The Book of Ezra
by Owen Borville
August 19, 2020
Bible
Timeline: 550-350 B.C.
The Book of Ezra describes the return of Israelites from Babylonian and Persian exile to Jerusalem and Judah and the preparations for rebuilding their temple. Ezra was a Jewish scribe and priest. Cyrus, the King of Persia whose kingdom had occupied the Israeli people, had a God-inspired mission to return the people to their homeland and allow them to rebuild their temple.
1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Ezra 1:1-2.
Israelites Returned from Exile Under King Cyrus of Persia: Ezra 1
Items from the Temple that were carried off by Babylon were also returned along with the exiles.
The total number of exiles numbered 42,360 (Ezra 2:64) and Ezra 2 lists the families and tribes of those who returned.
List of Exiles Returned: Ezra 2
A list of Israeli exiles who were exiled by Babylon and were allowed to return under Persian occupation by King Cyrus.
Rebuilding the Altar and the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem: Ezra 3
The Israelites work to rebuild the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
Opposition to Rebuilding the Temple of the Lord: Ezra 4
There was some opposition in the Persian Empire for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after Cyrus, as work stopped under King Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:23), but work resumed under King Darius and was competed in the sixth year of Darius' reign (Ezra 6:15).
Tattenai (Governor's) Letter to King Darius Questioning Rebuilding Temple: Ezra 5
The Governor Tattenai sent a letter to King Darius questioning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
Darius Confirms Rebuilding Temple, Temple Completed, Passover Celebration: Ezra 6
King Darius decreed to complete the temple. Reconstruction of the Temple was completed and dedicated. Passover was also celebrated after.
Artaxerxes is later convinced by Ezra, the Jewish scribe and priest, to support the Israeli efforts to establish the Temple and worship services and is confirmed by a letter from Artaxerxes to Ezra.
Ezra Comes to Jerusalem: Ezra 7
Families Returning with Ezra from Exile to Jerusalem: Ezra 8
Ezra Discusses Intermarriage with Jews and non-Jews and urges Israelis to not intermarry in Chapter 9 and some foreign wives and children are sent away. (Ezra 10)
Ezra's Prayer on Intermarriage: Ezra 9
Israelites Confess Sin: Ezra 10
by Owen Borville
August 19, 2020
Bible
Timeline: 550-350 B.C.
The Book of Ezra describes the return of Israelites from Babylonian and Persian exile to Jerusalem and Judah and the preparations for rebuilding their temple. Ezra was a Jewish scribe and priest. Cyrus, the King of Persia whose kingdom had occupied the Israeli people, had a God-inspired mission to return the people to their homeland and allow them to rebuild their temple.
1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Ezra 1:1-2.
Israelites Returned from Exile Under King Cyrus of Persia: Ezra 1
Items from the Temple that were carried off by Babylon were also returned along with the exiles.
The total number of exiles numbered 42,360 (Ezra 2:64) and Ezra 2 lists the families and tribes of those who returned.
List of Exiles Returned: Ezra 2
A list of Israeli exiles who were exiled by Babylon and were allowed to return under Persian occupation by King Cyrus.
Rebuilding the Altar and the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem: Ezra 3
The Israelites work to rebuild the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.
Opposition to Rebuilding the Temple of the Lord: Ezra 4
There was some opposition in the Persian Empire for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem after Cyrus, as work stopped under King Artaxerxes (Ezra 4:23), but work resumed under King Darius and was competed in the sixth year of Darius' reign (Ezra 6:15).
Tattenai (Governor's) Letter to King Darius Questioning Rebuilding Temple: Ezra 5
The Governor Tattenai sent a letter to King Darius questioning the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
Darius Confirms Rebuilding Temple, Temple Completed, Passover Celebration: Ezra 6
King Darius decreed to complete the temple. Reconstruction of the Temple was completed and dedicated. Passover was also celebrated after.
Artaxerxes is later convinced by Ezra, the Jewish scribe and priest, to support the Israeli efforts to establish the Temple and worship services and is confirmed by a letter from Artaxerxes to Ezra.
Ezra Comes to Jerusalem: Ezra 7
Families Returning with Ezra from Exile to Jerusalem: Ezra 8
Ezra Discusses Intermarriage with Jews and non-Jews and urges Israelis to not intermarry in Chapter 9 and some foreign wives and children are sent away. (Ezra 10)
Ezra's Prayer on Intermarriage: Ezra 9
Israelites Confess Sin: Ezra 10
