Ezra was a scribe and priest sent with religious and political powers by the persian king artaxerxes to. Ezra records the events relating to the first two groups, and discusses especially the rebuilding of the temple. Ezra 1 niv cyrus helps the exiles to return bible gateway. But in the latin vulgate the books are separated and called esdras the greek form of ezra i and esdras ii. Jan 29, 2015 i have enjoyed studying the book of ezra. In the first 6 chapters of the book of ezra, we read about the people who returned from exile. The greater part of this book, though it bears the name of ezra, tells of the pioneers who came back from exile to jerusalem a whole lifetime before him. This article about ezra, together with other tools, activities, aids and materials and are designed to be used by. The book of ezra never declares its author, and the books contents make it difficult to determine when it was written. Cyrus made a decree giving the jewish exiles in his empire the right to return to jerusalem and rebuild the temple in 538 b. Tradition says that ezra is also the author of the whole book. The revival began with the reading of the word of god by. The teaching closet is a division of strong hands enterprises, llc. He did, however, give his time to a study of the word of god.
An initial group returned to jerusalem with sheshbazzar, the prince of judah 1. The books of ezra and nehemiah were a unity in the hebrew and the lxx. Ad 400 and our english bible it has been divided into two separate works. Use these bible studies for personal devotion, group bible studies, or teaching a church class. The book of ezra covers a period of nearly 80 years, from about 536 b.
We read how they built the temple of god in jerusalem again. The book of ezra clearly portrays yahwehs sovereign plan for his separate people. As students study the book of ezra, they can learn about how the lord enables his people to overcome opposition and accomplish his will. The introduction to this decree specifies when it was proclaimed.
Study guide for ezra 1 by david guzik blue letter bible. Freebibleimages ezra returns to jerusalem ezra returns. The events in the rest of the book happened almost 60 years later in 458 bc. Keats first worked as an illustrator and was published in various magazines. He was born on march 11, 1916, to polishjewish parents living in brooklyn, n. The book of ezra does not specifically name its author. The book of ezra is devoted to events occurring in the land of israel at the time of the return from the babylonian captivity and subsequent years, covering a period of approximately one century, beginning in 538 b.
Scholars are divided over the chronological sequence of the activities of ezra and nehemiah. The lord rasied up ezra and nehemiah to reestablish the nation by rebuilding the temple and city walls and by turning the people back to his word. Important highlights of keatss life, books, awards and honors. To appreciate the significance of ezras journey to jerusalem, we need to bear in mind that 80 years had passed since the first return from babylon ch. According to his study the original nehemiah memoir was an account of the rebuilding of the city walls. The god who directed and protected his people israel is the one who named his church a chosen generation, a. Ezra returns to jerusalem the original illustrations are the of sweet publishing and these digitally adjusted compilations of them the of freebibleimages.
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. The last four books of the hebrew canon are ezra, nehemiah, and 1 and 2 chronicles, in that order. Ezra a free christian bible study resource we hope that this ezra article will provide useful information and ideas for those following a bible study plan. The book of ezra was written in order to give the account. Ezra clipart collection ezra 3 dwelling in 4kb 1591x1217. Outline of the book with questions for each section. The book of ezra records two separate time periods directly following the seventy years of babylonian captivity. Ezra jack keats author study scholastic books for kids.
The studies are not on every verse but key portions out of each chapter, done in a. 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. They are made available for free download under a creative commons attributionsharealike 3. He did, however, give his time to a study of the word of. The book of ezra begins with a decree from king cyrus of persia, allowing the jews to return to jerusalem to rebuild the temple that had been destroyed by the babylonians in 587 bc ezra 1. Take time today to acknowledge gods sovereignty and mercy in your life. Childrens authors clip art bundle add to wishlist loading 506kb 1280x1222. Much of the book of ezra also appears in a book of the apocrypha and is there entitled esdras i and was part of the greek lxx. Ezra 16 covers the first return of jews from captivity, led by zerubbabela period of twentythree years beginning with the edict of cyrus of persia and ending at the rebuilding of the temple in jerusalem 538515 bc. The two became separated with the first printed rabbinic bibles of the early 16th century, following late medieval latin christian tradition. And it came to pass in the month chisleu, in the twentieth year, as i was in shushan the palace, that hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of judah.
Free old testament study guides and bible class books. Free, printable ezra bible activities on sunday school zone. Lessons from ezra for believers today michael hardt. In the hebrew bible ezra and nehemiah are regarded as one book.
