Ezra 7 — Ezra's commission and thanksgiving — Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 7:17, 7:24, 7:26
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Ezra 7 — Ezra's commission and thanksgiving
7:1–10 — Ezra's lineage and devotion to the law
Verse 7:1 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:1 After these events, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:1 After these events, in the reign of Arthasastha king of the Persians, Esdras went up, son of Saraias, son of Azarias, son of Elkia,
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: G already states went up before the genealogy; H's main ascent verb follows at 7:6. Corresponding name forms are retained.
Verse 7:2 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:2 son of Saloum, son of Saddouk, son of Achitob,
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: The three corresponding generations retain their source name forms.
Verse 7:3 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:3 son of Samaria, son of Esria, son of Mareroth,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: These genealogical names differ, especially Amariah/Samaria and Azariah/Esria. G's names are not harmonized to H.
Verse 7:4 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:4 son of Zaraia, son of Saouia, son of Bokki,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The middle ancestor is Uzzi in H and Saouia in G; the other names have corresponding forms.
Verse 7:5 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest—
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:5 son of Abisoue, son of Phinees, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the first priest—
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both trace the lineage to Aaron. H calls him the head or chief priest; G uses first, allowing primacy and priority.
Verse 7:6 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:6 this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which YHWH, God of Israel, had given. The king granted him everything he requested, according to the hand of YHWH his God upon him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:6 this Esdras came up from Babylon. He was a skilled scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord, God of Israel, had given. The king granted him his requests, because the hand of the Lord his God was upon him in everything he sought.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both describe expertise in the Mosaic law and divine assistance behind the king's favorable response.
Verse 7:7 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:7 Some of the sons of Israel, the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers and the Nethinim went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:7 Some of the sons of Israel, the priests and the Levites, together with the singers, gatekeepers and Nathinim, went up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of Arthasastha the king.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The participant groups, destination and regnal year agree.
Verse 7:8 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, in the seventh year of the king.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:8 They came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, in the seventh year of the king.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H reports his arrival; G reports their arrival.
Verse 7:9 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:9 On the first day of the first month he began the ascent from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:9 On day one of the first month he laid the foundation for the ascent from Babylon; on the first day of the fifth month they came to Jerusalem, because the hand of his God was good upon him.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both give the same departure and arrival dates. G preserves a foundation metaphor for beginning the expedition and again has plural arrival.
Verse 7:10 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:10 For Ezra had set his heart to seek the law of YHWH, to do it, and to teach statute and judgment in Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:10 For Esdras had set it in his heart to seek the law, to do it, and to teach ordinances and judgments in Israel.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both order seeking, doing and teaching together. H explicitly names YHWH as the law's possessor; G has the law without that title here.
7:11–20 — The royal commission and the offerings
Verse 7:11 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:11 This is the copy of the document that King Artaxerxes gave Ezra the priest, the scribe, a scribe of the words of YHWH's commandments and His statutes for Israel:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:11 This is the account of the decree that Arthasastha gave Esdras the priest, the scribe of the book of the words of the Lord's commandments and His ordinances for Israel:
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: G calls the document a decree and introduces book within Ezra's scribal description; the priestly and legal roles correspond.
Verse 7:12 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:12 [Aramaic] “Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven, fully qualified. And now:
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:12 “Arthasastha, king of kings, to Esdras, scribe of the law of the God of heaven: The word and the answer are completed.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H begins the second Aramaic section. Gemir, complete, is provisionally read as qualifying the scribe; an elliptical formula of complete greeting is also possible. G omits priest here and gives its own completed word and answer formula. Neither uncertainty is concealed by supplying an unmarked conventional salutation.
Verse 7:13 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:13 [Aramaic] I have issued an order that anyone in my kingdom from the people of Israel, their priests and the Levites who freely wishes to go to Jerusalem with you may go.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:13 I have issued a decision that anyone in my kingdom from the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites who freely wishes to go to Jerusalem is to go with you.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both authorize voluntary travel with Ezra for the named groups.
Verse 7:14 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:14 [Aramaic] For you are sent by the king and his seven advisers to investigate Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of your God that is in your hand,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:14 He has been sent from the king and the seven advisers to inspect Judea and Jerusalem by the law of their God that is in your hand,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: G has a third-person sending construction and their God where H addresses you and your God. Both retain seven advisers and the law in Ezra's hand.
Verse 7:15 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:15 [Aramaic] and to carry the silver and gold that the king and his advisers have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:15 and, for the Lord's house, silver and gold that the king and the advisers have freely offered to the God of Israel who dwells in Jerusalem,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H explicitly commissions carrying the gift. G introduces for the Lord's house in a compressed continuation without that carrying verb. Divine dwelling and voluntary royal gifts agree.
Verse 7:16 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:16 [Aramaic] and all the silver and gold you find throughout the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people and priests who freely offer for the house of their God in Jerusalem.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:16 and all the silver and gold you may find throughout the country of Babylon, with the voluntary offering of the people and priests who freely offer for the house of God in Jerusalem,
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both add the contributions collected in Babylon. The source references preserve the continuing Greek sentence.
