For the connection between this book and ezra, see ezra overview and outline. Nehemiah, understanding by hanani the misery of jerusalem, mourns, fasts, and prays. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. 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 book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. Use this collection of resources to help bolster your personal study as you prepare to teach your congregation the many important truths within this old testament book. This is the point at which the book of ezra begins. The contents of the book of ezra may be divided as follows. The oldest manuscripts of the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot also treat ezra and nehemiah as one book. King cyrus decree to rebuild the temple 14 preparations for exiles return from babylon 511 2. Inspecting city, rebuilding wall of jerusalem, opposition, establishing temple service. Ezra 8 commentary commentary critical and explanatory on. The tradition is that the prophet ezra wrote the book of ezra.
Aug 20, 2018 the book of ezra ezra was a great leader in israels history just after the time of the peoples return from babylonian exile. Jul 17, 2016 watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each book s flow of thought. The jews started to build a temple house of god in jerusalem. 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 16 recounts events that occurred long before ezras time. Ezra comes to jerusalem 110 artaxerxes letter to ezra 1126 ezra praises jehovah 27, 28 8. The return of the jews from captivity in babylon and the rebuilding of the temple. List of those returning with ezra 114 preparations for the journey 1530 departure from babylon and arrival in jerusalem 36 9. 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. Cyrus restores the vessels of the temple to sheshbazzar. 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. Look for gods character and discover him as you journey through the pages of scripture. At some level every first book is a memoir, so it makes sense that the most practical recommendation to emerge from these 260 pages of functional, missionaryposition prose is to be more like ezra klein. Title even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7.
The book of nehemiah jerusalem walls summary overview. They tell us of the repopulation of palestine by the jews, the rebuilding of the temple, and the reconstruction of the wall of jerusalem. 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. Ezra is the author of the book and is also the main character in the story starting in chapter 7 ezra 7. Though the book does not specifically claim ezra as the author, the writing style changes from third person in chapters 16 to first person for the rest of the book. Israel, the northern kingdom, fell to the assyrians in 724 b. The proclamation by cyrus allows the exiles to return to jerusalem. Ezra is a book of narrative history and genealogies. The book of ezra does not specifically name its author. The books of ezra and nehemiah originally were regarded by the jews as a single work, and a general introduction must treat them together. Inspired by gods spirit, he tells the israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple. The accomplishments of ezra focuses on the period from 536 two 456 bc, and nehemiah begins his mission in 445 bc with a detailed description of 12 years of events. As the curtain rises and the orchestra dramatically swells, king cyrus of persia has just defeated the babylonians. They are the last of the historical books in the old testament.
Altar rebuilt and sacrifices offered 17 the temple rebuilding. Nehemiah bible study outline contents by chapter and verse. But the people who lived near them did not want the jews back in the land. Ezra character bible study background and lessons name. Aug 02, 2017 the words and messages are frank, specific, and motivating. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition.
The book of ezra never declares its author, and the books contents make it difficult to determine when it was written. Ezra bible study outlinecontents by chapter and verse. Jewish tradition has long attributed authorship of this historical book to the scribe and scholar ezra, who led the second group of jews returning from babylon to. Dec 12, 2018 the book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. The events in ezra are set in jerusalem and the surrounding area. The book of ezraa brief outline sermons by art davison. The proclamation of cyrus for the building of the temple. Nehemiah, who was a contemporary or served around the same time as ezra, was a cupbearer to the king in the persian empire. Ezra, the first of the postcaptivity books ezra, nehemiah, esther, haggai, zechariah, and malachi, records the return to palestine under zerubbabel, by decree of cyrus, of a jewish remnant who laid the temple foundations b. Return from babylon led by ezra, chapters 710 about 2,000 returned a.
Our overview and outline of ezra is intended to assist in studying gods wordhis letter to us. The books of haggai and zechariah should be read and studied with the book of ezra, for all three were written in the shadow of the rebuilt temple and were given to encourage the people in building. The people of god have been in babylonian captivity for 70 years as was prophesied by jeremiah jer. Also, ezra was probably the writer of 1 and 2 chronicles and psalm 119 the longest chapter in the bible. Title even though ezra s name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. 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 and chronicles. His name means help, and his whole life was dedicated to serving god and gods people. The book of ezra records two separate time periods directly following the seventy years of babylonian captivity. Ezra 110 the bible from 30,000 feet skip heitzig flight ezr01 duration.
The story of the israelites second return from babylon takes place in about 458 bc. Now in the first year of cyrus king of persia, that the word of the lord by the mouth of jeremiah might be fulfilled, the lord stirred up the spirit of cyrus king of persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, the book of ezra covers 2 distinct time periods. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. Ezras purpose was to accurately record the events of the return from the babylonian exile, after a seventy. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezras prayer of confession 515 10. They describe events after the exile of judah to babylon. Like the books of ezra and esther, nehemiah tells us what happened after the jewish exile to babylon. But this is the register of adult males only, and as there were women and children also ezra 8. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with.
Summary of the books of ezra the story of the bible. 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. Feb 12, 2020 we do not have to look far for the answer, unvoiced though it remains. Outline of ezra free bible outlines bible study start. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the long captivity to rebuild the city, walls, and temple. Fensham, the books of ezra and nehemiah, the new international commentary on the old testament, grand rapids. Jerusalem had a temple but there was no protection for the city from further attack. Not all the jews returned to judah, but some did return. Ezra 1 new international version niv cyrus helps the exiles to return. The book is comprised of an approximately 80year time frame in which ezra reveals that god has fulfilled his promise to cause the jews to return to jerusalem cf. This book, as was true in the book of ezra, has copies of letters, decrees, registers and other documents.
This book reveals what god can do through a layman who has a heart for the things of god. 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. Israel has been disciplined, and is now being restored to her land and her god. The words and messages are frank, specific, and motivating.
Rebuilding the temple ezr 16 the remnant returns to judah ezra 12 judah lays the new temple foundations ezra 3 judahs adversaries stop temple work ezra 4 judah resumes temple work ezra 5 the temple is completed ezra 6 remembering the law ezr 710 artaxerxes sends ezra to teach the law in jerusalem. The book of ezra picks up the history of gods people at the approximate point that daniel chapters 9 and 10 leave off see daniel 9. Key personalities include cyrus, ezra, haggai, zechariah, darius i, artaxerxes i, and zerubbabel. Outline of ezra with the book of ezra, we return to the historical. Nehemiahs prayer for remnant at jerusalem, chapter 1. Book of ezra read, study bible verses online bible study tools. Key personalities include nehemiah, ezra, sanballat, and tobiah. According to the book of ezra, cyrus performed his duty faithfully.
The book of ezra the book of ezra the last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. The jews return from babylonian exile, rebuilding temple. Originally part of a larger book that included ezra and chronicles, in our bibles each stands alone with nehemiah following chronicles and ezra. The same man wrote both books ezra and nehemiah are one book in the hebrew canon. The jews are counted and are permitted to return to judah to rebuild the temple. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with maps. The contents of the book of ezra may be summarized as follows. The revival began with the reading of the word of god by ezra. Aug 02, 2017 the book is named after its principal character, ezra, although ezra is not mentioned in the book as the author. Nehemiah overview and outline reasons for hope jesus. List of exiles who returned 167 temple servants 4354 sons of the servants of solomon 5557 voluntary offerings for the temple 6870 3. Lets get some of the historical framework set so that we understand what is happening in ezra and then later in nehemiah. Ezra records the initial return of zerubbabel and ezra, the rebuilding of the temple, and ezras reforms. Ezra wants to study the law of god, practice it, and teach it to others.
Ezra and some other israelitestemple servants, priests, singers, gatekeepers, levitestake around four or five months to journey to jerusalem. The books of ezra and nehemiah provide our primary source of information about the 100 years following the babylonian captivity. Intermarriage in israel 14 ezra s prayer of confession 515 10. Series lyle1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 commentary waldroup1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, 10 single sermons. Ezra 710 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc. 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. God used three persian kings, cyrus, darius, and artaxerxes, to bring this to pass, as well as jewish leaders such as zerubbabel, joshua, haggai, zechariah. 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.
Nehemiah chronicles gods covenant relationship with israel, and even provides a sweeping overview of the relationship in nehemiah chapter 9. The first group of exiled jews returns to jerusalem. Ezra mourns for the affinity of the people with strangers. Nehemiah wrote it to records the events of returning to jerusalem and rebuilding the walls in 445 b. Nehemiah led the third 3rd exodus back to jerusalem, 94 years after zerubbabel 1st exodus of approx. Tradition says that ezra wrote most of first chronicles and second chronicles, ezra, nehemiah, and psalm 119 and that he led the council of 120 men who formed the old testament canon. Every book of the bible outlined in section headings. Ezra 16 covers the first return of jews from captivity, led by zerubbabela period of twentythree years beginning with the edict of cyrus of persia and ending at the rebuilding of the temple in jerusalem 538515 bc. The proclamation of cyrus to rebuild the temple in jerusalem 1.
Ezra 1 niv cyrus helps the exiles to return bible gateway. The book could not have been completed earlier than about 450 bc the date of the events recorded in 10. Nehemiah bible study outlinecontents by chapter and verse. 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 books of ezra, nehemiah, and esther are known as the postexilic historical books. Separation from heathen is demanded and maintained, chapter 10 the books of haggai and zechariah ezra 5.
1252 997 845 1476 1309 597 1510 1183 476 1186 481 874 1291 3 1474 2 583 67 1349 621 1048 713 1062 1448 1177 174 24 410 261 722 458 1167 1062 830