The book of ezra recounts israels final years of exile in babylon, including accounts of two returning groups as they are restored to their. The original king james bible included the apocrypha but in a separate. The book of ezra does not specifically name its author. In the hebrew bible, the two books were considered one work, though some internal evidence suggests they were written separately and joined together in the. Ezra was the second of three key leaders to leave babylon for the reconstruction of jerusalem. The tradition is that the prophet ezra wrote the book of ezra. Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. And yet in between these two books lies the babylonian captivity. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. This part of the book of ezra was removed from the holy bible.
So ezra prayed and confessed israels sins, and the people agreed to begin obeying gods laws. 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. Despite their best attempts, israels leaders are unable to bring about the fulfillment of. The canonical book of ezra and book of nehemiah are the oldest sources for the activity of ezra, whereas many of the other books ascribed to ezra first esdras, 36 ezra are later literary works dependent on the canonical books of ezra and nehemiah. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. Modern hebrew bibles call the two books ezra and nehemiah, as do other modern bible translations. Ad 400 and our english bible it has been divided into two separate works. 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.
When their king was dethroned and captured and the people exiled to babylon, judah as an independent nation ceased to exist. The book of ezra the last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2chronicles, in that order. Books of ezra and nehemiah, two old testament books that together with the books of chronicles formed a single history of israel from the time. The greater part of this book, though it bears the name of ezra, tells of the pioneers who came back from exile to jerusalem a whole lifetime before him. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with. A literary masterpiece of the english language, the original king james bible is still in use today. For ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the law. Book of ezra covers the events of the jews returning from the babylonian captivity. Introduction to ezra historical book of the bible learn religions. Summary of the books of ezra the story of the bible. Ezra, religious leader of the jews who returned from exile in babylon, reformer who reconstituted the jewish community on the basis of the torah law, or the regulations of the first five books of the old. For ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of the lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in israel.
The book of ezra bears the name of an individual who was a descendent of the. Israel was in serious danger of being punished or even destroyed by the lord. In the hebrew bible ezra and nehemiah are regarded as one book. Ezranehemiah the bible project videos the bible app. 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. 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. The translation was commissioned by king james i of england and completed in 1611. 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 1, new international version niv the bible app. 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. First and second esdras are books found in the collection of writings known as the apocrypha or deuterocanonical books. Ezra bible book with full chapters king james version. Ezra 1 new international version niv cyrus helps the exiles to return. The first group of jews returns under the leadership of sheshbazzar who may also be known as zerubbabel.
Study guide for ezra 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient. Ezra and nehemiah the next book of the bible were originally considered two parts of one book. The book of nehemiah reports other things that ezra. The book of ezra nehemiah tells the story of israels return to jerusalem to rebuild their lives and renew the covenant. Ezra was a scribe and priest sent with religious and political powers by the persian king artaxerxes to lead a group of jewish exiles from babylon to jerusalem ezra. Ezra, bible prophet amazing bible timeline with world. Intro to ezra biblica the international bible society. 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. Chronicles, ezra and nehemiah are followed by tobit, judith, and then esther in the greek septuagint. The historical books are followed by psalms and the wisdom books in the greek septuagint, the latin vulgate, and christian old testaments of the bible.
The book of ezra continues from where 2 chronicles ends, with cyrus, king of persia, issuing a decree that permitted the jews of his kingdom to return to jerusalem after seventy years of captivity. 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 is part of the historical books of the bible. Ezra 1 niv cyrus helps the exiles to return in bible gateway. This would also lend credibility to ezra being the author. The book of ezra opens with the same wording that closes the book. Even though ezra s name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. In hebrew manuscripts you will find these two books. Ezra was horrified to learn that the people of israel were committing the same sins as other nations. The lord, the god of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at jerusalem in judah.
The books in the bible devoted to those historical events are named for these brave and mighty men and women. The jews are counted and are permitted to return to judah to rebuild the temple. Cyrus made a decree giving the jewish exiles in his empire the right to return to jerusalem and rebuild the temple in 538 b. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. Both men went back to jerusalem during the reign of artaxerxes.
Books of ezra and nehemiah old testament britannica. The hebrew traditions treated the books of ezra and nehemiah is one book, although they were probably separated in the bible. At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2 chronicles and were generally. At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2 chronicles and. Answer the books of chronicles, ezra and nehemiah form an integrated block of text with a unity of style and content and are believed to have been written by an anonymous author now known. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2chronicles and were generally considered to be the work of one and the same author known as the chronicler. Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries.
The books of ezra and nehemiah are the only completely historical books in the third section of the hebrew bible, the ketuvim writings. 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. The nwt study bible is complete with cross references, maps, and an accurate bible dictionary. 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 of ezra provides a muchneeded link in the historical record of the israelite people. Ezra probably knew nehemiah though the bible doesnt specifically state this as fact. Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of ezra in the bible king james.