Ezra
About this date: Narrative setting, composition date, and the date of events described may differ and should not be collapsed.
Scribe and priest associated with Torah teaching.
Historical context
Kings, Ezra–Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel, and later Jewish writings explore conquest, diaspora, restoration, wisdom, persecution, and resistance. Several writings have different canonical status across Christian traditions.
Key points
- Scribe and priest associated with Torah teaching.
- Primary reading: Ezra 7–10; Nehemiah 8. Read the complete passage in its literary context.
- Keep Babylonian, Persian, Hellenistic, and diaspora settings distinct, and note where traditions differ over these writings.
Scripture
- Ezra 7–10; Nehemiah 8 — Principal biblical passage cluster for Ezra; check the summary against the complete text.
Primary sources
The book says of Ezra:
Ezra's narrative directly joins study of the law, practice, and teaching in Israel.
Ezra had set his heart to seek Yahweh's law, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Passage context and translation
The verse follows Ezra's journey from Babylon and introduces the royal letter that calls him priest and scribe of the divine law.
Before the excerpt
according to the good hand of his God on him
After the excerpt
Now this is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe
Sources and further reading
- USCCB introduction to Ezra
Literary and historical introduction; not independent verification of every narrated event. - USCCB introduction to Nehemiah
Literary and historical introduction; not independent verification of every narrated event.