Reference: Ezra, Book of
Easton
This book is the record of events occurring at the close of the Babylonian exile. It was at one time included in Nehemiah, the Jews regarding them as one volume. The two are still distinguished in the Vulgate version as I. and II. Esdras. It consists of two principal divisions:
(1.) The history of the first return of exiles, in the first year of Cyrus (B.C. 536), till the completion and dedication of the new temple, in the sixth year of Darius Hystapes (B.C. 515), ch. 1-6. From the close of the sixth to the opening of the seventh chapter there is a blank in the history of about sixty years.
(2.) The history of the second return under Ezra, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes Longimanus, and of the events that took place at Jerusalem after Ezra's arrival there (7-10).
The book thus contains memorabilia connected with the Jews, from the decree of Cyrus (B.C. 536) to the reformation by Ezra (B.C. 456), extending over a period of about eighty years.
There is no quotation from this book in the New Testament, but there never has been any doubt about its being canonical. Ezra was probably the author of this book, at least of the greater part of it (comp. Ezr 7:27-28; 8:1, etc.), as he was also of the Books of Chronicles, the close of which forms the opening passage of Ezra.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Praised be Jehovah the God of our fathers who gave according to this in the king's heart, to adorn the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem: And extended mercy upon me before the king and his counselors, and to all the kings mighty chiefs. And I was strengthened according to the hand of Jehovah my God upon me, and I shall gather together from Israel the heads to go up with me.
And these the heads of their fathers, and the register of them going up with me in the kingdom of Arthasatha from Babel
Hastings
Our present Book of Ezra, which consists of 10 chapters, is really part of a composite work, Ezra-Nehemiah, which, again, is the continuation of Chronicles. The entire work
See Verses Found in Dictionary
To fill up the word of Jehovah in the mouth of Jeremiah, till the land delighted in her Sabbaths: all the days she was laid waste she rested, to complete seventy years. And in the year one to Cyrus king of Persia, to complete the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah, Jehovah roused up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he will cause a voice to pass in all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying, read more. Thus said Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth gave Jehovah the God of the heavens to me; and he charged upon me to build to him a house in Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who among you from all his people? Jehovah his God be with him, and he shall go up.
Thus said Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth gave Jehovah the God of the heavens to me; and he charged upon me to build to him a house in Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who among you from all his people? Jehovah his God be with him, and he shall go up.
In one year to Cyrus the king of Persia, to complete the word of Jehovah from the month of Jeremiah, Jehovah roused up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he will cause a voice to pass through in all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying, Thus said Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth Jehovah gave to me, the God of the heavens; and he charged upon me to build for him a house in Jerusalem which is in Judah. read more. Who among you from all his people? His God shall be with him, and he shall go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and he shall build the house of Jehovah God of Israel, (he is the God) Which is in Jerusalem.
And in the kingdom of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his kingdom, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. And in the days of Arthasatha, wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his colleagues, to Arthasatha, king of Persia; and the writing of the letter' being written in Syriac, and being interpreted in Syriac.
And in the days of Arthasatha, wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his colleagues, to Arthasatha, king of Persia; and the writing of the letter' being written in Syriac, and being interpreted in Syriac. Rehum, lord of judgment, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote one epistle against Jerusalem to Arthasatha the king, thus:
Rehum, lord of judgment, and Shimshai, the scribe, wrote one epistle against Jerusalem to Arthasatha the king, thus: Then Rehum lord of judment, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues, the Danites and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babelites, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, the Elamites,
Then Rehum lord of judment, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues, the Danites and the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babelites, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, the Elamites, And the rest of the nations that the great and honored Asnapper carried into exile, and he caused them to dwell in the cities of Shomeron, and the rest beyond the river, and thus.
And the rest of the nations that the great and honored Asnapper carried into exile, and he caused them to dwell in the cities of Shomeron, and the rest beyond the river, and thus. This the copy of the epistle that they sent to him to Arthasatha the king; thy servants the men beyond the river, and thus.
This the copy of the epistle that they sent to him to Arthasatha the king; thy servants the men beyond the river, and thus. To be known to the king that the Jews who went up from with thee to us, came to Jerusalem, building the perverse and bad city, and they completed its wall, and they will repair its foundations.
To be known to the king that the Jews who went up from with thee to us, came to Jerusalem, building the perverse and bad city, and they completed its wall, and they will repair its foundations. Now to be known to the king that if this city shall be built and the walls be completed, tribute, excise, and toll, they will not give, and in the end it will endamage the kings.
