The book of ezra is devoted to events occurring in the land of israel at the time of the return from the babylonian captivity and subsequent years, covering a period of approximately one century, beginning in 538 b. 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. Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. 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. The book of ezra provides a muchneeded link in the historical record of the israelite people. Some fifty thousand people return to the land of judea in ezra 2. Background and themes as ezra opens, the babylonian empie is passing away and jeremiahs prophesy jeremian 29. Study 18 terms ezra, nehemiah, esther flashcards quizlet. Theyre not connected to any of the most memorable stories, like the flood or the exodus from egypt. There are ten direct references to gods word in this little book. The book of ezra recounts israels final years of exile in babylon, including accounts of two returning groups as they are restored to their homeland after 70 years in captivity. The books of ezra and nehemiah relate how gods covenant people were restored from babylonian exile to the covenant land as a theocratic kingdom of god community even while continuing under gentile rule. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition.
The final books of the hebrew bible are the books of chronicles and ezranehemiah, which once formed a unitary history of israel from adam to the 4th century bce, written by an anonymous chronicler. The book of nehemiah is the last of the historical books of the bible, originally part of the book of ezra, but split off into its own volume by the church in 1448. The books of ezra and nehemiah relate how gods covenant people were restored from babylonian exile to the covenant land as a. Intro to ezra biblica the international bible society. He suddenly comes to life at a puppet show put on by susie and roberto, when he jumps up and shouts hello. The return of the jews from captivity in babylon and the rebuilding of the temple. Possible ezra came after nehem cause wasnt mentioned by nehem but easier to go by biblical chronology of ezra coming first what are some of the theological themes of ezra and nehemiah. The book is a reminder of gods promise to deliver his people and to restore them to their fatherland in preparation for the. The theme of ezra is faithfulness to the lord, both in keeping the mosaic law 7. What is the main theme of the book of ezra answers. Gods word and worship ezra was devoted to gods word.
Even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. The book of 2 chronicles ended with an official message that king cyrus of persia sent in 538 b. Ezra 1 niv cyrus helps the exiles to return bible gateway. As a scribe, he gained knowledge and wisdom through intense study of the scriptures. In the books that keats wrote and illustrated, he used his special artistic techniques to portray his subjects in a unique manner. The first part of the book of ezra 16 begins with that same message and then tells how many of the jews returned to jerusalem and began work on the temple. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. The book of ezra continues the narrative right where chronicles leaves off. Biblical literature biblical literature ezra, nehemiah, and chronicles.
Louie is introduced as a silent and lonely child, with sad eyes and an invisible mouth. The author of nehemiah is unknown, however it reads much like an autobiography of nehemiah who was governor of persian judea and the cupbearer to king artaxerxes nehemiah 2. The book of ezra records two separate time periods directly following the. 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. Ezras purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from the babylonian exile, after a seventy. And purity must always live apart from filth, lest it be contaminated. New testament writers do not quote the book of ezra. A readers guide to the theological message of ezra.
Biblical literature ezra, nehemiah, and chronicles. No signs or wonders occur during their days, and neither of them accomplishes mighty feats or brings about miraculous acts of deliverance. 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. Because of his concern about worship, ezra stresses the importance of rebuilding the temple. Long before multicultural characters and themes were fashionable, ezra jack keats crossed social boundaries by being the first american picturebook maker to give the black child a central place in childrens literature. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. Overview of the biblical book of ezra zionlutheranchurch. Book of ezra covers the events of the jews returning from the babylonian captivity. However, homecomings can be more difficult than expected, even disappointing in some ways. 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 are an important part of the history leading to the appearance of the messiah and king. Nehemiah, ezra, and god all love rules6 of them, to be exact.
The prophets haggai and zechariah also played important roles in encouraging the people of judah and their leaders. Ezra is sent to teach the people ezra chapter 7 the genealogy of those who returned with ezra ezra 8. This is because both jewish and christian tradition attribute authorship to this famous scribepriest. The biblical figures of ezra and nehemiah are not the most popular or wellknown.
Watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each books flow of thought. Since god isnt showing up to eat and chat like he did in abrahams day, the people experience him by obeying his laws. Continuity with the past and hope for the future chapter 8. Nehemiah was one of the most underrated heroes in the bible, cupbearer to the powerful persian king artaxerxes i longimanus.
Hence we now face the problem that consumed the rest of the book of ezra. Summary of the books of ezra the story of the bible. The theme of the book of ezra is the word of the lord. The books of ezra and nehemiah are the key literary sources for the period of the restoration, the formation of the jewish religious community after the babylonian captivity. In the hebrew bible, the two books were considered one work, though some internal. For ezra had prepared and set his heart to seek the law of the lord to inquire for it and of it, to require and yearn for it, and to do and teach in israel its statutes and its ordinances. Ezra also lays stress on the theme of gods covenant with his people, reflected especially in the lords special presence in the temple and israels. That these books constituted a single workreferred to as the chroniclers history, in distinction to. The combined work ezranehemiah is our most important literary source for the formation of the jewish religious community in the province of judah after the babylonian exile. Chronologically, the events in ezra are followed only by nehemiah and malachi.
Ezra intro to ezra biblica the international bible society. The oldest manuscripts of the septuagint the prechristian greek. First, god reigns supreme over all human powers, both cruel babylon and gentler persia ones. Though the book of ezra narrates the activities of a tiny jewish community, their story of repentance and redemption has three major implications for the global church today.
In fact, aside from the actual physical rebuilding of jerusalem, the reinstitution of the mosaic laws and rituals is the main objective of ezra and nehemiah. Purpose, occasion, and background as the people return from exile in babylon to the promised land, they are under threat from the nonjews living there. The book of ezra never declares its author, and the books contents make it. Ezra 110 the bible from 30,000 feet skip heitzig flight ezr01 duration. Bible commentary produced by tow project verses theme. Ezra traces the history of the jews during the years following the decree of cyrus to let the jewish exiles return to their homeland. 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 jews are counted and are permitted to return to judah to rebuild the temple. The book of ezra begins the final historical chapter of the old testament, often called the postexilic period. 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 provides an account of the jews regathering, of their struggle to survive. The book of ezra was likely written between 460 and 440 b. Ezra is believed to have penned his book between the events at the end of chapter 10 456 b. At the beginning of ezra we see cyrus the king of persia permitting the jewish captives to return to there nation a man named by his name in.
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