Revised by Jione Havea, 6/23
1. First Return (under Zerubbabel) and Reconstruction of the Temple (Ezra 1:1–6:22)
Released from Babylonian captivity by Cyrus, a remnant of the people returns under ZerubbabelThe governor of Judah who helped rebuild the Temple after the exile. More (a descendant of DavidSecond king of Israel, David united the northern and southern kingdoms. More) and rebuilds the templeThe Jerusalem temple, unlike the tabernacle, was a permanent structure, although (like the tabernacle) it was a place of worship and religious activity. On one occasion Jesus felt such activity was unacceptable and, as reported in all four Gospels, drove from the temple those engaged… More despite serious opposition from neighboring peoples (including low-class and poor Israelites who were not taken in the exile).
A. Cyrus’s Decree (Ezra 1:1-11)
After defeating the Babylonians, the Persian king CyrusPersian leader who allowed Jewish exiles to return home. More II allows the Jews in Babylon to return to Jerusalem.
B. List of Returnees (Ezra 2:1-70)
This later insertion from the list in NehemiahThe governor of Jerusalem who rebuilt the city walls after the exile. More 7:6-69 presents Zerubbabel as the one who led the returnees, not Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:7-11).
C. The Altar is Rebuilt and the Second Temple Foundations Are Laid (Ezra 3:1–4:24)
Some of the exiles return from Babylon with the temple vessels and rebuild the altar, reinstitute sacrifice, and lay the foundations of the temple that had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE, despite opposition.
D. Rebuilding the Temple (Ezra 5:1–6:22)
Zerubbabel and Jeshua, with encouragement from the prophets HaggaiProphet who urged rebuilding the Temple after the exile. More and Zechariah, complete the rebuilding of the temple.
2. Second Return (under Ezra) and Reconstruction of the Community (Ezra 7:1–10:44)
After securing permission from Artaxerxes, the Persian king, to return, EzraScribe who helped establish Jewish practices in Jerusalem after the exile. More brings a second group of returnees to Jerusalem–this time with worship leaders–and institutes religious reforms.
A. Ezra’s Commission and Return (7:1–8:36)
Artaxerxes, king of Persia, commissions Ezra to lead a company of exiles back to Judah.
B. Ezra Works to Reconstruct the Community (9:1–10:44)
Ezra learns about the community’s lack of conformity with the law of Moses, especially evident in the marriage of Jews and non-Jews (so-called foreign women) (9:1-4). He confesses this sin to God (9:5-15) and takes steps to end these marriages (10:1-44).