Ezra
Prisoners Return to Jerusalem And Judah
The people of Judah that were taken as prisoners to Babylonia continue to return to Jerusalem and their own towns in Judah (vv. 14-58). They are listed in their family groups and the part if Judah they came from. A total is given of how many ancestors returned from each town (vv. …
The People Rebuild The Temple
By the time the events of Chapter 3 took place obviously some time had elapsed, though it is not known exactly how long. But here it is told that the altar was set up and being used (vv. 1-3). In building the altar they did not follow any recent altar styles they may have observe …
The King Stops The Rebuilding of Jerusalem
King Xerxes answers the letter written to him by the Samaritan leaders (v. 17). He states that after their letter had been translated to him (v. 18) he did some research and found out it was true that for years Jerusalem has rebelled and caused trouble for other kings and nations …
People Who Could Not Prove They Are Israelites
There were 652 who returned from the families of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda who could not prove that they were Israelites but had lived in the Babylonian towns of Tel-Melah, Tel-Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer (vv. 59-60). There were three families who could not prove they were …
Ezra Arrives in The Land
Between the events of chapter 6 and the return of Ezra in this chapter is a period of fifty-seven years. Although the people had re-established temple worship under Zerubbabel and Joshua they were obviously living in a backslidden and despondent condition. No further refere …
Gifts For The Temple
Twelve leading priests and ten of their relatives are chosen (v. 24). Gifts of silver and gold, as well as articles that the king, his advisors, and officials, of the people of Israel had contributed for God’s temple, were divided among the twelve priest that had been chose …
Intermarriage With Pagans
After Ezra had been in the land for a period of time, he was informed by some of the princes that many were involved in sin. This grievous sin involved not only the people in general but even the priests and Levites who should have been the spiritual leaders (v. 1). This lack of …
Because of Ezra’s Witness a Revival Broke Out
The sorrow and remorse of Ezra made a great impact on the people. So much so that a large group of people joined Ezra at the temple who were really sorry for the sin of those who had intermarried with the heathen. Ezra, the priest, stood up before the people and told them they ha …
Heads of Families Return With Ezra
This chapter contains a list of those who returned with Ezra to Jerusalem (vv. 1-14). This was a much smaller group than the one that had returned with Zerubbabel earlier. Those returning with Ezra totaled 1496 males plus 18 heads of families. It is interesting to see how the nam …