Verse 7:17 Disparate
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:17 [Aramaic] Therefore, with this silver diligently buy bulls, rams and lambs, with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:17 and everything that comes in—readily enter this in this book: young bulls, rams, lambs, their sacrifices and their drink offerings. You shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: H commands purchase with the silver. G commands entering the incoming provision in this book, with an awkward demonstrative construction preserved rather than converted into buying. Both continue with altar offerings; G's sacrifices is broader than H's accompanying grain offerings.
Verse 7:18 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:18 [Aramaic] Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, do according to the will of your God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:18 Whatever seems good to you and your brothers to do with the remaining silver and gold, do as is pleasing to your God.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: Both grant discretion over the remaining funds under divine approval.
Verse 7:19 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:19 [Aramaic] The vessels given to you for the service of the house of your God, deliver before the God of Jerusalem.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:19 The vessels given to you for the service of God's house, hand over before God in Jerusalem.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: H says God of Jerusalem; G says before God in Jerusalem. Both direct delivery of the service vessels.
Verse 7:20 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:20 [Aramaic] Whatever else your God's house needs that falls to you to supply, provide from the king's treasury house.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:20 Whatever remaining need of your God's house seems to you to require giving, you shall give from the king's treasury houses.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both authorize additional expenditure. H has one treasury house; G has plural treasury houses.
7:21–26 — Treasury provision, exemptions and judicial authority
Verse 7:21 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:21 [Aramaic] I, Artaxerxes the king, have issued an order to all the treasurers in Beyond the River: whatever Ezra the priest, scribe of the law of the God of heaven, asks of you is to be done diligently,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:21 I, Arthasastha the king, have issued a decision to all the treasuries beyond the river: whatever Esdras the priest and scribe of the law of the God of heaven asks of you, let it be provided readily,
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H addresses treasury officials; G addresses the treasuries. Both identify Ezra's priestly and scribal authority.
Verse 7:22 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:22 [Aramaic] up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred kors of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, one hundred baths of oil, and salt without a written limit.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:22 up to one hundred talents of silver, one hundred kors of wheat, one hundred bads of wine, one hundred bads of oil, and salt for which there is no written amount.
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: The four numerical ceilings and unlimited salt agree. G retains borrowed kor and bad measures; bad corresponds to H bath here, without an asserted modern capacity.
Verse 7:23 Divergent
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:23 [Aramaic] Whatever the God of heaven commands is to be carried out exactly for the house of the God of heaven. Why should wrath come upon the kingdom of the king and his sons?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:23 Let everything in the decision of the God of heaven be done. Take care that no one attempts anything against the house of the God of heaven, lest wrath come upon the kingdom of the king and his sons.
Classification & Notes
Divergent. Text: G adds an explicit warning against action against the sanctuary; H gives exact compliance and a rhetorical question about wrath. Both connect the royal household's welfare to the divine command.
Verse 7:24 Disparate
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:24 [Aramaic] We also inform you that no tribute, tax or toll may be imposed on any of the priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nethinim or servants of this house of God.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:24 It has also been made known to you: from any priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, Nathinim or ministers of this house of God, let there be no tax for you; you shall have no authority to enslave them.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: H exempts the named personnel from three fiscal charges. G states a tax exemption and explicitly denies authority to enslave them, adding a legal protection not expressly stated in H.
Verse 7:25 Different
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:25 [Aramaic] You, Ezra, according to the wisdom of your God that is in your hand, appoint magistrates and judges to judge all the people in Beyond the River, all who know the laws of your God; and teach those who do not know.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:25 You, Esdras, according to the wisdom of God in your hand, appoint scribes and judges to judge all the people beyond the river, all who know the law of your God; and you shall make it known to the one who does not know.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: H's first appointed group is magistrates; G's is scribes. Both connect judicial appointment with legal knowledge and instruction, without erasing the qualifying all who know.
Verse 7:26 Disparate
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:26 [Aramaic] For anyone who does not carry out the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed diligently against him, whether death, banishment, a penalty upon property, or imprisonment.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:26 For anyone who does not readily carry out the law of God and the law of the king, judgment shall be executed against him, whether death, discipline, loss of property, or bonds.”
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: H's uprooting penalty is rendered banishment, with its exact scope uncertain; G has paideia, discipline or punishment, without specifying exile. G attaches readily to obedience where H attaches diligence to judgment. The death, property and confinement alternatives remain in both.
7:27–28 — Ezra blesses God
Verse 7:27 Same
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:27 Blessed be YHWH, the God of our fathers, who put such a thing in the king's heart, to beautify the house of YHWH in Jerusalem,
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:27 Blessed be the Lord, the God of our fathers, who put it thus in the king's heart, to glorify the Lord's house in Jerusalem,
Classification & Notes
Same. Text: H returns to Hebrew. Both bless God for the royal intention to honor the sanctuary.
Verse 7:28 Similar
Hebrew/Aramaic–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
7:28 and extended steadfast love to me before the king, his advisers and all the king's mighty officials. I took courage, according to the hand of YHWH my God upon me, and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
Esdras B 7:28 and inclined mercy toward me in the eyes of the king, his advisers and all the king's exalted officials. I was strengthened, as the good hand of God was upon me, and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both shift to Ezra's first-person thanksgiving. H has mighty officials and the hand of YHWH my God; G has exalted officials and God's good hand. The final gathering agrees.