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. Jul 17, 2016 watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each books flow of thought. He does a worthy job of setting the two books within the greater. Read ezra commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. Williamsons commentary on ezra and nehemiah is one of the best i have come across on these books. 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. The events in ezra are set in jerusalem and the surrounding area. Charles fensham, the books of ezra and nehemiah, the new international commentary on the old testament, ed. Williamson takes a more scholarly and technical approach than fensham, making this a little bit more difficult to read. Ezra, like barnabas when he came to jerusalem and saw the grace of god to his brethren there, no doubt was glad, and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the lord, acts 11.
Apr 09, 2018 the book of ezra in the bible explained given a quick overview. God raised up the spirits of a small remnant to accompany him. Commentary on ezra 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. Most of the families who returned from exile were originally from judah. Supporting the view that much of this material is from the fifth century bc, just as it claims to be, he concludes that there is good. The books of ezra, nehemiah and esther depict what it is like for gods people to work in unwelcoming workplaces. This series affirms that the bible is a christcentered book, containing a. Ezra the scribe has been considered author of the book for ages. Exalting jesus in ezranehemiah christcentered exposition. Study ezra 1 using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. The kerux commentaries series takes its name from the greek word kerux, a messenger or herald who announced the proclamations of a ruler or magistrate. Even if you never use it as a commentary on the text itself, the introductory material is worth the cost of the book.
The kerux commentaries series takes its name from the greek word kerux, a messenger or herald. In this valuable addition to the guides series, williamson seeks to steer a clear path for the student, showing how an. Best ezra commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. Exalting jesus in ezranehemiah christcentered exposition commentary. It was treated as a single book in the hebrew, greek and old latin manuscripts.
Year before the vulgar era of christs nativity, 536. A commentary eerdmans, 1988 blenkinsopp, joseph, judaism, the. Read ezra 1 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible concise. This book is part of a 9volume set that includes seven volumes of the sda bible commentary, the sda bible dictionary and a special supplement to the commentary, volume 7a which contains pertinent ellen g. 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. Included in this publication are the portions of text written by ellen white. The word biblical commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship. Akin, and tony merida, this new commentary series, projected to be 48 volumes, takes a christcentered approach to expositing each book of the bible. You will also find options for commentaries on ezra that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more. 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 history of this book is the accomplishment of jeremiahs prophecy concerning the return of the jews out of babylon. Ezra records the events relating to the first two groups, and discusses especially the rebuilding of the temple.
Ironically, ezra himself does not appear in the book bearing his name until chapter 7. The proclamation of cyrus for the rebuilding of the temple. The book of ezra in the bible explained given a quick overview. The fact that ezranehemiah was translated into greek by the mid2nd century bc suggests that this was the time by which it had come to be regarded as scripture. Alter darius death in 486 his son xerxes ruled for 20 years 485465. Segal, numerical discrepancies in the list of vessels in ezra i 911, vetus. Author the inspired author is generally believed to be ezra. He saw nothing amiss many corruptions lurk out of the view of the most vigilant rulers.
Between ezra 6 and 7 there is a time gap of about 58 years. He returned to jerusalem with the second group of jews returning from captivity in ezra 7 around 458 bc. Top 5 commentaries on the books of ezra and nehemiah 1. The proclamation which cyrus, king of persia, issued out for the release of all the jews that he found captives in babylon, and the building of their temple in jerusalem. The combined book ezranehemiah of the earliest christian and jewish period was known as ezra and was probably attributed to ezra himself. Relationship of the books of ezra to nehemiah and esther the book of ezra is a very interesting book because it is actually two books, ezra 16 comprising book one and ezra 710 comprising book two. God gave jacob the name israel when he promised to make jacob s descendants god s special people genesis 32. Rather than a versebyverse approach, the authors have crafted chapters that explain and apply key passages. Ezra, nehemiah the anchor yale bible commentaries myers, jacob m. His strength is in word study, background, customs and the like. Sayce 18451933, an introduction to the books of ezra, nehemiah. At the conclusion of 2 kings, and also of the preceding book, 2 chronicles, we have seen the state of misery and desolation to which the kingdoms of israel and judah were reduced through their unparalleled ingratitude to god, and their innumerable backslidings and rebellions. The new collegeville bible commentary books use the new american bible translation and will appeal to preachers, teachers, bible study groups, and all readers of the bible.