Now to be known to the king that if this city shall be built and the walls be completed, tribute, excise, and toll, they will not give, and in the end it will endamage the kings. Now for the cause that we were salted with the salt of the temple, and not being fit to us to see the king's nakedness, for this we sent and made known to the king;
Now for the cause that we were salted with the salt of the temple, and not being fit to us to see the king's nakedness, for this we sent and made known to the king; That it shall be sought in the book of the records of thy fathers: and thou wilt find in the book of the records, and thou wilt know that this city a city perverse and endamaging kings and provinces, and working rebellion in the midst of it from days forever: for this, this city was laid waste.
That it shall be sought in the book of the records of thy fathers: and thou wilt find in the book of the records, and thou wilt know that this city a city perverse and endamaging kings and provinces, and working rebellion in the midst of it from days forever: for this, this city was laid waste. We making known to the king that if this city shall be built, and its walls be completed, for this cause a portion beyond the river shall not be to thee.
We making known to the king that if this city shall be built, and its walls be completed, for this cause a portion beyond the river shall not be to thee. And the king sent word to Rehum, lord of judgment, and to Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues who dwelt in Shomeron, and the rest beyond the river, Peace and as now.
And the king sent word to Rehum, lord of judgment, and to Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their colleagues who dwelt in Shomeron, and the rest beyond the river, Peace and as now. The epistle that ye sent to us being read distinctly before me.
The epistle that ye sent to us being read distinctly before me. And a decree being set from me, and they sought and found that this city from days forever lifting itself up against kings, and perverseness and rebellion being made in it
And a decree being set from me, and they sought and found that this city from days forever lifting itself up against kings, and perverseness and rebellion being made in it And strong kings were over Jerusalem, and ruling over all beyond the river: and tribute, excise, and, toll, being given to them.
And strong kings were over Jerusalem, and ruling over all beyond the river: and tribute, excise, and, toll, being given to them. Now set up a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city shall not be built till a decree shall be set up from me.
Now set up a decree to cause these men to cease, and this city shall not be built till a decree shall be set up from me. And be ye warned from doing wrong upon this: wherefore shall harm overtake to endamage the kings?
And be ye warned from doing wrong upon this: wherefore shall harm overtake to endamage the kings? Then after the copy of the epistle of Arthasatha the king being read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their colleagues, they went away to Jerusalem to the Jews, and caused them to cease by arm and strength. read more. At that time ceased the work of the house of God which is in Jerusalem. And it was ceasing even till two years to the kingdom of Darius king of Persia.
And the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews that were in Judah and in Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, to them.
The copy of the epistle that Tatnai, prefect beyond the river, sent, and Shethar-Bozni and his colleagues, the Apharsachites, that were beyond the river to Darius the king:
The copy of the epistle that Tatnai, prefect beyond the river, sent, and Shethar-Bozni and his colleagues, the Apharsachites, that were beyond the river to Darius the king: They sent an epistle to him, thus it was written in the midst of it: To Darius the king, all peace. read more. To be known to the king that we went to the Judah province, to the house of the great God; and it was building with stone of rolling, and wood being set up in the walls; and this work being diligently done, and prospering in their hands. Then we asked these old men, thus we said to them, Who set to you a decree to build this house and to complete this wall? And also we asked their names for them to make known to thee that we shall write the name of the men that were among their heads. And thus they returned us word, saying, We are the servants of the God of the heavens and the earth, and build the house that was built of old these many years, and a great king to Israel built and completed. Therefore after our fathers provoked to the God of the heavens to be angry, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel, the Chaldean, and he destroyed this house, and the people he carried away in exile to Babel.
And God who shall cause his name to dwell there shall cast down every king and people that shall send forth his hand to change, to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius set up a decree; it shall be done speedily. Then Tatnai, prefect beyond the river Shethar-Boznai, and three colleagues, because of that Darius the king sent, thus they did speedily. read more. And the old men of the Jews built and prospered in the prophesy of Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah son of Iddo. And built and completed according to the decree of the God of Israel, and from the decree of Cyrus and Darius, and Arthasatha king of Persia. And this house was finished even to the third day to the month Adar, which was the sixth year to the kingdom of Darius the king. And the sons of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the sons of the exile, made the consecration of this house of God in gladness.
And the sons of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the sons of the exile, made the consecration of this house of God in gladness.
