The book of ezra should not be confused with either first or second esdras, also known as 3 ezra and 4 ezra, which are two apocryphal books. Ezra although modern readers of the bible are accustomed to treating the books of ezra and nehemiah separately, ancient tradition regards them as one see below. For this reason, this study guide commentary is designed to provide an introduction to each book of the bible. We do not hear a word from them after they were captured until ezra picks up. As the scene opens in ezra 1, the jews have just seen the overthrow of the hated babylonian empire, in 539 b. Ezra and nehemiah tyndale old testament commentaries. Itspeaksofthetransmissionofsecretteachingstoanelectgroup,and initsconcludingscene,ezrawritesninetyfourbooks,seventyofwhichare. Yet, there were instances of nineteenthcentury word usage and syntactic issues that i thought a commentary might help to clarify. Ezranehemiah commentary exilic and postexilic history. Study the bible online using commentary on ezra and more. The eight handbooks were dedicated to people who, in different ways, had a. Seventhday adventist bible commentary 1978 revised vols. Nehemiah a2 classic bible study guide 3 nehemiah 1. Then there is the return led by ezra in chapters 710, and about two thousand people followed ezra.
Twelve years latter we are introduced to nehemiah i. Separation from heathen is demanded and maintained, chapter 10 the books of haggai and zechariah ezra 5. How did ezra react to the news from the leaders of the people. The book of ezra is part of the historical books of the bible. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. That is, there is no and a prophet spoke in the assembly, thus saith the. The postexilic books of ezra, nehemiah, haggai, zechariah, and malachi. Ezra records the events relating to the first two groups, and discusses especially the rebuilding of the temple.
At one time, however, ezra and nehemiah followed 1 and 2 chronicles and were generally considered to be the work of one and the same author known as the chronicler. Fenshams study on the books of ezra and nehemiah is a contribution to the new international commentary on the old testament. Some have claimed that the inspired writer of the book was ezra, but horne states. The book of ezra commentary f b hole what the bible teaches a very brief commentary with some useful spiritual applications, which sees the return at the commencement of ezra as a picture of the sixteenth century reformation, and the evils at the end of the book as typical of the union of church and state which did so much harm to the true. The first return and rebuilding under zerubbabel chaps. Although ezra is a continuation of the historical books begun with. Nehemiahs objective was to construct the wall around. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. Ezra overview, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides notes on all 66 books of the bible, and contain more than 7,000 pages of material. Loring woart batten 18591946, a critical and exegetical commentary on the books of ezra and nehemiah. Ezra 6 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, filling six volumes, provides an exhaustive look at every verse in the bible. If ezra was the writer, he was copying from the journal of nehemiah. Beginning with the decree of cyrus, the intention was not merely to return and reoccupy jerusalem but to also rebuild the temple. Record of gods providence the books of ezra, nehemiah, and esther are unique among the historical writings in that they give us no new communication from god within the context of the respective stories themselves.
Study ezra 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of ezra. There is the return of the captives from babylon led by zerubbabel in the first six chapters. The seventhday adventist commentary reference series is a set of volumes produced primarily by seventhday adventist scholars, and designed for both scholarly and church member use. The book of daniel takes up the narrative of the captivity where chronicles leaves it. The titles of the individual books reflect the two main characters of the book. The decree authorizing ezra and a caravan of others to return to judea in. The book of esther, like much of the bible, tells the story of gods involvement with. It is based on the german lexicon by william gesenius. James rosscup this old, conservative wesleyan methodist work is good devotionally and aggressive for righteous living. The book of ezra the books of ezra and nehemiah and esther cover about 100 years, closing the old testament historical books. The book of ezra should not be confused with either first or second esdras. Ezra and nehemiah illustrate, by a series of instructive examples, how a few people can do great things for god when led by godfearing, sincere, unselfish, but fearless and determined leaders.
Ezra, nehemiah, and esther bible study notes, commentary, and. Yahwehs congregation at jefferson all praise unto our father yahweh for his bountiful. Wilson if you are working with a class or small group, feel free to duplicate the following handouts at no. The book of nehemiah jerusalem walls summary overview. This commentary has been through advanced checking. The chequered story of the kings, a matter of nearly five centuries, had ended disastrously in 587 b. Sayce 18451933, an introduction to the books of ezra. Inspired by gods spirit, he tells the israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple. This book, as was true in the book of ezra, has copies of letters, decrees, registers and other documents. Have you ever wondered if god is really involved in the circumstances of your life. A comprehensive commentary of the book of ezra together with references for further study from the general conferences of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the encyclopedia of mormonism and other doctrinal texts by general authorities of the church written and compiled by. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Ezra is clearly the subject of the firstperson pronouns referring to the author of the book of ezra ezra 7. Bible class book and study guide on ezra david padfield.
