[Chapter 6 ended with the temple finally being dedicated in 516 BC by the first group that returned from exile. Chapter 7 picks up 58 years later (458 BC), see . Zerubbabel had led the first group, and now, 80 years later, Ezra leads the second group back. Eventually, Nehemiah will lead the third group (444 BC), see .]
Now, after all this, during the reign of Artaxerxes (Hebr. Artachshasta), king of Persia, Ezra, son of Seraiah, son of Azariah (Hebr. Azarjah), son of Hilkiah,