And the sons of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the sons of the exile, made the consecration of this house of God in gladness. And they brought near to the consecration of this house of God a hundred oxen, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and he goats of the goats for sin, for all Israel twelve, for the number of the tribes of Israel. read more. And they set up the priests in their division, and the Levites in their classes, for the work of God which is in Jerusalem; according to the writing of the book of Moses. And the sons of the exile will do the passover in the fourteenth to the first month. For the priests and Levites were purified as one, all of them being purified; and they will slaughter the pass-over for all the sons of the exile, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. And the sons of Israel will eat; those turning back from exile and every one being separated from the uncleanness of the nations of the earth to them, to seek for Jehovah the God of Israel; And they will do the festival of the unleavened seven days in gladness: for Jehovah gladdened them, and turned the heart of the king of Assur to them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel
And after these words in the kingdom of Arthasatha king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, Son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, read more. Son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, Son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, Son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the head priest: This Ezra went up from Babel; and he a scribe skilled in the law of Moses which Jehovah God of Israel gave: and the king will give to him according to the hand of Jehovah upon him all his seeking. And there will go up from the sons of Israel, and from the priests and the Levites, and those singing, and they watching the gates, and the Nethinims, to Jerusalem, in the seventh year to Arthasatha the king. And he will come to Jerusalem in the fifth month, this the seventh year to the king. For in one to the first month he laid the foundation of going up from Babel, and in one to the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of Jehovah, and to do, and to teach in Israel the law and judgment. And this the copy of the epistle which king Arthasatha gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, the scribe of the words of the commands of Jehovah and of his laws upon Israel
And this the copy of the epistle which king Arthasatha gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, the scribe of the words of the commands of Jehovah and of his laws upon Israel Arthasatha, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of the heavens, being perfected, and thus. read more. A decree was set from me that all being willing in my kingdom, from the people of Israel and his priests and Levites, to go to Jerusalem, shall go with thee. For the cause that being sent from before the king and the seven counselors to seek concerning Judah and for Jerusalem, by the law of thy God that is in thy hand; And to bring the silver and the gold that the king and his counselors gave willingly to the God of Israel, whom his dwelling in Jerusalem. And all the silver and gold that thou shalt find in all the province of Babel, with the voluntary gifts of the people and the priests giving willingly to the house of their God that is in Jerusalem: For this cause speedily shalt thou buy with this silver, oxen, rams, lambs, with their gifts and their libations, and thou shalt bring them near upon the altar of the house of your God that is in Jerusalem. And whatever to thee and to thy brethren shall be good to do with the rest of the silver and gold; according to the will of your God ye shall do. And the vessels that are given to thee for the service of the house of thy God, restore before the God of Jerusalem. And the rest being necessary for the house of thy God, that shall fall to thee to give thou shalt give from the house of the king's treasure. And from me, I Arthasatha the king, a decree was set up to all the treasurers that are beyond the river, that all which Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of the heavens, shall ask of you, shall be done speedily' Even to a hundred talents of silver, and even to a hundred cors of wheat, and even to a hundred baths of wine, and even to a hundred baths of oil, and salt that was not written. All that from the decree of the God of the heavens shall be done diligently for the house of the God of the heavens: for why to be wrath upon the kingdom of the king and his sons? And making known to you that all the priests and Levites, the players, the porters, the Nethinims, and those serving this house of God, tribute, excise and toll, not being permitted to be lifted up upon them. And thou Ezra, according to the wisdom of thy God that is in thy hand, appoint judges and tribunals to be judging for all the people that are beyond the river, to all knowing the laws of thy God; and those not knowing ye shall cause to know. And all not to be doing the laws of thy God, and the laws of the king, judgment to be done speedily upon him, if whether to death or to rooting him out, or to impose fines and for bonds. Praised be Jehovah the God of our fathers who gave according to this in the king's heart, to adorn the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem:
They coming from the captivity, the sons of the exile, brought near burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven he lambs, the he goats of the sin, twelve: all the burnt-offering to Jehovah.
They coming from the captivity, the sons of the exile, brought near burnt-offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven he lambs, the he goats of the sin, twelve: all the burnt-offering to Jehovah. And they will give the king's laws to the king's satraps and prefects beyond the river: and they lifted up the people and the house of God.
And they will give the king's laws to the king's satraps and prefects beyond the river: and they lifted up the people and the house of God.
