15 Ezra

Ezra, 538 BC

Cyrus' decree

Ezra 1

Decree of Cyrus to return to Jerusalem

Ezra 7:10

Ezra's philosophy of ministry: study, apply, teach

Ezra, Outline

I. The First Return and Reconstruction under Zerubbabel (1-6) II. The Second Return and Reform under Ezra (7-10)

Ezra, Author/Date

Most likely the priest Ezra, who would have written around the middle of the 5th century BC, in the decades after the second return from Persia (458 BC)

Cyrus

Persian King who allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the temple c. 538 BC

Ezra (in Ezra)

Priest, scribe, great reformer and expert in the Law. Under his spiritual leadership, the children of Israel reform and put away their foreign wives

Ezra, Theme

Rebuilding the Temple and People The book focuses on God's faithfulness, seen in the Jews return from Babylon, the reconstruction of the temple, and the reform of the people.

Ezra, 458 BC

Return and reform under Ezra

Ezra, 536 BC

Return under Zerubbabel

Ezra 9-10

Sin of mixed marriage, and repentance

Ezra, 516 BC

Temple completed

Joshua (in Ezra)

the high priest, who returned with and aided Zerubbabel in rebuilding the altar and the Temple

Ezra, Key Chapters (1-6)

1 > Decree of Cyrus to return to Jerusalem 3-6 > Construction of the 2nd temple

Ezra, Key Dates

538 BC - Cyrus' decree 536 BC - Return under Zerubbabel 516 BC - Temple completed 458 BC - Return and reform under Ezra

Ezra, Key Chapters (7-10)

7 > Ezra leads 2nd return 9-10 > Sin of mixed marriage, and repentance

Ezra, Key Passages

7:10 > Ezra's philosophy of ministry: study, apply, teach

Ezra, Key People

CYRUS - Persian King who allowed the Jews to return and rebuild the temple c. 538 BC EZRA - Priest, scribe, great reformer and expert in the Law. Under his spiritual leadership, the children of Israel reform and put away their foreign wives JOSHUA - the high priest, who returned with and aided Zerubbabel in rebuilding the altar and the Temple

Ezra 3-6

Construction of the 2nd temple

Ezra 7

Ezra leads 2nd return