7:1–10:44 Review · The Second Mission: The Return under Ezra: Chapter 7 begins the second stage of the rebuilding of the community in Ezra-Nehemiah. Fifty-seven years have passed since the accounts of chapters 5 and 6. The author does not pretend to give a complete history of the period; rather, he chooses the events that were significant for the continuation of the Jewish community. Here he introduces Ezra.

7:1-10 · Ezra has all the necessary credentials for the mission assigned to him. The Jews have always emphasized their genealogy, but it was especially important for the priests and Levites, such as Ezra. The genealogy in 7:1–5 is similar to that of 1 Chronicles 6:3–14; however, it omits some names between Meraioth and Ezra. Seraiah was high priest in the time of King Zedekiah and wa…