History · Old Testament
Ezra
c. 538–457 BC
- Section
- History · Old Testament
- Events span
- c. 538–457 BC
- Written
- c. 440 BC critical view: c. 400 BC
- Author
- Ezra critical view: The Chronicler / an anonymous compiler, c. 400 BC
Ezra tells of the Jews' return from Babylonian exile in two waves: first under Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple, then under Ezra the scribe to restore the law. It shows God stirring pagan kings to keep his promise to restore his people.
Key themes
- Return from exile
- Rebuilding the temple
- God's sovereignty over kings
- Restoring the law
- Covenant faithfulness
Key events
Rebuilding the Temple under Zerubbabel (Ezra 1–6)
- Cyrus of Persia decrees that the exiles may return and rebuild the temple
- About fifty thousand return under Zerubbabel and rebuild the altar
- Opposition from surrounding peoples halts the temple work for years
- Encouraged by Haggai and Zechariah, the people finish and dedicate the temple
Ezra's Return & Reforms (Ezra 7–10)
- Ezra the scribe leads a second group back to Jerusalem with the king's blessing
- Ezra leads the people to repent of intermarriage with the surrounding nations
“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.”