The title of this book is ibn ezras commentary on the pentateuch and it was written by abraham ben meir ibn ezra, arthur m. 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. Fenshams study on the books of ezra and nehemiah is a contribution to the new international commentary on the old testament. 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. An exposition, with practical observations, of the book of ezra chapter 1. As the only historical source available for the period of the jewish return from the babylonian exile and its aftermath, the books of ezra and nehemiah are crucial for those who would study not only the political, but also the religious and social history of the old testament. Study the bible online using commentary on ezra and more. Abraham ibn ezra s two commentaries on the book of esther the first written in italy, the second in franceare compared in an attempt to elucidate their relationship. Ezra 4 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Ezra overview james burton coffman commentaries on the bible. Ezra 7 10 picks up the story more than sixty years later, when ezra led the second group of exiles to israel 458 bc. Watch our overview video on the prophetic books of ezra and nehemiah, which breaks down the literary design of each. This is why the author uses the first person singular from chap. The book of ezra chronological notes relative to this book year from the creation, according to archbishop usher, whose system of chronology is most generally received, 3468.
Now in the first year of cyrus king of persia, that the word of the lord by the mouth of jeremiah might be fulfilled, the lord stirred up the spirit of cyrus king of persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying. Ezra commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Inspired by gods spirit, he tells the israelites that they can head home and rebuild their temple. Crosby, howard, the book of ezrathe book of nehemiah lchs. 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. Readers will learn to see christ in all aspects of scripture, and they will be encouraged by the devotional nature of each exposition. Book of ezra overview insight for living ministries. The books of ezra and nehemiah relate the return of the jewish exiles from babylon during the rule of the early persian kings. The greater part of this book, though it bears the name of ezra, tells of the. Ezra 3 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary on different books contains introduction and commentary at chapter level only. The earliest christian commentary on ezranehemiah is that of bede in the early 8th century. David guzik commentary on ezra 1, where cyrus, king of persia, makes a decree.
Pdf the two commentaries of abraham ibn ezra on the book of. The first return and rebuilding under zerubbabel chaps. Since xerxes was the ahasuerus mentioned in the book of esther, the events of that book occurred between ezra 6 and 7. Exalting jesus in ezranehemiah is written by jim hamilton. The author gives special attention to the perplexing problems associated with their form, structure, and literary history. Just as a kerux kayrukes heralded the king, this commentary series will equip you to accurately and authoritatively communicate the message of the divine king. As the curtain rises and the orchestra dramatically swells, king cyrus of persia has just defeated the babylonians. A critical and exegetical commentary on the books of ezra and nehemiah. The book of nehemiah has been, since the 16th century, a separate book of the hebrew bible. Jan 19, 2015 the book of ezra complains that the men of the new community in jerusalem have intermarried with woman of the surrounding areas, otherwise called. Exalting jesus in ezra and nehemiah 9780805496741 by james m. He was a descendant of hilkiah, the high priest ezra 7.
Before that date, it had been included in the book of ezra. It is quite possible that the prophet daniel was instrumental in this stirring of cyrus. The books of ezra and nehemiah, treated here as one larger work, continue the. There are ten direct references to gods word in this little book. Introduction to the book of ezra background of the book theme ezra and nehemiah give the historical accounts of the return of the jews from babylonian captivity. He is one of the characters who has not received proper recognition. An excellent modern translation and commentary for the lay person is daniel, by robert alter, available either in strong as death is love. However, sometimes ezra calls them the people of israel.
The books of ezra and nehemiah are the only completely historical books in the third section of the hebrew bible, the ketuvim writings. Gray made this statement concerning the book of ezra. Williamson ezra nehemiah word biblical commentary, 1985. Top 5 commentaries on the books of ezra and nehemiah. Exalting jesus in ezranehemiah christcentered exposition commentary hamilton jr. Based on years of intensive study and research, this commentary provides competent guidance to the complexities of ezra and nehemiah. There is not only nearconsensus on the best commentary on ezra and nehemiah, but also nearconsensus on the second bestwilliamsons contribution to the wbc. We already have seen that the babylonian captivity did not bring the jews to national repentance and so lead to national restoration. See all of our coronavirus resources here toggle navigation.
The song of songs, ruth, esther, jonah, and daniel, a translation with commentary, or the hebrew bible. The book could not have been completed earlier than about 450 bc the date of the events recorded in 10. Hope this helps when you read the book, to understand the story etc. Commentary on the book of ezra by matthew henry old. Ezra 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. From its contents we especially learn, that every good work will meet with opposition from enemies, and be hurt by the.