God used three persian kings, cyrus, darius, and artaxerxes, to bring this to pass, as well as jewish leaders such as. The two books really form one, and the old hebrew bible grouped them both under the title of the book of ezra. The book could not have been completed earlier than about 450 bc the date of the events recorded in 10. The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the long captivity to rebuild the city, walls, and temple. But the people who lived near them did not want the jews back in the land. The same man wrote both books ezra and nehemiah are one book in the hebrew canon. The book of ezra opens with the same wording that closes the book of chronicles 2 chronicles 36. The book of nehemiah jerusalem walls summary overview. In the hebrew bible ezra and nehemiah are regarded as one book. The books of ezra and nehemiah were written during his reign. The books in the bible devoted to those historical events are named for these brave and mighty men and women.
The book of ezra was originally combined with the book of nehemiah and served as a continuation of first and second chronicles. They are the last of the historical books in the old testament. It is, however, believed that ezra did write that book and its known that it originally was part of a larger book that included the books of nehemiah and chronicles. The book of ezra records two separate time periods directly following the seventy years of babylonian captivity. Chronological order for ezrahaggaizechariahnehemiah. Watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each books flow of thought. Ezra 8 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. The book of ezra covers the return from captivity to rebuild the temple up to the decree of artaxerxes, the event covered at the beginning of the book of nehemiah. Aug 02, 2017 much of what is recorded in the book of nehemiah is thought to have comes from personal writings of nehemiah. The book of ezra provides an account of the jews regathering, of their struggle to survive and to rebuild what had been destroyed. Greg lives in calgary alberta, canada with his wife and 4 kids. If we compare the last verses of 2 chronicles chap. Be more like ezra klein why were polarized is the first book from the wonkish wunderkind turned media mogul.
The jews return from babylonian exile, rebuilding temple. The book of ezra records the fulfillment of gods promise to restore israel to her land after the 70 years of captivity in babylon jer. Feb 12, 2020 ezra kleins solution to cure what ails america. The vulgate established the division and daniel bombergs hebrew edition of 1517 went along with this.
Since the history is so closely related, and even overlapped, this overview and summary of the books of ezra and nehemiah are offered together. The book of ezra the name ezra meaning help therefore is the sequence to the chronicles in regard to history and in regard to contents. Returning with ezra were groups of people corresponding to the groups in zerubbabels return chap. God used three persian kings, cyrus, darius, and artaxerxes, to bring this to pass, as well as jewish leaders such as zerubbabel, joshua, haggai, zechariah, and ezra.
The events in ezra are set in jerusalem and the surrounding area. Xerxes this is the ahasuerus of the book of esther. They tell us of the repopulation of palestine by the jews, the rebuilding of the temple, and the reconstruction of the wall of jerusalem. In the ancient hebrew manuscripts the books of ezra and nehemiah were written as if they were one.
Nehemiah, who was a contemporary or served around the same time as ezra, was a cupbearer to the king in the persian empire. It is interesting to note that once ezra appears on the scene in chapter 7, the author of the book of ezra switches from writing in the third person to first person. Ezra gathered the people of jerusalem and read before the assembly the book of the law of moses which the lord prescribed for israel nehemiah 8. The books of haggai and zechariah should be read and studied with the book of ezra, for all three books were written in the shadow of the rebuilt temple, and were given to encourage the people in building. Inspired by gods spirit, he tells the israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple. For the connection between this book and ezra, see ezra overview and outline. Dec 12, 2018 the book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. In hebrew manuscripts you will find these two books recorded as one. Yet if we do not pause and contemplate the historical events as a whole we may miss out on information that may encourages us today. Preach on topics including the restoration of israel, covenant renewal, and the rebuilding and completion of the temple. The book is named after its principal character, ezra, although ezra is not mentioned in the book as the author. Did god give his people more or less than they deserved.
Nehemiah focuses on rebuilding the city of jerusalem. Not all the jews returned to judah, but some did return. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. The book is comprised of an approximately 80year time frame in which ezra reveals that god has fulfilled his promise to cause the jews to return to jerusalem cf. The books of ezra and nehemiah provide our primary source of information about the 100 years following the babylonian captivity.
The book of ezra does not name its author, but jewish tradition says ezra wrote it as well as the books of nehemiah and chronicles. Ezra dedicated the temple but was not happy with the jews marrying pagan foreign wives. This account weaves together several categories of. Outline of ezra free bible outlines bible study start. The books of ezra and nehemiah originally were regarded by the jews as a single work, and a general introduction must treat them together. Ezra comes to jerusalem 110 artaxerxes letter to ezra 1126 ezra praises jehovah 27, 28 8. Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. Book of ezra covers the events of the jews returning from the babylonian captivity. He eventually chose esther as his queen, and by her influence the jews were saved from destruction. Both form the story of how god reestablishes israel in the land he promised to her. As the curtain rises and the orchestra dramatically swells, king cyrus of persia has just defeated the babylonians. Title even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the.
