Pagkalipas ng maraming taon, nang si Artaserses ang hari ng Persia, dumating si Ezra sa Jerusalem galing sa Babilonia. Si Ezra ay anak ni Seraya. Si Seraya ay anak ni Azaria. Si Azaria ay anak ni Hilkia. Si Hilkia ay anak ni Shalum. Si Shalum ay anak ni Zadok. Si Zadok ay anak ni Ahitub. Si Ahitub ay anak ni Amaria. Si Amaria ay anak ni Azaria. Si Azaria ay anak ni Merayot. Si Merayot ay anak ni Zerahia. Si Zerahia ay anak ni Uzi. Si Uzi ay anak ni Buki. Si Buki ay anak ni Abishua. Si Abishua ay anak ni Finehas. Si Finehas ay anak ni Eleazar. Si Eleazar ay anak ni Aaron na punong pari. Si Ezra ay isang tagapagturo na lubos ang kaalaman sa Kasulatan na ibinigay kay Moises ng Panginoon, ang Dios ng Israel. Ibinigay ng hari ang lahat ng hiniling niya dahil tinutulungan siya ng Panginoon na kanyang Dios.
What Does This Mean?
This verse introduces Ezra, a man who lived during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia. It traces his lineage back to Seraiah, Azariah, and Hilkiah. The verse sets the stage for the story of Ezra, highlighting his heritage.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're part of a big family, and everyone in your family has a special job. Ezra was like that. He was part of a family of special helpers to God, and this verse tells us about his family. It's like saying, 'This is who Ezra's family is, and he comes from a long line of special people.'
Historical Background
Ezra, a priest and scribe, wrote this passage about himself. The book of Ezra was written around the 5th century BC, during a time when Jewish exiles were returning to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. It was written for the Jewish community to remind them of their heritage and to guide them in rebuilding their lives in Jerusalem.
Living It Out Today
Today, when we think about our own family heritage, we can learn from Ezra's story. Just as Ezra was proud of his lineage and the work his ancestors did for God, we can also honor our family's contributions and strive to carry on their values in our own lives.
Ezra's lineage is important because it shows his connection to the priestly line, which was crucial for his role in leading the Jews back to Jerusalem and in restoring the religious practices.
What does the reign of Artaxerxes signify?
The reign of Artaxerxes signifies a time when the Jewish exiles were permitted to return to Jerusalem, making it a significant period for the rebuilding of the temple and the community.
How does Ezra's background influence his mission?
Ezra's background as a priest and his lineage give him a strong foundation of knowledge and authority, which he uses to guide and instruct the people in matters of faith and law.
What challenges might Ezra have faced?
Ezra would have faced challenges like rebuilding a community from scratch, restoring religious practices, and dealing with the political and social complexities of the time, especially with the returning exiles and the local population.