Ezra 7:9

“For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, etc.] The month Nisan, answering to part of March and part of April; this was New Year’s day: and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem; the first of the month Ab, as in the preceding verse; so that he was just four months on his journey: according to the good hand of his God upon him; his power and providence, which gave him and his company health and strength, supplied them with everything necessary, directed, protected, and defended them, and brought them in safety to their journey’s end.”

“The direct distance of Babylon from Jerusalem is about 520 miles; and the circuitous route by Carchemish and the Orontes valley, which was ordinarily taken by armies or large bodies of men, is about 900 miles. The time occupied in the journey is long, and is perhaps to be accounted for by the dangers alluded to in Ezra 8:22, Ezra 8:31. return to 'Top of Page'”

“7:9 Ezra and his entourage had arranged to leave Babylon on April 8 but did not actually leave until April 19, 458 BC (8:31). In those intervening eleven days, he organized the group and assembled it at the Ahava Canal, searched for more Levites, and proclaimed a fast. • To make the 800-mile journey in four months, Ezra’s party would have walked an average of about ten miles per day, five days per week. Ezra knew that his success was attributable only to the gracious hand of his God (see also 7:6, 28; 8:22, 31).”

“began he to go up: Heb. was the foundation of the going up, according to. Ezr 7:6; Neh 2:8, Neh 2:18 Ezra 7:10”