What makes Ezra special?

Ezra and the next book in the Bible, Nehemiah, were originally one book. Together they make up the most important source for the history of 538 to 430 B.C. This period saw the formation of the Jewish religious community following the Babylonian exile. Ezra the priest, as the main religious leader of this time, and Nehemiah, as appointed governor, were largely responsible for the shape that community was to take.

Why was Ezra written?

Ezra was written to help the Jewish community in Jerusalem understand who they were as God’s people. It does this by remembering how the community began and by describing how some of them returned home to Judah and struggled to obey the Law of Moses, rebuild the city and the temple, and keep themselves pure in the midst of foreign peoples.

What’s the story behind the scene?

A number of historical and literary questions surround Ezra and Nehemiah. The traditional view sees Ezra beginning his mission in the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes I (458 B.C.; Ezra 7.8) and Nehemiah arriving thirteen years later in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes’ reign (445 B.C.; Neh. 1.1). Others suggest the opposite order is more accurate, because it better explains certain difficulties in the text. In this view, Nehemiah still arrives at Jerusalem in 445 B.C., but Ezra comes later, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes II (398 B.C.). Still others place Ezra’s arrival before Nehemiah’s but insist that their ministries overlapped. This view must change the text of Ezra 7.8,9 from “seventh” to either “twenty-seventh” or “thirty-seventh.” There is no agreement as to which order is most accurate.

The author of Ezra and Nehemiah probably used several different sources in writing these books. The most important ones are the first-person accounts called the “Memoirs of Ezra” that form the basis of Ezra 8–10 and Nehemiah 8–9, and the “Memoirs of Nehemiah” which lie behind Nehemiah 1–7; 11.1,2; 12.31-43; and 13.4-31. The author also draws upon a number of Persian documents written in Aramaic (Ezra 1.2-4; 4.8—6.18; 7.12-28), and many lists of people.

How is Ezra constructed?

Originally, Ezra and Nehemiah were one book that told the story of God restoring the Jewish people to their homeland in Israel. It is structured around the decrees of two Persian kings, Cyrus and Artaxerxes. Cyrus’ decree that allowed the Jews to return home and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1.2-4) is followed by the story of their homecoming and the rebuilding of the temple (Ezra 1–6). In Ezra 7.12-26, Artaxerxes calls for all Jews to obey the Law of Moses. This is followed by Ezra’s mission. His reading of the Law to the people becomes the basis for several changes he makes in response to various problems he finds in the community (Ezra 7–10; Neh. 8–10, 13). Artaxerxes also authorizes Nehemiah to return to Jerusalem (Neh 2) to rebuild and dedicate the city’s walls (Neh. 2–7, 12).

Ezra can be outlined in the following way:

1. God’s people return from exile and begin rebuilding the temple (1.1—6.22)
1. God’s people come home (1.1—4.23)
2. Work on the temple continues (4.24—6.22)
2. Ezra returns and restores the people (7.1—10.44)
1. Ezra and his mission (7.1—8.36)
2. Ezra deals with problems in the community (9.1—10.44)

God’s People Return from Exile and Begin Rebuilding the Temple

The first six chapters of this book tell about the many Israelites who returned from exile in Babylonia (1.1—2.70) and struggled to rebuild the temple (3.1—6.22). These events happened between 538 and 516 B.C., long before the appearance of Ezra.

God’s People Come Home

After defeating the Babylonians, King Cyrus of Persia issues an order that allows the Israelites, who had been held captive in Babylonia for seventy years, to return to their home area near Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.

Work on the Temple Continues

Work on the temple had stopped from 535 to 520 B.C., but the prophets Haggai and Zechariah persuade the people to start again.

Ezra Returns and Restores the People

The last four chapters of Ezra deal with Ezra’s own activities. Chapters 7 and 8 introduce Ezra and describe his leading a group out of Babylonia and into Jerusalem. Chapters 9 and 10 record his dealing with the problem of mixed marriages, meaning marriages between Jews and non-Jews.

Ezra and His Mission

Artaxerxes gives Ezra support and permission to return to Jerusalem along with many Jewish leaders and their families.

Ezra Deals with Problems in the Community

God returned the people to the land so that they could worship according to the Law of Moses. But the people too often ignored the Law, for instance by marrying non-Israelites. In these last two chapters, Ezra deals with that and other problems (see Neh 10.28-30; 13.23-30).

Questions about Ezra

1. Why did Cyrus allow the Jews to return to Jerusalem? (1.1-3)

2. Why were foreigners not allowed to help rebuild the temple? What problems did these people cause for the returning Jews? (4.1-23)

3. What does this book reveal about Ezra and his personality? How does God help Ezra to use the gifts he has been given? What does this tell you about how God can use you?

4. How did Artaxerxes assist Ezra and the Jewish people? (7.11-26) According to Ezra, why did Artaxerxes do these things? (7.27-28)

5. The rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem was important because it was the center of worship for the Jews and because it symbolized God's special relationship with them. What is at the center of your worship? What special symbol do you have of God's relationship with you?

6. The book of Ezra is about how the Jews tried to start over in their relationship with God. Many forces from both inside and outside the community tested the Jew’s faith in God and tempted them to abandon God's Law. What things in your life threaten your relationship with God?