Ezra 7:24
Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them. Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.
It declares that no toll, tribute, or custom may lawfully be laid upon any of the priests and Levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants, or other ministers of the house of God, thus restoring the priesthood to its ancient rites and privileges. This exemption belongs to the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus issued in 457 B.C. in the seventh year of his reign, the third and final decree for restoring and building Jerusalem, which accompanied Ezra's return. In Ezra 7:12-26 that commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem stands in its completest form, with the decrees of Cyrus and Darius originating and reaffirming it and the decree of Artaxerxes completing it, together counted as one continuing decree. Its completed date of B.C. 457 marks the beginning of the 2300 years of Daniel 8:14 and of the seventy weeks cut off from them as the first 490 years of that period. Taking 457 from 2300 leaves 1843 as the close of the prophetic period, and because the decree went forth late in the year the period was understood to reach to the fall of 1844.
Decree's Context and Exemption
Ezra 7:24 belongs to the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus issued in 457 B.C. in the seventh year of his reign for the restoring and building of Jerusalem. It was the third and final decree issued since the close of the seventy years' captivity, and it accompanied Ezra's return. The decree is remarkable for its expressions regarding the God of heaven, for its recognition of Ezra, and for the liberality of its grants to the remnant people of God.
In giving permission for the Israelites to return, Artaxerxes arranged for the restoration of the members of the priesthood to their ancient rites and privileges. He forbade laying tax, tribute, or duty upon any of the priests and Levites, singers, gatekeepers or porters, Nethinims or temple servants, or other ministers of the house of God. That exemption supported the restoration of Israel's worship and the service of the house of God, and the decree accompanied the reorganization of the temple services.
The king's support for the temple and for the Jews' return gave the people another opportunity to serve God in their own country, showing God's forbearance toward them. The marked favor was granted after Ezra declared perfect trust in the God of Israel as abundantly able to protect and care for His people. Ezra desired to return to Jerusalem to revive interest in the study of God's word and to assist his brethren in restoring the holy city that they might serve Jehovah.
The king was deeply impressed and had great confidence in the integrity of Ezra. Therefore he granted his request, bestowed on him rich gifts for the temple service, made him a special representative of the Medo-Persian kingdom, and conferred on him extensive powers for carrying out the purposes in his heart.
Prophecy's Starting Point
Ezra 7, in 7:12-26, contains the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem in its completest form. The decrees of Cyrus and Darius originated and re-affirmed that commandment, while the decree of Artaxerxes completed it and brought it to the perfection required by prophecy. Together they are counted as one continuing decree. The completed decree went forth in B.C. 457 and gives the starting point from which the 2300 years are counted.
That date of B.C. 457 marks the beginning of the 2300 years or days of Daniel 8:14 and of the seventy weeks cut off from them as the first 490 years of that period. Taking B.C. 457, when the decree was completed, as the date of the commandment gives the starting-point for the 2300 days and the seventy weeks cut off from them. Every specification of the prophecy concerning the seventy weeks is fulfilled from that date. Taking 457 from 2300 leaves 1843 as the year for the close of the prophetic period. That period was expected to terminate in 1843 with the coming of the Lord. The calculation from that date is so simple and plain that even children could understand it.
Because the decree was issued late in the year, near the end of 457 B.C., the period was understood to reach to the fall of 1844, not to close at the end of 1843.