O Jehovah God of Israel, thou art just: for we remained an escaping as this day: behold us before thee in our guilts; for not to stand before thee for
O Jehovah God of Israel, thou art just: for we remained an escaping as this day: behold us before thee in our guilts; for not to stand before thee for
These the sons of the province coming up from the captivity of the: exile which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel carried into exile; and they will turn back to Jerusalem and to Judah, a man to his city; Those coming with Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: read more. The sons of Parosh, two thousand one hundred and seventy and two. The sons of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy and two. The sons of Arah, six hundred fifty and two. The sons of Pahath-Moab to the sons of Joshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred and eighteen. The sons of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. The sons of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five. The sons of Zaccai, seven hundred and sixty. The sons of Binnui, six hundred forty and eight The sons of Bebai, six hundred twenty and eight The sons of Azgad, two thousand three hundred twenty and two. The sons of Adonikam, six hundred sixty and seven. The sons of Bigvai, two thousand sixty and seven. The sons of Adin, six hundred fifty and five. The sons of Ater to Hezekiah, ninety and eight The sons of Hashum, three hundred twenty and eight The sons of Bezai, three hundred twenty and four. The sons of Hariph, a hundred and twelve. The sons of Gibeon, ninety and five. The men of the house of bread and Netophah, a hundred eighty and eight The men of Anathoth, a hundred twenty and eight The men of the house strong as death, forty and two. The men of the city of forests, Chephirah and Beeroth, seven hundred forty and three. The men of Ramah and Gaba, six hundred twenty and one. The men of Michmas, a hundred and twenty and two. The men of the house of God and Ai, a hundred twenty and three. The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two. The sons of the other Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four. The sons of Harim, three hundred and twenty. The sons of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty and one. The sons of Senaah, three thousand nine hundred and thirty. The priests: the sons of Jedaiah for the house of Joshua, nine hundred seventy and three. The sons of Immer, a thousand fifty and two. The sons of Pashur, a thousand two hundred forty and seven. The sons of Harim, a thousand and seventeen. The Levites: the sons of Joshua to Kadmiel, to the sons to Hodevah, seventy and four. Those singing: the sons of Asaph, a hundred forty and eight The gate keepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, a hundred thirty and eight The Nethinims: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, The sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, The sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmi. The sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, The sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, The sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, The sons of Bezai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephishesim, The sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, The sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, The sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Thamah, The sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha, The sons of Solomon's servant's: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, The sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, The sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth of Zebaim, the sons of Amon. All the Nethinims, and the sons of Solomon's servants, three hundred ninety and two. And these going up from TelMela, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer: and they could not announce their father's house, and their seed, if they were from Israel. The sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two And from the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Koz, the sons of Barzillai, who took from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite a wife, and he will be called for their name. These sought their writing of those being enrolled, and it was not found: and they will be defiled from the priesthood. And the Tirshatha will say to them that they shall not eat from the holy of holies till a priest stood up for Lights and Truth. All the convocation as one four myriads two thousand three hundred and sixty. Besides their servants and their maids, these seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and to them men singing and women singing, two hundred and forty and five: Their horses, seven hundred thirty and six: their mules two hundred forty and five: The camels four hundred thirty and five: and the asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. And from the sum of heads of the fathers they gave for the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure gold a thousand drachmas, fifty vases, thirty and five hundred priests' tunics. And from the chiefs of the fathers they gave to the treasure of the work, gold, two myriads of drachmas, and silver, two thousand two hundred portions. And what the rest of the people gave was gold, two myriads of drachmas, and silver, two thousand portions, and priests' tunics, sixty and seven. And there dwelt the priests and the Levites and the gatekeepers, and those singing, and from the people and the Nethinims, and all Israel in their cities; and the seventh month will draw near, and the sons of Israel in their cities.
Thou thyself, O Jehovah, thou alone, didst make the heavens, the heavens of heavens, with all their army, the earth and all that is upon it, the seas and all that is in them, and thou makest alive all of them: and the army of the heavens worshiping to thee.
For to the cells shall the sons of Israel and the sons of Levi bring the oblations of the grain, of the new wine and the new oil, and there the vessels of the holy place, and the priests serving, and the gate-keepers and those singing: and we will not forsake the house of our God.
Smith
Ez'ra, Book of,
is a continuation of the books of Chronicles. The period covered by the book is eighty years, from the first of Cyrus, B.C. 536, to the beginning of the eighth of Artaxerxes, B.C. 456. It consist of the contemporary historical journals kept from time to time, containing, chs. 1-12, and account of the return of the captives under Zerubbabel, and the rebuilding of the temple in the reign of Cyrus and Cambyses. Most of the book is written in Hebrew, but from chs. 4:8 to 6:19 it is written in Chaldee. The last four chapters, beginning with ch. 7, continue the history after a gap of fifty-eight years --from the sixth of Darius to the seventh of Artaxerxes-- narrating his visit to Jerusalem, and giving an account of the reforms there accomplished, referred to under EZRA. Much of the book was written by Ezra himself, though the first chapter was probably written by Daniel; and other hands are evident.
See Ezra