King James Version

What Does Ezra 7:13 Mean?

Ezra 7:13 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezra 7:13 · KJV

Context

11

Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel.

12

Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. unto: or, to Ezra the priest, a perfect scribe of the law of the God of heaven, peace, etc

13

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.

14

Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand; of the king: Chaldee, from before the king

15

And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The decree—'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 free will to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee'—grants permission for voluntary emigration. The phrase 'of their free will' emphasizes that participation must be voluntary, not coerced. This respects human agency while providing divine authorization and imperial permission. True spiritual response requires willing hearts, not forced compliance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

By 458 BC, most Jews had lived in Babylon for three or four generations. Many had established successful lives, businesses, and community ties. Artaxerxes' permission allowed but didn't require return. Approximately 1,500 men responded (Ezra 8:1-14)—a small fraction of Babylon's Jewish population. This selective response demonstrates that genuine faith requires costly choice. Those who went abandoned security for uncertainty, showing faith in God's promises over present comfort.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the voluntary nature of return teach about authentic faith versus cultural or coerced religious affiliation?
  2. How does the small response demonstrate that true discipleship requires costly choice, not just convenient participation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
מִן1 of 16

“I”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

שִׂ֣ים2 of 16

“make”

H7761

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

טְעֵם֒3 of 16

“a decree”

H2942

properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)

דִּ֣י4 of 16
H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

כָל5 of 16

“that all”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִתְנַדַּ֣ב6 of 16

“which are minded of their own freewill”

H5069

be (or give) liberal(-ly)

בְּמַלְכוּתִי֩7 of 16

“in my realm”

H4437

dominion (abstractly or concretely)

מִן8 of 16

“I”

H4481

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of

עַמָּ֨ה9 of 16

“the people”

H5972

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל10 of 16

“of Israel”

H3479

isreal

וְכָֽהֲנ֣וֹהִי11 of 16

“and of his priests”

H3549

one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְלֵֽוָיֵ֗א12 of 16

“and Levites”

H3879

something attached, i.e., a wreath

יְהָֽךְ׃13 of 16

“go”

H1946

to go; causatively, to bring

לִֽירוּשְׁלֶ֛ם14 of 16

“to Jerusalem”

H3390

jerusalem

עִמָּ֖ךְ15 of 16

“with thee”

H5974

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יְהָֽךְ׃16 of 16

“go”

H1946

to go; causatively, to bring

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 7:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 6:12 Chronicles 30:5Psalms 148:6Esther 3:15Philippians 2:13Esther 9:14

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezra 7 →

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