Ezra 7:13
What does Ezra 7:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 7:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 7:13 means
The king grants voluntary emigration for any Israelites, priests, and Levites in his realm who desire to return with Ezra. This respects conscience and willingness, avoiding forced relocation. It ensures that those who go are truly committed to the work in Jerusalem. Including priests and Levites underscores the temple’s renewal as central to the mission. The king’s wide permission shows trust in Ezra’s leadership and recognition that a healthy religious center in Jerusalem can contribute to stability in the province. Freedom to return, under godly leadership, is a gracious reversal of exile and a tangible expression of God’s mercy working through a foreign ruler.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, that are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, that are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And now it is my order that all those of the people of Israel, and their priests and Levites in my kingdom, who are ready and have a desire to go to Jerusalem, are to go with you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862By me hath been made a decree that every one who is willing, in my kingdom, of the people of Israel and of its priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem with thee, doth go;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752It is decreed by me, that all they of the people of Israel, and of the priests and of the Levites in my realm, that are minded to go into Jerusalem, should go with thee.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I have given orders that all they of the people of Israel, and of their priests and the Levites, in my realm, who are disposed to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.
Context
This is the first substantive provision after the salutation. By opening the way for willing returnees, the king initiates population and staffing support for the temple and community. The decree will next define Ezra’s investigative commission (verse 14) and outline the financial gifts for the temple (verses 15–16). The sequence moves from people to purpose to provision, explaining how the mission will be populated, authorized, and funded under imperial auspices.
v.12Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect and so forth.
v.13This passage
v.14Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king and his seven counsellors, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thy hand,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 148:6
He hath also established them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass away.
- Ezra 5:13
But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree to build this house of God.
- Esther 9:14
And the king commanded it so to be done: and a decree was given out in Shushan; and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.
- Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely.
- Philippians 2:13
for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
- 2 Chronicles 30:5
So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem: for they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written.