71 Now after this, in the reign of Ar-ta-xerx'es king of Persia, Ezra the son of Serai'ah, son of Azari'ah, son of Hilki'ah, 2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahi'tub, 3 son of Amari'ah, son of Azari'ah, son of Merai'oth, 4 son of Zerahi'ah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5 son of Abi'shu-a, son of Phin'ehas, son of Elea'zar, son of Aaron the chief priest-- 6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the law of Moses which the Lord the God of Israel had given; and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was upon him. 7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Ar-ta-xerx'es the king, some of the people of Israel, and some of the priests and Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple servants. 8 And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king; 9 for on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, for the good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach his statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 7:1-10
Commentary on Ezra 7:1-10
(Read Ezra 7:1-10)
Ezra went from Babylon to Jerusalem, for the good of his country. The king was kind to him; he granted all his requests, whatever Ezra desired to enable him to serve his country. When he went, many went with him; he obtained favour from his king, by the Divine favour. Every creature is that to us, which God makes it to be. We must see the hand of God in the events that befal us, and acknowledge him with thankfulness.