King James Version

What Does Ezra 7:9 Mean?

Ezra 7:9 in the King James Version says “For 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 h...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For 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. began: Heb. was the foundation of the going up”

Ezra 7:9 · KJV

Context

7

And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

8

And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king.

9

For 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. began: Heb. was the foundation of the going up

10

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

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.

Read Ezra 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The departure date—'upon the first day of the first month'—aligned with Israel's religious calendar (Nisan, the month of Passover and Exodus). This timing associated Ezra's journey with redemption theology. The arrival date—'the first day of the fifth month'—exactly four months later demonstrates both planning and providence. The statement 'according to the good hand of his God upon him' appears twice (vv. 6, 9), emphasizing divine favor as the true source of success.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Beginning travel on Nisan 1 (April) avoided winter rains and spring flooding. It also held symbolic significance—the month of Exodus and Passover, types of redemption. Ezra's journey thus recapitulated Israel's fundamental redemptive experience. The phrase 'good hand of his God' emphasizes not mere success but divine blessing and favor. This language appears throughout Ezra-Nehemiah, creating theological framework emphasizing providence over chance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does timing the journey to match Exodus patterns demonstrate biblical theology shaping practical decisions?
  2. What does repeated emphasis on God's 'good hand' teach about attributing success to divine grace rather than human merit?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
כִּ֗י1 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וּבְאֶחָ֞ד2 of 18

“For upon the first”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ3 of 18

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן4 of 18

“day of the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

ה֣וּא5 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יְסֻ֔ד6 of 18

“began”

H3246

a foundation (figuratively, i.e., beginning)

הַֽמַּעֲלָ֖ה7 of 18

“he to go up”

H4609

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

מִבָּבֶ֑ל8 of 18

“from Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וּבְאֶחָ֞ד9 of 18

“For upon the first”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ10 of 18

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַֽחֲמִישִׁ֗י11 of 18

“day of the fifth”

H2549

fifth; also a fifth

בָּ֚א12 of 18

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל13 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם14 of 18

“he to Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

כְּיַד15 of 18

“hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֱלֹהָ֖יו16 of 18

“of his God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

הַטּוֹבָ֥ה17 of 18

“according to the good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

עָלָֽיו׃18 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

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 7:9 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 7:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 7:6Nehemiah 2:8Nehemiah 2:18

Places in This Verse

BabyloniaRegion · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E15 verses across 2 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezra 7 →

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