Ezra — Introduction & Outline

Ezra is the likely author of the book with his name. Besides the weight of Hebrew tradition, the internal evidence suggests this. The first person is used in Ezra's narration (7:27- 9:15) and there is the same priestly emphasis and style of Chronicles, as well as obvious continuity (1:1-3; 2 Chr. 36:22-23). Ezra evidently used other available documents when he compiled the book as indicated by the Aramaic sections (4:7-6:18; 7:12-26).

Ezra was a Levite and direct descendant of Aaron (7:1-5). His father, Seraiah the high priest, was slain by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 B.C. (7:1; 2 Kings 25:18-22). As a renowned priest and scribe of the law (7:21) Ezra led the post-exilic remnant in rebuilding the temple and restoring temple worship.

The date of writing could be no earlier than 450 B.C., which is the probable date for the events of 10:17-44, and is evidently no later than the events of Nehemiah which begin in 444 B.C.

Ezra covers two periods of post-exilic history separated by a gap of nearly 60 years.

Chapters 1-6 cover the 23 years from Cyrus' edict to the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel (538-515 B.C.). Then chapters 7-10 cover the period after Ezra returns from Babylon in 458 B.C. The book thus records the first two of three returns from Babylon, the third being under Nehemiah in 444 B.C.

Politically, this period is a new era in Israel's history. Persia has conquered Babylon (539 B.C.) and instituted new policies affecting the Jews. They allowed and subsidized the return of exiles to their homelands in order to promote peaceful relations. Some Jews, such as Daniel, Esther, and Mordecai, actually enjoyed a great amount of influence with the Persians.

The kings mentioned in Ezra's record are Cyrus (559-530 B.C.; cf. 1:1ff.), Ahasuerus (Cambyses, 530-522 B.C.; cf. 4:6,21), Darius (Hystapis I, 521-486 B.C.; cf. 6:1ff.), and Artaxerxes I (Longimanus, 465-424 B.C.; cf. 7:1ff.).

The religious tone of the Persian empire was more tolerant toward other faiths like Judaism. The exile of Judah resulted in new spiritual fervor and Messianic expectation in the returning remnant. Haggai and Zechariah, two prophets who ministered during the government of Zerubbabel, encouraged the people in their restoration of the temple and temple worship and incited their Messianic hope.

The book of Ezra continues and completes the history of Israel presented in Chronicles by documenting the return of the Jews to the land and their restoration of the temple. Theologically, it was written to demonstrate the faithfulness of God to his covenant with Israel, and thus encourage the people to faithfulness in their temple worship and covenant obligations.

Ezra divides into two sections separated by almost 60 years. The first 6 chapters record the return to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel. The rest of the book records the return and restoration led by Ezra.

The return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple under Zerubbabel (1:1-6:22) relate the events of the first return to Jerusalem by the remnant. As Jeremiah predicted (Jer. 29:10ff.), Judah's captivity comes to an end (1:1-11). Cyrus decrees the freedom and the subsidies which will help the Jews return. There follows a list of the names of those who returned (2:1-70). Such a list would prove helpful in the organization of the temple and the nation.

The work of rebuilding the temple takes place in several stages (3:1-6:22). The project begins with the rebuilding of the altar and the renewed worship of the enthusiastic remnant (3:1-7) before the foundation is laid (3:8-13). The emotional response at the foundation's completion shows the joy experienced by the realization of God's faithfulness (3:11- 13). The work progresses from there only to meet the opposition of enemies which interrupts the construction (4:1-24). Opposition is recorded in three periods: under Cyrus (4:1-5), under Ahasuerus (4:6), and under Artaxerxes (4:7-24). Under the latter a letter charging Israel with seditious intent influences Artaxerxes to decree the end of construction. However, construction is resumed under Darius (5:1-6:12; 4:24) encouraged by the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (5:1- 2). A letter of complaint and inquiry sent to Darius by Tattenai the regional governor (5:3-17) receives a researched answer decreeing permission for the Jews to build (6:1-12). Construction is then resumed and completed (6:13-22). To mark the climactic achievement the Jews worship God and observe the Passover. This ends the account of the first restoration of the temple, a project sanctioned with the blessing of God (6:22).

The second half of the book records the return to Jerusalem and the restoration under Ezra (7:1-10:44). This section begins with the description of the return to Jerusalem (7:1-8:36). First, Ezra is introduced to display his qualifications (7:1-10). This is followed by a copy of the letter of Artaxerxes permitting the return of Ezra and the captives to Jerusalem (7:11-26). Ezra's response to the letter exhibits his recognition of God's sovereignty in the matter (7:27-28).

