Exile, return & later writings
About this date: Narrative setting, composition date, and the date of events described may differ and should not be collapsed.
Exile, Persian restoration, diaspora stories, wisdom, and Maccabean resistance lead into later Jewish history and writings.
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
- Babylonian conquest and Persian rule are distinct settings; return unfolds over time.
- Diaspora and court stories use different literary forms to explore fidelity.
- Sirach and Maccabean writings belong to later Jewish history and varied Christian canons.
Scripture
- 2 Kings 24–25 — Babylonian conquest, deportation, and Jerusalem's destruction establish the exile setting.
- Ezra 1–7; Nehemiah 1–8 — Return, Temple restoration, wall rebuilding, and Torah reading unfold under Persian rule.
- Esther 2–9 — Esther's court story explains deliverance and Purim.
- Daniel 1–7 — Court tales and visions portray fidelity under foreign empires.
- 1 Maccabees 1–4 — Persecution, resistance, and Temple rededication open the Maccabean narrative.
Primary sources
After his canonical list, Athanasius writes:
Athanasius supplies a concrete fourth-century example of distinguishing books called canonical from other books approved for instruction.
there are other books besides these not indeed included in the Canon, but appointed by the Fathers to be read
Passage context and translation
After listing books he calls canonical, Athanasius names another group he regards as useful for instruction, including Wisdom, Sirach, Judith, and Tobit. His list is one influential fourth-century witness and is not identical to every later Christian canon.
Before the excerpt
But for greater exactness I add this also, writing of necessity
After the excerpt
by those who newly join us, and who wish for instruction in the word of godliness
Sources and further reading
- USCCB introduction to 1 Maccabees
Literary and historical introduction; not independent verification of every narrated event. - USCCB introduction to 2 Kings
Literary and historical introduction; not independent verification of every narrated event. - USCCB introduction to Daniel
Literary and historical introduction; not independent verification of every narrated event. - USCCB introduction to Esther
Literary and historical introduction; not independent verification of every narrated event. - 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.
Related records
- Esther and Jewish life under Persia
- Daniel's court tales and visions
- Wisdom of Sirach
- Maccabean revolt begins
- Nebuchadnezzar II
- Belshazzar
- Cyrus
- Zerubbabel
- Joshua the high priest
- Esther
- Mordecai
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- Tobit
- Tobias
- Judith
- Susanna
- Jesus ben Sira
- Mattathias
- Judas Maccabeus
- Jonathan Maccabeus
- Simon Maccabeus