Ezra 7:8
What does Ezra 7:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 7:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 7:8 means
This brief report marks the successful arrival in Jerusalem in the fifth month of Artaxerxes’ seventh year. It shows that the plan moved from intention to completion. The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem was long and hazardous, but the note is calm and factual, suggesting protection and order throughout. The timing implies careful planning and sustained perseverance by the travelers. By recording the specific month, the writer invites readers to see the precision of God’s providence and the disciplined leadership Ezra exercised. Arrival is not the end, however; it opens the door for the reforms and temple service that the subsequent decree will enable and clarify.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, in the seventh year of the king's rule.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And he cometh in to Jerusalem in the fifth month, that <FI>is in<Fi> the seventh year of the king,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, in the seventh year of the king.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.
Context
Verse 8 sits between the description of the company that went up (verse 7) and the explicit acknowledgment of God’s guiding hand on the journey (verse 9). It functions as a milestone, confirming that the project launched in Babylon achieved its first goal: reaching Jerusalem. This arrival sets the stage for why Ezra came—teaching and implementing God’s Law—supported by the royal authorization that will be quoted starting in verse 11. The orderly timing helps readers trust the coming measures as well-planned and God-blessed.
v.7And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
v.8This passage
v.9For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon; and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.