Ezra 7:13
New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
“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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem.

King James Bible
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 King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

NASB 1995
I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

NASB 1977
I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

Legacy Standard Bible
I have issued a decree that any of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who freely offer to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

Amplified Bible
I have issued a decree that all of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my kingdom who are willing to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

Christian Standard Bible
I issue a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I issue a decree that any of the Israelites in my kingdom, including their priests and Levites, who want to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

American Standard Version
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, that are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.

English Revised Version
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I have issued a decree that any Israelites who are in my kingdom and want to go with you to Jerusalem may go. This also includes the priests and Levites.

Good News Translation
"I command that throughout my empire all the Israelite people, priests, and Levites that so desire be permitted to go with you to Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
I hereby decree that all of the people of Israel— along with their priests and descendants of Levi in my kingdom—who are determined to return to Jerusalem with you may do so.

Majority Standard Bible
I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem.

NET Bible
I have now issued a decree that anyone in my kingdom from the people of Israel--even the priests and Levites--who wishes to do so may go up with you to Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
I make a decree, that all those of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, who are minded of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you.

Webster's Bible Translation
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, who are disposed of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with thee.

World English Bible
I make a decree that all those of the people of Israel and their priests and the Levites in my realm, who intend of their own free will to go to Jerusalem, go with you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
By me has been made a decree that everyone who is willing, in my kingdom, of the people of Israel and of its priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem with you, go;

Young's Literal Translation
By me hath been made a decree that every one who is willing, in my kingdom, of the people of Israel and of its priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem with thee, doth go;

Smith's Literal Translation
A decree was set from me that all being willing in my kingdom, from the people of Israel and his priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem, shall go with thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It is decreed by me, that all they of the people of Israel, and of the priests and of the Levites in my realm, that are minded to go into Jerusalem, should go with thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It has been decreed by me, that whosoever wishes, among the people of Israel and their priests and Levites within my kingdom, to go to Jerusalem, may go with you.

New American Bible
I have issued this decree, that anyone in my kingdom belonging to the people of Israel, its priests or Levites, who is willing to go up to Jerusalem with you, may go,

New Revised Standard Version
I decree that any of the people of Israel or their priests or Levites in my kingdom who freely offers to go to Jerusalem may go with you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have issued a decree and made a statute that any one of the people of Israel and of the priests and Levites in my realm who wishes to go up to Jerusalem with you may go.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I have commanded and I have established a law that everyone whoever desires to go with you, of the people of Israel and of the Priests and of the Levites in my kingdom, they may go.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and their priests and the Levites, in my realm, that are minded of their own free will to go with thee to Jerusalem, go.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A decree is made by me, that every one who is willing in my kingdom of the people of Israel, and of the priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem, be permitted to go with thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Artaxerxes' Letter for Ezra
12Artaxerxes, king of kings. To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Greetings. 13I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem. 14You are sent by the king and his seven counselors to evaluate Judah and Jerusalem according to the Law of your God, which is in your hand.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 2:7-9
I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. / And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. / Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.

Esther 3:12-13
On the thirteenth day of the first month, the royal scribes were summoned and the order was written exactly as Haman commanded the royal satraps, the governors of each province, and the officials of each people, in the script of each province and the language of every people. It was written in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the royal signet ring. / And the letters were sent by couriers to each of the royal provinces with the order to destroy, kill, and annihilate all the Jews—young and old, women and children—and to plunder their possessions on a single day, the thirteenth day of Adar, the twelfth month.

Daniel 6:25-27
Then King Darius wrote to the people of every nation and language throughout the land: “May your prosperity abound. / I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. / He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

2 Chronicles 30:1-6
Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to keep the Passover of the LORD, the God of Israel. / For the king and his officials and the whole assembly in Jerusalem had decided to keep the Passover in the second month, / since they had been unable to keep it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem. ...

2 Chronicles 36:22-23
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Isaiah 45:13
I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.”

Jeremiah 29:10-14
For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. / For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. / Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ...

Jeremiah 50:4-5
“In those days and at that time, declares the LORD, the children of Israel and the children of Judah will come together, weeping as they come, and will seek the LORD their God. / They will ask the way to Zion and turn their faces toward it. They will come and join themselves to the LORD in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.

Zechariah 2:6-7
“Get up! Get up! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you like the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD. / “Get up, O Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the Daughter of Babylon!”

Acts 15:22-29
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers, / and sent them with this letter: The apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. / It has come to our attention that some went out from us without our authorization and unsettled you, troubling your minds by what they said. ...

Acts 18:27
When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

Acts 23:26-30
Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. / This man was seized by the Jews, and they were about to kill him when I came with my troops to rescue him. For I had learned that he is a Roman citizen, / and since I wanted to understand their charges against him, I brought him down to their Sanhedrin. ...

