The length of time that passes between the events in the previous verses and this action is not indicated.

A proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles: A notice was sent for all the men who had returned from exile to come to Jerusalem. The proclamation was an oral message carried throughout Judah and Jerusalem. It was communicated throughout the city of Jerusalem and the area around Jerusalem. The ones who sent the notice were “the officials and the elders” mentioned in the next verse. For returned exiles, see Ezra 4.1.

They should assemble at Jerusalem: The notice was for the people to assemble in Jerusalem. This was for an assembly to conduct legal business. The nature of the assembly was to allow everyone to give their opinions after which the authorities would make their decisions.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Ezra. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .