Summary of the books of ezra the story of the bible. Even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. Overview of the biblical book of ezra zionlutheranchurch. 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. Ezra renewed the celebration of festivals and supported the rededication of the temple and the rebuilding of the jerusalem wall. Nehemiah led the third 3rd exodus back to jerusalem, 94 years after zerubbabel 1st exodus of approx. This account weaves together several categories of written works. Interestingly we will witness that ezra does not appear in the book until chapter 7.
Read ezra, the book, and remember ezra, the mana humble, obedient helper. Chapter 710 ezra chapter 7 ezra decreed to lead another group to return 458 bc chapter 7 7. Ezra 10 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. Feb 18, 2018 part 1 in a study through the book of ezra.
Ezra, the high priest, is the one person who is notable in the books of ezra and nehemiah. Ezra 110 niv cyrus helps the exiles to return in bible. If we compare the last verses of 2 chronicles chap. For the connection between this book and ezra, see ezra overview and outline. The books of ezra and nehemiah are the only completely historical books in the third section of the hebrew bible, the ketuvim writings. 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. They describe events after the exile of judah to babylon. Ezra comes to jerusalem 110 artaxerxes letter to ezra 1126 ezra praises jehovah 27, 28 8. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title.
Ezra 10 the peoples confession of sin bible gateway. Since the history is so closely related, and even overlapped, this overview and summary of the books of ezra and. Aug 02, 2017 much of what is recorded in the book of nehemiah is thought to have comes from personal writings of nehemiah. With the fall of the 10tribeskingdom israel in 722 bc and the deportation of the. Weep fest while ezra prays and weeps in front of the temple, a large number of other people men, women, and children come and weep. Now when ezra had prayedas this prayer was uttered in public, while there was a general concourse of the people at the time of the evening sacrifice and as it was accompanied with all the demonstrations of poignant sorrow and anguish, it is not surprising that the spectacle of a man so respected, a priest so holy, a governor so. At this point the writing switches from third person to first person which lends credibility to scholars believe and study. The book of ezra in the bible tells us that the king of persia allowed the jews to return to their own land. The book stresses that all of gods people needed to be sanctified for the restoration of the nation to gods blessings. Ezra with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. 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.
Ezra 110 new international version niv cyrus helps the exiles to return. Ezra dedicated the temple but was not happy with the jews marrying pagan foreign wives. Much of what is recorded in the book of nehemiah is thought to have comes from personal writings of nehemiah. Ezra chapter 10 explained discover the 66 books of the bible. Then there is the return led by ezra in chapters 710, and about two thousand people followed ezra. Ezra 7 10 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc. 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. Look for gods character and discover him as you journey through the pages of scripture. 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 1 cyrus helps the exiles to return in bible gateway. Ezra 710 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc.
Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. They were possibly combined because the ministry of ezra ezra 7 10 is continued in neh. The book of ezranehemiah reveals christ in at least five ways. 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. Aug 10, 2017 the truth about the apocrypha and the lost books of the bible duration. 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. Feb 20, 2017 in the second section, nehemiah and ezra bring spiritual revival to jerusalem. Watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each books flow of thought. The same author probably wrote nehemiah and portions of ezra. The revelation of christ is an important distinctive in the book of ezra nehemiah. The book of ezra records the fulfillment of gods promise to restore israel to her land after. Nov 28, 20 ezra overview the book of ezra does not specifically name its author, although scholars believe it to be the priest ezra. The tradition is that the prophet ezra wrote the book of ezra.
Not all the jews returned to judah, but some did return. Now when ezra had prayedas this prayer was uttered in public, while there was a general concourse of the people at the time of the evening sacrifice and as it was accompanied with all the demonstrations of poignant sorrow and anguish, it is not surprising that the spectacle of a man so respected, a. This is because both jewish and christian tradition attribute authorship to this famous scribepriest. 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. Commit yourself to serving god as he did, with your whole life. To the end of the chapter, there is a list showing that only about 114 of these pagan wives refused to embrace the god of israel and had to be divorced. Summary of the book of ezra ezra is the first book in the postexilic period of israel.
Watch our overview video on the book of james, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of ezra offers hope and comfort for the people of god today as well. Ezras goal was to implement the torah, and his impeccable priestly and scribal credentials allowed him to remain the model leader. 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. The temple needed a new foundation, but the people needed to return to the foundations of their faith, too. The book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezras prayer of confession 515 10. 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.
These events are described in the book of nehemiah. Overview reading the bible chronologically in 365 days. Nehemiah chronicles gods covenant relationship with israel, and even provides a sweeping overview of the relationship in nehemiah chapter 9. In english bibles, they are usually split into two, with the book of nehemiah appearing as a separate book from ezra, but in the hebrew tradition, they are one book, entitled ezra, and nehemiah is simply the second part of ezra. Nehemiah overview and outline reasons for hope jesus. Before you attempt to answer the questions below you should read these chapters in the bible and answer the questions at the end of each chapter found at the website answer the questions below and then click ok to send your answers. Israel was under babylonian control until approximately 536 bc when the medopersian empire took control. The jews are counted and are permitted to return to judah to rebuild the temple. Aug 04, 20 ezra, the scribe, answers the call to teach israel the ways of god again ezr 7.