Acts 25:25-27
But I found he had done nothing worthy of death, and since he has now appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. / I have nothing definite to write to our sovereign about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this inquiry I may have something to write. / For it seems unreasonable to me to send on a prisoner without specifying the charges against him.”

Romans 13:1-7
Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...

1 Corinthians 16:3-4
Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. / And if it is advisable for me to go also, they can travel with me.


Treasury of Scripture

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 you.

I make

Ezra 5:13
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

Ezra 6:1
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.

2 Chronicles 30:5
So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.

minded

Ezra 1:3
Who is there among you of all his people? 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 the God,) which is in Jerusalem.

Psalm 110:3
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Jump to Previous
Decree Desire Disposed Free Freely Freewill Including Israel Israelites Issued Jerusalem Kingdom Levites Minded Offers Order Orders Priests Ready Realm Willing
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Decree Desire Disposed Free Freely Freewill Including Israel Israelites Issued Jerusalem Kingdom Levites Minded Offers Order Orders Priests Ready Realm Willing
Ezra 7
1. Ezra goes up to Jerusalem
11. The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra
27. Ezra blesses God for this favor














I hereby decree
This phrase introduces a royal edict, underscoring the authority and power of the Persian king, Artaxerxes. In the historical context, decrees from kings were binding and carried significant weight. The Hebrew word for "decree" (טְעֵם, te‘em) reflects a command or decision that is not to be questioned, highlighting the sovereignty of the king. This decree is pivotal as it sets the stage for Ezra's mission to Jerusalem, emphasizing the divine orchestration behind political events.

that any of the Israelites
This phrase refers to the Jewish people, descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. Historically, the Israelites had been in exile in Babylon, and this decree marks a significant moment in their return to their homeland. The term "Israelites" connects them to their covenant identity as God's chosen people, reminding readers of the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

in my kingdom
Artaxerxes' kingdom was vast, stretching from India to Ethiopia, encompassing many peoples and cultures. The phrase highlights the inclusivity of the decree, allowing any Israelite within this expansive empire to return. It also reflects the historical reality of the Persian Empire's policy of religious tolerance and support for local customs and religions.

who is willing to go to Jerusalem
This phrase emphasizes the voluntary nature of the return. The Hebrew root for "willing" (נָדַב, nadab) suggests a freewill offering or a voluntary decision, indicating that the return to Jerusalem was not coerced but a matter of personal conviction and desire. This reflects the spiritual renewal and commitment of those who chose to return to rebuild the temple and restore worship.

may go with you
The phrase "may go with you" signifies the king's support for Ezra's leadership. Ezra, a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, was chosen to lead this group back to Jerusalem. The king's endorsement of Ezra underscores the divine favor and providence at work, as God uses a foreign king to fulfill His purposes for His people. This phrase also highlights the communal aspect of the journey, as it was not just an individual endeavor but a collective return to their spiritual roots.

Verse 13. - All they of the people of Israel. The decree of Artaxerxes is as wide in its terms as the proclamation of Cyrus (Ezra 1:3), and gives permission not to the Jews only, but to all Israelites of whatever tribe, to accompany Ezra to Jerusalem. That Israelites of all the tribes actually went up to Jerusalem on the occasion seems indicated by the "twelve bullocks for all Israel," which those who returned with Ezra offered on their arrival to the "God of Israel" (see Ezra 8:35).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I
מִנִּי֮ (min·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4481: From, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than

hereby
שִׂ֣ים (śîm)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7761: To set, make

decree
טְעֵם֒ (ṭə·‘êm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2942: Flavor, judgment, account

that
דִּ֣י (dî)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 1768: Who, which, that, because

any
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3606: The whole, all, any, every

volunteers
מִתְנַדַּ֣ב (miṯ·nad·daḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5069: To volunteer, offer freely

among the Israelites
עַמָּ֨ה (‘am·māh)
Noun - masculine singular determinate
Strong's 5972: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

in my kingdom,
בְּמַלְכוּתִי֩ (bə·mal·ḵū·ṯî)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4437: Royalty, reign, kingdom

including the priests
וְכָהֲנ֣וֹהִי (wə·ḵā·hă·nō·w·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3549: Priest

and Levites,
וְלֵוָיֵ֗א (wə·lê·wā·yê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3879: Levites -- descendants of Levi

may go up
יְהָֽךְ׃ (yə·hāḵ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1946: Bring again, come, go up

with you
עִמָּ֖ךְ (‘im·māḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5974: With, equally with

to Jerusalem.
לִֽירוּשְׁלֶ֛ם (lî·rū·šə·lem)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel


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OT History: Ezra 7:13 I make a decree that all those (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 7:12
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