Our sermon ideas on ezra will help you preach a powerful message on the god who keeps his promises. His name means help, and his whole life was dedicated to serving god and gods people. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezras prayer of confession 515 10. Ezra bible study outlinecontents by chapter and verse. Ezra 16 recounts events that occurred long before ezras time. Judah has returned from babylonian captivity after 70 years. Free access to sermons on book of ezra, church sermons, illustrations on book of ezra, and powerpoints for preaching on book of ezra. What happened while ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping. Haggai was the main prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah. Tradition says that ezra wrote most of first chronicles and second chronicles, ezra, nehemiah, and psalm 119 and that he led the council of 120 men who formed the old testament canon. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. Haggai was the leading prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah. Many years later, the army from persia defeated the army from babylon.
List of exiles who returned 167 temple servants 4354 sons of the servants of solomon 5557 voluntary offerings for the temple 6870 3. The books of haggai and zechariah should be read and studied with the book of ezra, for all three were written in the shadow of the rebuilt temple and were given to. Ezra records the initial return of zerubbabel and ezra, the rebuilding of the temple, and ezras reforms. This book, as was true in the book of ezra, has copies of letters, decrees, registers and other documents. Much of what is recorded in the book of nehemiah is thought to have comes from personal writings of nehemiah. Every book of the bible outlined in section headings. Ezra, the high priest, is the one person who is notable in the books of ezra and nehemiah. Ezra 710 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc. If ezra was the writer, he was copying from the journal of nehemiah. The books of ezra, nehemiah, and esther are known as the postexilic historical books. List of those returning with ezra 114 preparations for the journey 1530 departure from babylon and arrival in jerusalem 36 9. The book of ezra does not specifically name its author. Jul 17, 2016 watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each book s flow of thought.
The book of ezra never declares its author, and the books contents make it difficult to determine when it was written. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezra s prayer of confession 515 10. The book of ezra in the bible tells us that the king of persia allowed the jews to return to their own land. D uring the time of ezra and nehemiah in the bible and even the book of esther, we can find some very complex issues that were dealt with by the hebrew people. Summary of the books of ezra the story of the bible.
This summary of the book of nehemiah provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of nehemiah. Ezra and nehemiah introduction theyre baack as the second book of kings ended, you thought it was all over for god and israel. The book of ezra also references other biblical prophets, namely haggai. How did ezra react to the news from the leaders of the people. Outline of ezra with the book of ezra, we return to the historical. Let me give you a brief summary of what this book is about.
Our overview and outline of ezra is intended to assist in studying gods wordhis letter to us. Then there is the return led by ezra in chapters 710, and about two thousand people followed ezra. God had totally given up on his people after the babylonian conquest in circa 587 bce, allowing the babylonians destroy jerusalem and his temple, just like the prophets predicted. Ezra outline study guide ezra outline study guide world wide study bible ezra 3.
The book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. Book of ezra wikipedia, the free encyclopedia the book of ezra is a book of the hebrew bible. Near 520 bc after the takeover by nebuchadnezzar, ultimately king cyrus of persia arose to power, and he decided to aid the jews to return to jerusalem. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ezra. Separation from heathen is demanded and maintained, chapter 10 the books of haggai and zechariah ezra 5. King cyrus decree to rebuild the temple 14 preparations for exiles return from babylon 511 2. The trip back to the land took exactly four months, from the first to the fifth months, from nisan 1 marchapril to ab 1. The jews started to build a temple house of god in jerusalem. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ezra.
Artaxerxes this man was son of xerxes and stepson of esther. The tradition is that the prophet ezra wrote the book of ezra. Altar rebuilt and sacrifices offered 17 the temple rebuilding. Although they are attributed to ezra and nehemiah, the final edition that is, the edition we have, which is the canonical. They describe events after the exile of judah to babylon. Ezras purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from the babylonian exile, after a seventy. But this is the register of adult males only, and as there were women and children also ezra 8. At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2 chronicles and were generally considered to be the work of one and the same author known as the chronicler. There is the return of the captives from babylon led by zerubbabel in the first six chapters. The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the. Ezra is also given the power to impose taxes, and enforce the mosaic law. Title even though ezra s name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. It is likely that ezra finished the book between 456, when the events of 10. It is, however, believed that ezra did write that book and its known that it originally was part of a larger book that included the books of nehemiah.
Ezra and nehemiah the next book of the bible were originally considered two parts of one book. Outline of the book of ezra 1 the return of the exiles to jerusalem at the decree of cyrus, 546 bc ezra 12. Although ezra is a continuation of the historical books begun with joshua, the precaptivity and captivity books could be profitably studied before beginning with ezra. Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. Originally combined with the book of nehemiah in a single book. Ezra with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Nehemiah overview and outline reasons for hope jesus. The jews are counted and are permitted to return to judah to rebuild the temple. Look for gods character and discover him as you journey through the pages of scripture. Prepare your messages on gods word in ezra with sermon outlines or an entire sermon series.
The words and messages are frank, specific, and motivating. Nehemiah wrote it to records the events of returning to jerusalem and rebuilding the walls in 445 b. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. Then the prophets, haggai the prophet, and zechariah the son of iddo, prophesied unto the jews that were in judah and jerusalem in the. The book of nehemiah introduction we may read the book of nehemiah and come away with a general appreciation for a mans conviction and spiritual energy to get work accomplished and move on to another story. Why was ezra astonished until the evening sacrifice. Others may say nehemiah is a book that encourages christians of all gender and race.
109 150 891 571 480 537 1058 1485 809 286 144 593 1455 1125 926 432 207 705 315 1464 1310 96 960 698 1428 555 530 1037