Study the bible online using commentary on ezra 2 and more. The books of ezra and nehemiah are the only completely historical books in the third section of the hebrew bible, the ketuvim writings. Top 5 commentaries on the books of ezra and nehemiah. Nehemiah led the third 3rd exodus back to jerusalem, 94 years after zerubbabel 1st exodus of approx. This introduces a central theme for the book of ezra the rebuilding of the temple. Ezra 6 commentary matthew henrys complete commentary on. Ezra nehemiah commentary exilic and postexilic history. In fact, ezra and nehemiah were originally regarded as one book by ancient jewish and early christian scribes. The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the long captivity to rebuild the city, walls, and temple.
Why was ezra astonished until the evening sacrifice. The books bear the names of three jewish heroes of the faithordinary believers who accomplished extraordinary things as a result of gods mighty, providential hand and their bold, obedient faith. The books of ezra, haggai, esther and nehemiah lessons. Ezra 2 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Aug 29, 2016 general info2 esdras also called 4 esdras, latin esdras, or latin ezra is the name of an apocalyptic book in many english versions of the bible. Besides the freewill offerings for the house of god which is in jerusalem. Joel beeke, march 2009 ot series or overall ot emphasis keil, carl friedrich and franz delitzsch. Bible commentary seventhday adventistegw vol 18 pdf.
The book of nehemiah introduction we may read the book of nehemiah and come away with a general appreciation for a mans conviction and spiritual energy to get work accomplished and move on to another story. It includes the sevenvolume seventhday adventist bible commentary, the twovolume seventhday adventist encyclopedia, as well as the single volumes seventhday adventist bible dictionary, seventh. Hebrew and english lexicon of the old testament by francis brown, s. Ezra commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole bible. The book is comprised of an approximately 80year time frame in which ezra reveals that god has fulfilled his promise to cause the jews to return to jerusalem cf. Lexical there are several excellent lexicons available for ancient hebrew. Ezra and nehemiah tyndale old testament commentaries kidner, derek on.
Ezra is the first postcaptivity books ezra, nehemiah, esther, haggai. Did god give his people more or less than they deserved. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. This commentary has been through advanced checking words in boxes are from the bible. Study guide for ezra 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. As the curtain rises and the orchestra dramatically swells, king cyrus of persia has just defeated the babylonians. The book of ezra was originally combined with the book of nehemiah and served as a continuation of first and second chronicles. The book of ezra is the last of the historical books, but they do not follow ad seriatum one right after the other. These books contain much that edifies and that strengthens faith in the unfailing leadership of god. Ezra gathered the people of jerusalem and read before the assembly the book of the law of moses which the lord prescribed for israel nehemiah 8. What i seek to demonstrate below is that the events of ezra 4. Read ezra commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. In english bibles, they are usually split into two, with the book of nehemiah appearing as a separate book from ezra, but in the hebrew tradition, they are one book, entitled ezra, and nehemiah is simply the second part of ezra.
Past, present and future banned from the bible, second ezra. Bright argued that ezra followed nehemiah to jerusalem rather than preceding him, but this is a minority view. Ezra commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Author the inspired author is generally believed to be ezra. The book of ezra thereby ends during the 8th year of the reign of artaxerxes i.
Aside from esther, ezra and nehemiah are the only historical books of the postexilic period, and are of great importance for a reconstruction of. Nehemiah, who was a contemporary or served around the same time as ezra, was a cupbearer to the king in the persian empire. The old testament books of esther, ezra, and nehemiah chronicle events surrounding the lords restoration of jewish exiles to the promised land. Commentary on the book of ezra by matthew henry old. Read ezra 2 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible concise. It includes the sevenvolume seventhday adventist bible commentary, the twovolume seventhday adventist encyclopedia, as well as the single volumes seventhday adventist bible dictionary, seventhday adventist bible students source book and handbook of seventhday adventist theology. What happened while ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping. Yet if we do not pause and contemplate the historical events as a whole we may miss out on information that may encourages us today. When we conclude 2 chronicles, we see that the southern kingdom of judah went into captivity for seventy years. They appear as one book in all hebrew manuscripts until the fifteenth century a. Book 1 philip and pat juler book 2 chun kertyoo book 3 reg and marjorie vines book 4 david clines book 5 john and grace robertson book 6 bob and vic mccallum book 7 chue petnamngern book 8 vic and jean fleming in the present book, as in my other books, my aim is to provide biblical reference material that bridges two gaps at the same time. The same man wrote both books ezra and nehemiah are one book in the hebrew canon.
The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the. These postexile books record the return from babylon after. These additional chapters occur in no other version of the book, though a greek fragment of 5 ezra has been found on papyrus. In the ancient hebrew manuscripts the books of ezra and nehemiah were written as if they were one.