Ezra

Ezra Reads the Law to the People, one of Gustave Doré's illustrations. But was the true meaning of his explanation?

Book of Ezra

The Book of Ezra and Book of Nehemiah are the oldest sources for the activity of Ezra

Ezra is an important figure in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah and also the book of Chronicles. He was instrumental in the attempt to restoring the Jewish scriptures and religion to the people after the return from the Babylonian Captivity and is a highly respected figure in Judaism although often misunderstood.

Scholars are divided over the chronological sequence of the activities of Ezra and Nehemiah.

Josephus deals with Ezra in his Antiquities of the Jews. He uses the name Xerxes for Artaxerxes I reserving the name Artaxerxes for the later Artaxerxes II.

Outline

1. Return from Babylon Under Zerubbabel ( 1:1⁠–⁠6:22 )

a. Return from Babylon ( 1:1⁠–⁠2:70 )

i.   The Proclamation of Cyrus ( 1:1⁠–⁠6 )

ii.  Cyrus Restores the Holy Vessels ( 1:7⁠–⁠11 )

iii. List of Returning Exiles ( 2:1⁠–⁠70 )

b. Construction of the Second Temple ( 3:1⁠–⁠6:22 )

i.   Sacrifices Restored ( 3:1⁠–⁠7 )

1. Building an Altar ( 3:1⁠–⁠3 )

2. The Feast of Tabernacles Observed ( 3:4⁠–⁠7 )

ii.  Temple Rebuilding Begins ( 3:8⁠–⁠13 )

iii. Adversaries Hinder the Work ( 4:1⁠–⁠24 )

1. Opposition under Cyrus ( 4:1⁠–⁠5 )

3. Opposition under Artaxerxes ( 4:7⁠–⁠24 )

iv. Completion of the Temple ( 5:1⁠–⁠6:22 )

1. Temple Rebuilding Resumes ( 5:1⁠–⁠5 )

2. Tettenai’s Letter to Darius ( 5:6⁠–⁠17 )

3. The Decree of Darius ( 6:1⁠–⁠12 )

4. The Temple Completed ( 6:13⁠–⁠15 )

5. Dedication of the Temple ( 6:16⁠–⁠18 )

6. The Returned Exiles Keep the Passover ( 6:19⁠–⁠22 )

2. Ezra's Return from Babylon ( 7:1⁠–⁠10:44 )

a. Ezra's Return ( 7:1⁠–⁠8:36 )

i.   Ezra Arrives at Jerusalem ( 7:1⁠–⁠10 )

ii.  Atraxerxes’ Letter for Ezra ( 7:11⁠–⁠26 )

iii. Ezra Blesses God ( 7:27⁠–⁠28 )

iv. The Exiles Who Returned with Ezra ( 8:1⁠–⁠14 )

v.  Ezra Sends for the Levites ( 8:15⁠–⁠20 )

vi. Fasting for Protection ( 8:21⁠–⁠23 )

vii. Priests to Guard the Offerings ( 8:24⁠–⁠30 )

viii. Arrival in Jerusalem ( 8:31⁠–⁠36 )

b. Ezra's Revival ( 9:1⁠–⁠10:44 )

i.   Intermarriage with Neighboring Peoples ( 9:1⁠–⁠4 )

ii.  Ezra's Prayer of Confession ( 9:5⁠–⁠15 )

iii. Shecaniah Encourages Ezra ( 10:1⁠–⁠5 )

iv. The People’s Confession of Sin ( 10:6⁠–⁠17 )

v.  Those Guilty of Intermarriage ( 10:18⁠–⁠44 )

Talmud ignes fatui

The Babylonian Talmud says Ezra, the scribe, is said to have enacted ten laws and orders:

1. The public must come together to read from the sefer Torah on Shabbatot.
2. That the courts be opened throughout the Jewish townships on Mondays and Thursdays.
3. That women would launder their clothes, by Thursday due to the Sabbath.
4. That men would eat garlic before the Sabbath to enhance love between a man and wife.
5. That women would rise up early Friday to bake bread for the poor.
6. That women wear a wide waist band for modesty.
7. That Jewish women, during menses, wash and comb their hair three days prior to purification.
8. That the traveling merchants regular visit Jewish townships.
9. That Jewish women and girls go out to relieve themselves.
10. That men who may have had a seminal emission must immerse, mikveh , themselves before reading the Law.

Ezra | Ezra 1 | Ezra 2 | Ezra 3 | Ezra 4 | Ezra 5 | Ezra 6 | Ezra 7 | Ezra 8 | Ezra 9 | Ezra 10

Preceded by: 2 Chronicles - Followed by: Nehemiah

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