After a list of the people who returned (8:1-14), there is another illustration of God's sovereignty in the account of the return to Jerusalem (8:15-36). In answer to fasting and prayer, God protects them from enemies on their journey so that they arrive safely.

The last event narrated in Ezra describes the restoration of the people (9:1-10:44) after their sinful intermarriage with local pagans is discovered (9:1-2). Ezra's repentance and prayer reminds God of His past faithfulness while confessing Israel's present unfaithfulness (9:5- 15). This moves the people to confession and repentance (10:1-17) to which Ezra responds by commanding them to separate from the pagan wives (10:9-15). The people are obedient to the command and their separations are recorded by groups: the priests (10:18-22), the Levites (10:23-24), and the general populace (10:25-44). Ezra thus ends with a sinful situation used to demonstrate the overriding devotion of the remnant to God's will. This is an encouragement to God's people, as is the previous narrative showing God's faithfulness in building the temple and returning the people to the promised land.

1. The Return to Jerusalem and Rebuilding under Zerubbabel 1:1-6:22

   1. The end of the Babylonian captivity 1:1-11

      1. The decree of Cyrus freeing the Jews 1:1-4
      2. The collection of gifts for the temple 1:5-11
   2. The record of the people who returned 2:1-70

      1. The people of known descent 2:1-58

         1. The leaders 2:1-2
         2. The families 2:3-20
         3. The cities 2:21-35
         4. The priests 2:36-39
         5. The Levites 2:40-42
         6. The temple servants 2:43-54
         7. The servants of Solomon 2:55-58
      2. The people of unknown descent 2:59-63

         1. The people 2:59-60
         2. The priests 2:61-63
      3. The summary of the people who returned 2:64-70

         1. The number of people and livestock 2:64-67
         2. The gifts of the leaders 2:68-70
   3. The rebuilding of the temple 3:1-6:22

      1. The beginning of construction 3:1-13

         1. The rebuilt altar and renewed worship 3:1-7
         2. The completion of the temple foundation 3:8-13
      2. The interruption of construction 4:1-24

         1. Opposition under Cyrus and Darius 4:1-5
         2. Opposition under Ahasuerus 4:6
         3. Opposition under Artaxerxes 4:7-24
         1. The opponents' letter to Artaxerxes 4:7-16
         2. The answer of Artaxerxes 4:17-22
         3. The cessation of construction 4:23-24
      3. The resumption of construction 5:1-6:12

         1. The encouragement of the prophets 5:1-2
         2. The opposition of Tattenai 5:3-17
         1. The protest of Tattenai to the Jews 5:3-5
         2. The letter of Tattenai to Darius 5:6-17
         3. The decree of Darius 6:1-12
         1. The discovery of Cyrus' decree 6:1-2
         2. The previous decree of Cyrus 6:3-5
         3. The new decree of Darius 6:6-12
      4. The completion of construction 6:13-22

         1. The completion of the temple 6:13-15
         2. The dedication of the temple 6:16-18
         3. The celebration of the Passover 6:19-22
2. The Return to Jerusalem and Restoration under Ezra 7:1-10:44

   1. The return to Jerusalem 7:1-8:36

      1. The introduction to Ezra 7:1-10
      1. The priestly qualifications of Ezra 7:1-6
      2. The summary of Ezra's journey 7:7-10
      2. The letter of Artaxerxes 7:11-28
      1. The content of the letter 7:11-26

         1. The permission to return with wealth 7:11-20
         2. The instruction to the treasurers 7:21-24
         3. The permission for self-government 7:25-26
      2. Ezra's response to the letter 7:27-28
      3. The list of the people who returned 8:1-14
      4. The account of the return to Jerusalem 8:15-36
      1. The preparations for the journey 8:15-30

         1. The selection of temple servants 8:15-20
         2. The proclamation of a fast 8:21-23
         3. The distribution of gifts for the temple 8:24-30
      2. The safe journey and arrival in Jerusalem 8:31-32
      3. The initial duties discharged in Jerusalem 8:33-36
   2. The restoration of the people 9:1-10:44

      1. The sinful intermarriage of the people 9:1-2
      2. The intercession of Ezra 9:3-15

         1. His great grief 9:3-4
         2. His intercessory prayer 9:5-15
         1. God's past faithfulness 9:5-9
         2. Israel's present unfaithfulness 9:10-15
      3. The repentance of the people 10:1-17

         1. The confession of the people 10:1-4
         2. The response of Ezra 10:5-8
         3. The command of Ezra 10:9-15
         4. The obedience of the people 10:16-17
      4. The separation of the people from pagan wives 10:18-44

         1. The separation of the priests 10:18-22
         2. The separation of the Levites 10:23-24
         3. The separation of the people 10:25-44