The book Of The Bible Ezra

The book of Ezra is an account of events occurring from the return of the exiles during the first year of King Cyrus in 538 BCE until the completion of the new temple in Jerusalem in the sixth year of King Darius in 515 (chs. 1-6). Th secoِnd half of the book is the history of the return under Ezra and of the events that took place at Jerusalem after Ezra’s arrival there (chs.7-10). The returning exiles were the remnant of Israel who were challenged by the author to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple and to live according to the law, separating themselves from foreign influences.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah to gether are the only account of the time after the Babylonian exile (587-539 BCE) preserved in the OT. These books focus on the religious dimension of the restored life of Judah. Portions of the book of Ezra are read as the First Reading on Monday through Wednesday of the Twenty-Fifth Week of Year I. These texts memorialize the dramatic return from exile of the remnant to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem and the af firmation by Ezra that God has not abandoned his people.