Ezra and nehemiah were originally considered parts one and two of the same work, and for a good reason. Five great lessons from the book of ezra macland road. Ezra summary ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. The revelation of christ is an important distinctive in the book of ezra nehemiah. Cyrus helps the exiles to return in the first year of cyrus king of persia, in order to fulfill the word of the lord spoken by jeremiah, the lord moved the heart of cyrus king of persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. This account weaves together several categories of. Check out this site for more information on the big idea behind the story of ezra.
The second group came with ezra the priest and scribe in 458 bc ezra 7. The old testament a brief overview 1 the return of the exiles to jerusalem at the decree of cyrus, 546 bc ezra 12. However, they probably began as separate books because ezra 2 and nehemiah 7 are virtually identical and such repetition is unlikely to occur in one book. 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. As luther said of the events in ezra, what appeared impossible earlier became very easy because of gods plan. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries bible. To appreciate the significance of ezra s journey to jerusalem, we need to bear in mind that 80 years had passed since the first return from babylon ch. He allowed the king of babylon and his army to defeat them. Ezra overview reading the bible chronologically in 365 days. Because the lists, though slightly different, are basically the same. The tradition is that the prophet ezra wrote the book of ezra. May 10, 2017 book of ezra overview insight for living ministries stay safe and healthy.
It is possible that ezra compiled nehemiahs original accounts with other material to create the book of nehemiah. If we compare the last verses of 2 chronicles chap. The book of ezra offers hope and comfort for the people of god today as well. Ezra 710 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc. 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. The king of babylon ordered most jews to live in babylon. This book reminds us that it is through instruction in gods word that his people are strengthened, for ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in israel ezra 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 chapters of the book of ezra. Aug 02, 2017 it is likely that ezra finished the book between 456, when the events of 10. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. Book of nehemiah overview insight for living ministries. Aug 02, 2017 the words and messages are frank, specific, and motivating. Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools.
A literary and theological analysis of the book of ezra. The book of ezra was originally combined with the book of nehemiah and served as a continuation of first and second chronicles. Separated from uncleanness and seeking the lord chapter 7. Babylon was a long way from their own country, called judah. Ezra had devoted himself especially to study and to do the law of jehovah the word of god and was eager to teach the word in israel. The lord, the god of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has. It is interesting to note that once ezra appears on the scene in. The book of ezra never declares its author, and the books contents make it difficult to determine when it was written. The books in the bible devoted to those historical events are named for these brave and mighty men and women. The book of nehemiah jerusalem walls summary overview. Continuity with the past and hope for the future chapter 8. Summary of the book of ezra ezra is the first book in the postexilic period of israel. Ezra is the priest that god uses in this story to help the people fall back in love with god.
Ezra calls attention to israels covenant history with the lord. Ezra is most likely the author of both ezra and nehemiah, which might have originally been one book. Ezra is also responsible for leading the jews back to proper behavior and worship of the god of israel, though this is not really complete until the last chapter of nehemiah. Ezra, the high priest, is the one person who is notable in the books of ezra and nehemiah. The book centers on the story of the return to zion after the babylonian captivity. However, more recent scholarship has pointed out several reasons for thinking that at least a portion of the chapters included in the first section contains speeches personally delivered by the prophet to the people who remained in. Nehemiah led the third 3rd exodus back to jerusalem, 94 years after zerubbabel 1st exodus of approx. The revival began with the reading of the word of god by ezra. The book of ezra nehemiah reveals christ in at least five ways. Ezra overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides a freeflowing commentary on the entire text of each biblical book, along with background material. Originally part of the combined book of ezra and nehemiah the book of ezranehemiah the book of ezra became separated from the latter during the early years of the christian era. Originally part of a larger book that included ezra and chronicles, in our bibles each stands alone with nehemiah following chronicles and ezra.
Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Haggai was the main prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with. Ezra overview james burton coffman commentaries on the. Dec 12, 2018 the book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. I summarised the bible on twitter between aug 2010 and nov 20 one tweet per chapter, one chapter per day. Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. The book covers the period from the fall of babylon in 539 bc to the second half of the 5th century bc, and tells of the successive missions to jerusalem of zerubbabel, ezra, and nehemiah, and. Ezra 1 niv cyrus helps the exiles to return in bible. Ezra nehemiah was one book in the early hebrew text mt and in the early copies of the septuagint from the uncial manuscripts. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. List of those returning with ezra 114 preparations for the journey 1530 departure from babylon and arrival in jerusalem 36 9.
Nehemiahs primary mission was the rebuilding of the walls of jerusalem. The book could not have been completed earlier than about 450 bc the date of the events recorded in 10. As the curtain rises and the orchestra dramatically swells, king cyrus of persia has just defeated the babylonians. Every chapter of the bible in 140 characters or less. Quick outline of ezra rebuilding the temple ezr 16 the remnant returns to judah ezra 12 judah lays the new temple foundations ezra. This is unusual because it is obvious they both contain the same genealogical list. For the connection between this book and ezra, see ezra overview and outline. The book of nehemiah could be read as a sequel to the book of ezra, and some scholars believe the two were originally one work. When their king was dethroned and captured and the people exiled to babylon, judah as an independent nation ceased to exist. Lessons from ezra for believers today michael hardt.
The revelation of christ is an important distinctive in the book of ezranehemiah. New testament writers do not quote the book of ezra. Aug 04, 20 the book of ezra also references other biblical prophets, namely haggai and zechariah, whose messages stirred up the people to finish building the temple ezr 5. 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.
Also, ezra was probably the writer of 1 and 2 chronicles and psalm 119 the longest chapter in the bible. Watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each books flow of thought. 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. Since the history is so closely related, and even overlapped, this overview and summary of the books of ezra and nehemiah are. Many years later, the army from persia defeated the army from babylon. Nehemiah overview and outline reasons for hope jesus. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with maps. At this point the writing switches from third person to first person which lends credibility to scholars believe and study.
At one point in history ezra and nehemiah were one book in the hebrew bible. Israel was under babylonian control until approximately 536 bc when the medopersian empire took control. Inspired by gods spirit, he tells the israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple. The book of ezra relates the restoration of jerusalem and the building of the second temple after the babylonian exile. The book of ezra provides a muchneeded link in the historical record of the israelite people. Interestingly we will witness that ezra does not appear in the book until chapter 7. A readers guide to the theological message of ezra. Summary of the books of ezra the story of the bible. These events are described in the book of nehemiah. Nov 28, 20 ezra overview the book of ezra does not specifically name its author, although scholars believe it to be the priest ezra. Ezra and nehemiah provided faithful leadership as the restoration of israel faltered. Nehemiah, who was a contemporary or served around the same time as ezra, was a cupbearer to the king in the persian empire. The bible book called ezra is the story of how god takes his people back to their land after having been slaves in another land. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies.
The temple and jerusalem played a central role in bringing gods blessing to. The book of ezra does not specifically name its author. Ezras purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from the babylonian exile, after a seventy. Cyrus, inspired by god, returns the temple vessels to sheshbazzar, prince of judah. Ezra comes to jerusalem 110 artaxerxes letter to ezra 1126 ezra praises jehovah 27, 28 8. Haggai was the leading prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah. 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. Ezra overview james burton coffman commentaries on the bible. In this book, journalist ezra klein reveals how that system is polarizing usand how we are polarizing itwith disastrous results. The book of ezra is divided into two parts with the first part narrating about the exiles return during the reign of cyrus the. Whistle for willie board book by ezra jack keats, ezra.
Overview of the biblical book of ezra zionlutheranchurch. The return of the jews from captivity in babylon and the rebuilding of the temple. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezras prayer of confession 515 10. The american political systemwhich includes everyone from voters to journalists to the presidentis full of rational actors making rational decisions given the incentives they face, writes political analyst. 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. 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. To appreciate the significance of ezras journey to jerusalem, we need to bear in mind that 80 years had passed since the first return from babylon ch. 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. Ezra dedicated the temple but was not happy with the jews marrying pagan foreign wives. 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. The events in ezra are set in jerusalem and the surrounding area. 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. For some time, they believed that he wrote practically the entire book while living in the colony of exiles.