New King James Version
Ezra 7:13
13I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you.
Ezra 7:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)I 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.
- New International Version (NIV)Now I decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including priests and Levites, who volunteer to go to Jerusalem with you, may go.
- English Standard Version (ESV)I make a decree that anyone of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom, who freely offers to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.
- New Living Translation (NLT)“I decree that any of the people of Israel in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may volunteer to return to Jerusalem with you.
Context of Ezra 7:13
11This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest, the scribe, expert in the words of the commandments of the Lord, and of His statutes to Israel: 12Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Perfect peace, and so forth. I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you. 14And whereas you are being sent by the king and his seven counselors to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, with regard to the Law of your God which is in your hand; 15and whereas you are to carry the silver and gold which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem;
Read all of Ezra 7Ezra 7:13 word by word
מִנִּי֮ שִׂ֣ים טְעֵם֒ דִּ֣י כָל־מִתְנַדַּ֣ב בְּמַלְכוּתִי֩ מִן־עַמָּ֨ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל וְכָהֲנ֣וֹהִי וְלֵוָיֵ֗א לִמְהָ֧ךְ לִֽירוּשְׁלֶ֛ם עִמָּ֖ךְ יְהָֽךְ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Iמִן־min · fromH4481
- makeשׂוּםώûm · to set: makeH7761
- a decreeטְעֵםţe‛êm · commandH2942
- that allכֹּלkôl · allH3606
- the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5972
- of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3479
- his priestsכָּהֵןkâhên · priestH3549
- and Levitesלֵוָיlêvîy · LeviteH3879
- in my realmמַלְכוּmalkû · kingdomH4437
- which are minded of their own freewillנְדַבnedab · be willingH5069
- to go upהוּךְhûk · to goH1946
- to Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵםyerûshâlêm · JerusalemH3390
- with theeעִם‛im · withH5974
Cross-references for Ezra 7:13
- Ezra 5:13However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to build this house of God.
- Ezra 6:1Then King Darius issued a decree, and a search was made in the archives, where the treasures were stored in Babylon.
- 2 Chronicles 30:5So they resolved to make a proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem, since they had not done it for a long time in the prescribed manner.
- Esther 3:15The couriers went out, hastened by the king’s command; and the decree was proclaimed in Shushan the citadel. So the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed.
- Esther 9:14So the king commanded this to be done; the decree was issued in Shushan, and they hanged Haman’s ten sons.
- Psalms 148:6He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away.
- Ezra 1:3Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.
- Psalms 110:3Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth.
- Philippians 2:13for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
- Revelation 22:17And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Commentaries on Ezra 7:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Their own free-will - None shall be forced either to go or to stay. He who loves his God will avail himself of this favorable opportunity.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-26Verses 11-26 The liberality of heathen kings to support the worship of God, reproached the conduct of many kings of Judah, and will rise up in judgment against the covetousness of wealthy professed Christians, who will not promote the cause of God. But the weapons of Christian ministers are not carnal. Faithful preaching, holy lives, fervent prayers, and patient suffering when called to it, are the means to bring men into obedience to Christ.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-26In this letter, King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the authority to assess the situation in Jerusalem (Ezra 7:14), offer voluntary gifts to God (7:15–20), acquire supplies and funds from local leaders (7:21–24), and implement legal reforms (7:25–26).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-2611. this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave--The measure which this document authorized, and the remarkable interest in the Jews displayed in it, were most probably owing to the influence of Esther, who is thought to have been raised to the high position of queen a few months previous to the departure of Ezra [Hales]. According to others, who adopt a different chronology, it was more probably pressed upon the attention of the Persian…Read the comment
Topics related to Ezra 7:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ezra 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries