Faith & Reason Nexus

MEANING: “Yahweh Helps”
Ezra’s name carries the meaning “Yahweh helps.”
AUTHORSHIP: Ezra Himself
The Book of Ezra is attributed to Ezra.
TIME WRITTEN: Probably composed between 457 and 444 B.C.
POSITION IN THE BIBLE: Ezra in the Context of Scripture

• 15th Book in the Bible.
• 15th Book in the Old Testament.
• 10th of 12 books of History (Joshua – Esther).
• Followed by 51 books in the Holy Bible.

EZRA: Key Stats

• CHAPTERS: 10
• VERSES: 280
• WORDS: 27,441

OBSERVATIONS ABOUT EZRA: Historical Overview

• Continues the Old Testament narrative where 2 Chronicles ends.
• Highlights God’s fulfillment of His promise to return His people to the land of promise 70 years after the exile.

“Second Exodus” and Remnant’s Return:

• The return from Babylon to Judea is often termed Israel’s “Second Exodus.”
• Only a remnant, around 49,897 out of 2 to 3 million people, chooses to return after the seventy-year period of Babylonian captivity.

Two Returns from Babylon:

• The 1st return is led by Zerubbabel (538 B.C.) to rebuild the Temple (Chapters 1-6).
• The 2nd return, led by Ezra 81 years later in 457 B.C., focuses on rebuilding the spiritual condition of the people (Chapters 7-10).
• The distance covered in the returns was about 900 miles, with fewer than 2,000 men accompanying Ezra to Judea.

Interlude and Ezra’s Characteristics:

• Between chapters 6 and 7, there’s a 60-year period, during which lives and the events in the Book of Esther occur.
• Ezra is characterized by a strong trust in God, moral integrity, and grief over sin.

Contemporary of Nehemiah: Ezra is a contemporary of Nehemiah, who arrives in Jerusalem in 444 B.C.

Global Historical Context: During Ezra’s time, Gautama Buddha lived in India, Confucius in China, and Socrates in Greece.

Cyrus’ Decree and Chronology of the Temple Rebuilding:

• In 539 B.C., Cyrus of Persia overthrew Babylon and issued a decree in 538 B.C. allowing exiled Jews to return.
• The Temple rebuilding chronology:
• Work underway for 2 years (536-534 B.C.).
• Opposition halts work for 14 years (534-520 B.C.).
• Work resumed in 520 B.C.
• Temple completed 5 years later in 515 B.C., taking a total of 7 years to build.