Guide to Ezra
Summary
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book, which begin their histories starting from the end of 2 Chronicles and describe the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity. The Book of Ezra in particular details the work of Zerubbabel and Ezra. Following Cyrus’s decree permitting the Jerusalem temple to be rebuilt, little work is effectively done as work is hindered until Zerubbabel arrives and manages to rebuild and dedicate the Temple (Ezra 1–6). Ezra, a Levitical priest and scribe, returns to Jerusalem at a later date and institutes many religious reforms to help the people avoid sins brought on by marrying outside of the covenant (Ezra 7–10).
Book Outline
Videos
Watch selected videos on this book of the Bible to enhance your study. Note: Not all videos included come from a Latter-day Saint perspective. Inclusion on this list should not imply endorsement for all content.
Historical Settings
Time
*All Dates Are Approximate, according to the narrative of the Bible. These dates may reflect literary significance as opposed to the precise dates of history.
See Biblical Chronology- 537–456 B.C.*
Further Reading
Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Dana M. Pike, and David Rolph Seely, Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament: An Illustrated Reference for Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 2009), 360–373.
Adam D. Lamoreaux, “The Work of Ezra and Nehemiah,” in Studies in Scripture, vol. 4: 1 Kings to Malachi, ed. Kent P. Jackson (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1993), 373–385.