There is some conflict among commentators concerning the historical placement of events. Some take the position chapters seven and eight are about a year after the events of the chapter six and the completion of the Temple.
Contextually, that certainly is plausible. However, others based upon historical details pertaining to the kings of Persia place this time approximately 58 years later or about B.C. 458. The conflict centers around exactly who is the Artaxerxes mentioned. Part of the problem rests in how the name Artaxerxes had become a generic title of Persian kings similar to the Roman use of the name/title, Caesar. Most recent commentators take the position this Artaxerxes was one who ruled later than at the time in chapter 6 and that’s why the interval of 58 years.
Insight into understanding these two chapters is in noting that the first ten verses of chapter 7 present a summary of the greater mission which is detailed in the rest of chapter 7 and through chapter 8. From Ezra’s perspective, the first six chapters of this book are historical. The final four are autobiographical.
I. Ezra Sent to Teach the PeopleEzr 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
Ezr 7:2 The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,
Ezr 7:3 The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,
Ezr 7:4 The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,
Ezr 7:5 The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:
Though the context would seem to suggest a rather short interval after chapter six, we will proceed with the assumption that these proceedings took place 58 years later. Ezra here presents his priestly pedigree, establishing his lineage back to Eleazar the son of Aaron.
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