Ezra
“Help (shortened form of Azariah, 'Yahweh has helped')”
Summary
A priest and scribe who led the second return of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and instituted religious reforms, particularly regarding intermarriage with foreign peoples.
☩Background and Character
Ezra was a priest descended from Aaron through Seraiah and a scribe skilled in the law of Moses. He 'had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.' This preparation of heart qualified him uniquely for his mission of spiritual reformation. He lived in Babylon under Artaxerxes Longimanus and obtained royal permission to lead a group of exiles to Jerusalem.
☩Return to Jerusalem
In the seventh year of Artaxerxes (458 BC), Ezra led approximately 1,750 persons including priests, Levites, singers, porters, and Nethinim from Babylon to Jerusalem—a journey of four months. He carried with him gold, silver, and vessels as freewill offerings from the king and the Jewish community abroad. Demonstrating faith in God, he did not ask for a military escort despite the dangerous journey, trusting in divine protection.
☩Religious Reforms
Upon arriving, Ezra discovered that many Jews, including priests and Levites, had married foreign wives contrary to the law. His grief was profound—he tore his garments, plucked out his hair, and sat appalled. After public confession and prayer, he led the people in a covenant to separate from their foreign wives. This painful reform was accomplished within about six months. Thirteen years later, Ezra reappears alongside Nehemiah, reading the law publicly and leading the people in worship and understanding.
Related Verses30 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Ezra," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Ezra," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Ezra," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 4.George Morrish, "Ezra," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).