List of those returning with ezra 114 preparations for the journey 1530 departure from babylon and arrival in jerusalem 36 9. Now while ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of god, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from israel. This is the picture of how god works when he sets about to restore the heart that has fallen into sin. Later on, nehemiah works diligently to point people back to the law of moses neh. The previous chapters, though included in the book of ezra, nevertheless happened. Ezra overview the book of ezra does not specifically name its author, although scholars believe it to be the priest ezra. Jan 02, 2020 ezra renewed the celebration of festivals and supported the rededication of the temple and the rebuilding of the jerusalem wall. Ezra 10 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. The book of nehemiah jerusalem walls summary overview. Overview of the book of nehemiah reformed answers to. From chapters 710, the second group of jews returns to israel. King nebuchadnezzar invaded israel and carried the jews away as captives in 606 bc. Overview 15th book of the bible, old testament and 10 of the 12 historical books ezra follows 2 chronicles as a history of the jewish people, recording their return.
The jews started to build a temple house of god in jerusalem. Ezra, the scribe, answers the call to teach israel the ways of god again ezr 7. Aug 02, 2017 it is likely that ezra finished the book between 456, when the events of 10. The book of ezra does not specifically name its author, although scholars believe it to be the priest ezra. The books in the bible devoted to those historical events are named for these brave and mighty men and women. Inspired by gods spirit, he tells the israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple. The book of ezra the name ezra meaning help therefore is the sequence to the chronicles in. The book of ezra does not specifically name its author. Our overview and outline of ezra is intended to assist in studying gods wordhis letter to us. As the curtain rises and the orchestra dramatically swells, king cyrus of persia has just defeated the babylonians. From sunday, february, 11 2018 at calvary chapel tricities, kennewick, wa.
Dec 12, 2018 the book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. This is confirmed by the use of i sections in both ezra 710 and nehemiah. The truth about the apocrypha and the lost books of the bible duration. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. The book could not have been completed earlier than about 450 bc the date of the events recorded in 10. Nehemiah, who was a contemporary or served around the same time as ezra, was a cupbearer to the king in the persian empire. The second group came with ezra the priest and scribe in 458 bc ezra 7.
There is the return of the captives from babylon led by zerubbabel in the first six chapters. The book of ezra nehemiah reveals christ in at least five ways. He gathered the large assembly to read the laws of god to the people. Many years later, the army from persia defeated the army from babylon. But the people who lived near them did not want the jews back in the land. It contains some of his own records, but he is not the author of the entire book. Book of ezra covers the events of the jews returning from the babylonian captivity. Ezra 1 10 new international version niv cyrus helps the exiles to return. He teaches the law, but has problems with intermarriage and addresses the pagan women who brought their religious practices with them. In any case, it always follows the pattern depicted here in the book of ezra. This is confirmed by the use of i sections in both ezra 7 10 and nehemiah. A guy named shecaniah suggests that everyone make a covenant with god agreeing to send away their foreign wives. The books of ezra, nehemiah, and esther are known as the postexilic historical books. The revelation of christ is an important distinctive in the book of ezranehemiah.
Haggai was the leading prophet in the day of ezra, and zechariah was the prophet in the day of nehemiah. The titles of ezra and nehemiah vary between the ancient translations. Ezra nehemiah was one book in the early hebrew text mt and in the early copies of the septuagint from the uncial manuscripts. Like the books of ezra and esther, nehemiah tells us what happened after the jewish exile to babylon. Lessons from ezra for believers today michael hardt. Ezranehemiah is a compilation of a number of separate documents that were masterfully woven together to form a beautiful and powerful whole. David guzik commentary on ezra 10 gives an account of how the people decide to forsake their sin and repent after the example of ezra. The words and messages are frank, specific, and motivating. Israel has been disciplined, and is now being restored to her land and her god. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. 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. Read and study ezra, including book summary, with the versebyverse bible.
The events in ezra are set in jerusalem and the surrounding area. Okebukola on ezra 10 ezra did exactly what the lord through king artaxerxes sent him back from babylonian captivity to jerusalem to do rid the country of strange wives and strange worship. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. The book divides very naturally in line with the ministries of two men. Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools. It is likely that ezra finished the book between 456, when the events of 10. Ezra overview reading the bible chronologically in 365 days. Ezra reads the law of moses aloud to the people, and the nation rededicates to obeying god. New testament writers do not quote the book of ezra. 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. Ezra 1 new international version niv cyrus helps the exiles to return.