The book of ezra is the historical record of gods people returning to jerusalem after the. According to nehemiah 8, when ezra arrived he learned that the people were not living according to gods laws so he arranged for the people to hear the law taught and explained. A practical bible study on restoration study and obey. Composed in hebrew and aramaic, its subject is the return to zion following the close. The close style, approach, and verbal link between chronicles and ezra lead many to believe that ezra wrote chronicles as well. Ezra 16 recounts events that occurred long before ezras time. Rebuilding the temple bible study guide, bible study journal, study guides. Any clipart pulled from an old path will be replaced with an advertisement for. See more ideas about bible activities, bible lessons and bible lessons for kids. Ezra in the picture study bible the book of ezra with. The book of ezra happens right where the book of 2 chronicles leaves off. Recognizing this unlocks direct application for the modern reader. Study, book of numbers, bible, book of ezra, book of hosea. Ezra was a priest and scribe who was born in captivity in babylon and later returned to judah.
The book of ezra recounts israels final years of exile in babylon, including accounts of two returning groups as they are restored to their homeland after 70 years in captivity. For ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the law of the lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in israel. The book of ezra was likely written between 460 and 440 b. Learn about the main ideas from the book of nehemiah of the bible. Ezra wants to study the law of god, practice it, and teach it to others. In the hebrew bible mt ezra nehemiah is a single work. 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.
Recommit to him your trust, your love, and your obedience. A study of the historical books of ezra, nehemiah and esther along with the contemporaneous minor prophets, haggai, zechariah and malachi. In the first year of cyrus king of persia, in order to fulfill the word of the lord spoken by jeremiah, the lord moved the heart of cyrus king of persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. Israels struggles to resist foreign influences and to rebuild the temple are spotlighted in the book. A literary and theological analysis of the book of ezra. The book of ezra opens with the same wording that closes the book of chronicles 2 chronicles 36. They are a bit difficult to locate but once you find them, you will find that although. Whether you have been studying ezra on your own or are looking for a complete bible study guide to lead a small group through this book, study ezra can help. Ezra records the first and second returns of the jews to the land of israel. The prophets haggai and zechariah also played important roles in encouraging the people of judah and their leaders zerubbabel, the. Ezra and some other israelitestemple servants, priests, singers, gatekeepers, levitestake around four or five months to journey to jerusalem.
Title even though ezras name does not enter the account of judahs postexilic return to jerusalem until 7. Ezra was the second of three key leaders to leave babylon for the reconstruction of jerusalem. Cyrus helps the exiles to return in the first year of cyrus king of persia, in order to fulfill the word of the lord spoken by jeremiah, the lord moved the heart of cyrus king of persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing. 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. Did the jews face any opposition to their rebuilding of the temple.
From genesis to deuteronomy, god calls out israel as a special nation and teaches them his laws from joshua to 2 chronicles, god gives israel a land and a king, but israel loses both when they consistently disobey god from ezra to esther, god restores israel from exile in their own land again. Watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each books flow of thought. The book of ezra does not name its author, but jewish tradition says ezra wrote it as well as the books of nehemiah and chronicles. Ezra was a jewish exile who came from babylon to help with the restoration of jerusalem following the babylonian exile. Study, book of numbers, bible, book of ezra, book of hosea, psalms, book of nehemiah, book of exodus transparent background png clipart. Thefirst consists of chapters 16, and contains the history of the returning exiles and of their rebuilding of the temple, and comprises the period from the first year of cyrus, b. To appreciate the significance of ezra s journey to jerusalem, we need to bear in mind that 80 years had passed since the first return from babylon ch. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. The book of ezra is named after the main character of the book. This summary of the book of ezra provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of ezra.
The lord, the god of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has. It is interesting to note that once ezra appears on the scene in chapter 7, the author of the book of ezra switches from writing in the third person to first person. This esdras i is known as esdras iii in the vulgate, or the greek ezra, and esdras ii is. The arrangement of the facts in the book of ezra is chronological. Print out these illustrated pages of fun facts, a bookcover display and a story for every season. Holman christian standard bible study bible nice study notes but you need to open a free account. See more ideas about bible lessons, bible for kids and bible activities. In this 12week study, kathleen nielson shows readers gods mercy and faithfulness demonstrated in the books of ezra and nehemiah, encouraging christians toward sincere repentance and persevering hope. Below are links to the lessons in this 6part series. Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of jerusalem coloring page from ezra and nehemiah.
In the first year of king cyrus 539538 bc, shortly after the persian defeat. Ezra jack keats was a caldecott medalwinning picture book author and illustrator. Ezra, as a priest, was unable to serve during the captivity. Past, present and future banned from the bible, second. Charles simeon, horae homileticae or discourses digested into one continued series and forming a commentary, upon every book of the old and new testament, vol. The tradition is that the prophet ezra wrote the book of ezra. Ezranehemiah is a book in the hebrew bible found in the ketuvim section, originally with the. The books of ezra and nehemiah are the key literary sources for the period of the restoration, the formation of the jewish religious community after the babylonian captivity. With a full membership you can download any image, book or activity sheet on our site.
750 486 344 937 72 1091 189 1429 933 1118 1303 1337 744 592 88 729 1505 811 1188 611 1301 935 1499 1345 1252 58 1315 1263 1095 389 179 1029 33 1566 658 1059 1154 524 1316 102 909 118 374 609 444 1083 1061