Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Ezra 7:13. Itās a really important passage that tells us about a significant event in the early history of Israel. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that God is sending instructions to the leaders of Israel ā the priests and Levites ā to help them go up to Jerusalem for a special festival. Itās like giving them a clear direction and a plan. Letās unpack it word by word: āEzra 7:13 I make a decreeā¦ā - This means Ezra is speaking as an official, conveying a command from God. āā¦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 Jerusalemā¦ā ā This is where it gets a little more complex. Let's break that down further: āall they of the people of Israelā : This refers to every single person within Israel, from every corner of the land. āā¦and [of] his priests and Levitesā¦ā : This specifically names the leaders of the priestly and Levite communities ā those who were responsible for carrying out rituals and ceremonies related to Godās presence. "...in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalemā : This is the key part! āRealmā refers to God's kingdom or His divine presence. āMinded of their own freewillā means they were willing and desired to go to Jerusalem. Putting it all together: Ezra is giving instructions to the priests and Levites to help them travel to Jerusalem for a festival. Itās saying that these leaders are allowed to go, but they must do so with the permission and guidance of God. It's a message of hope ā that God is allowing people to participate in His presence and worship. Why itās important: This verse is significant because it shows that after a period of turmoil and possibly a loss of faith, God was actively working to restore his relationship with Israel through these leaders. It signifies a renewed focus on worship and returning to the traditions of the past. In essence, this verse describes a carefully orchestrated plan for a significant religious event. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points further? Give you more context about Ezra or the time period?