The Strand Study Bible

EZRA

Author : Ezra Theme : Rebuilding God’s People Book’s Main Characters Zerubbabel and Ezra

About the Author: Ezra, whose name means “help,” was the son of Seraiah and a direct descendant of Aaron. He was a priest/ prophet to the Jewish remnant in Jerusalem 78 years after the Babylonian captivity ended in 536 BC (Ezra 1:1-3). Ezra began his ministry in 458 BC during the reign of Artaxerxes (King of Medo-Persia). Ezra was a contemporary of Nehemiah and Malachi. About the Book : The book of Ezra records for us the life of two men: Zerubbabel (Ezra 1-6) and Ezra (Ezra 7-10). Chapters 1-6 cover twenty-one years (from 536-515 BC). Chapters 7-10 cover one year (from 458-457 BC). The entire book of Ezra covers seventy-nine years (from 536-457 BC). Helpful Background : Jeremiah had prophesied to the nation of Judah that a seventy-year Babylonian captivity would occur because of their sin (Jere 25:1-11 – 605 BC). The captivity started when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem for the first time in 605 BC (II Ki 24:1) and ended exactly seventy years later in 536 BC when Zerubbabel and 49,897 Jews were allowed by King Cyrus to return to Jerusalem in order to rebuild it (Ezra 1-3). There were three separate decrees given by Medo-Persian rulers allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem: 1. The first decree was issued by King Cyrus (536 BC) Zerubbabel led this expedition (Ezra 1:1-3) and was used of God to rebuild the Temple in 516 BC. 2. The second decree was issued by King Artaxerxes (458 BC) Ezra led this expedition (Ezra 7:1-6) and was used of God to rebuild the people. 3. The third and final decree was given by King Artaxerxes (444 BC) Nehemiah led this expedition (Neh 2:1-6) and was used of God to rebuild the walls. Notes of Interest : 1. Ezra is not quoted in the NT. 2. There are no prophecies referred to in Ezra . 3. There are 3 inset maps used in the book of Ezra . They are numbered chronologically (#261-262,265). Outline of Ezra :

1. Rebuilding God’s house (Ezra 1-6) 2. Rebuilding God’s people (Ezra 7-10) Ezra 1 The decree of King Cyrus (Note - Medo-Persia allows the first group of Jews to return from captivity. This event took place in the 1st year that King Cyrus ruled without the help of Darius the Mede - Dan 9:1 & 11:1) (S/A - II Chro 36:22-23) Date - 536 BC/AM 3464

4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem. 5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them 6 whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. 6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. 7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, 7 which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;

1. See - Isa 41:2-3,25 & 48:14-15 & Dan 8:3 (See Also - Isa 44:28- 45:1-5,13 & 46:11 & 49:23) Note - Cyrus ruled Medo-Persia from 559 - 529 BC. 2. Jere 25:11-12 & 29:10 3. Prov 21:1 4. See - Micah 4:10 & Isa 43:1,4-7 & 44:21- 23,26,28 & 45:1- 5,13-14,16-17,20-21 & 46:4,11 & 48:20 & 49:15,17-23,25 & 51:11-12,17,22 & 52:1-3,6,8-10,12 & Zeph 2:7 & Jere 12:15 & 24:6-7 & 27:22 & 29:10-12,14 & 32:15,42-44 & 50:4-5,8 5. or, “Temple” - Rev 21:3 6. Phil 2:13 7. II Ki 24:13 & 25:13 -17 & II Chro 36:7,18

1 Now in the first year of 1 Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD 2 by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD 3 stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, 4 that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, PF PF 2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, 4 The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an 5 HOUSE at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. PF 3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, 4 and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. PF

8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. 1:2 Most likely, Daniel showed King Cyrus the prophecies concerning his name and how God was planning to use him to “rebuild the Temple” for the Jewish people (Isa 44:28-45:13). 1:4 King Cyrus was impressed of God to allow the Jews to go home... with pay (Prov 21:1 and Ezra 6:1-5). 1:8 Sheshbazzar was Zerubbabel’s Babylonian name (Ezra 5:16 and Zech 4:9). Sheshbazzar’s name means “O Shamash [the god], protect the father.” Zerubbabel was the grandson of King Jeconiah (I Chro 3:17-19 and Hag 2:23). 760