Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange
Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [ezra]

Questions about the book of Ezra, or the prophet himself.

Ezra was a Jewish prophet during the return from Babylonian captivity. The book begins with the context of the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia.

A principle theme of the Book of Ezra is the rebuilding of the Jewish temple and the renewal of its ordinances.

Ezra is generally believed to be a contemporary of Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah (son of Iddo).

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Why would Darius be called king of Assyria?

Ezra 6 begins with a letter from King Darius concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem that whatever materials or resources are needed for its completion be given, even if it means being paid out of the royal treasury. The rest of the chapter…
Soldarnal
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How much is a dram and talent during Medo-Persian period?

We find in Ezra: KJV Ezra 8 27 Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold. How much is a dram? Was there a change in the measure of talent through various periods of history?
One Face
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Who is the 'king of Assyria' referred to in Ezra 6:22?

EDIT NOTE: This question has not been satisfactorily answered previously. Neither : Fleishman's 'literary didactic ploy' nor Williamson's 'no fully satisfactory explanation' nor Blenkinsop's 'scribal error' (unevidenced) / 'could simply stand for…
Nigel J
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Is the Nehemiah in Ezra 2:2 the one who wrote the book of Nehemiah?

Ezra 2:2 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: Is this the same Nehemiah who wrote the book of Nehemiah?
user35953
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What did “God of heaven” mean in Ezra 7:21?

In Ezra 7:21, Artaxerxes refers to God as the “God of heaven.” Is he thinking in polytheistic terms here (I.e. God as head of pantheon or a Baal-like deity)?
EJoshuaS - Stand with Ukraine
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Why did Zerubbabel refuse an offer for help? (Ezra 4:1-3)

Ezra 4:1-3 (NRSV) "When the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the returned exiles were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel, 2 they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of families and said to them, “Let us build with…
Ozzie Ozzie
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In Ezra 5:6 who were the Apharsachites?

Who were the Apharsachites in Ezra 5:6? Why do translations differ so radically on how this word is translated? "This is a copy of the letter that Tattenai the governor of the province Beyond the River and Shethar-bozenai and his associates, the…
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Who is the Artaxerxes from Ezra 4 that stopped the building of the temple?

The book of Ezra chapter 4 tells us that Artaxerxes stopped the work of the temple, and that it remained unfinished until the second year of Darius (verse 24). Who is this Artaxerxes? He is probably not the same Artaxerxes from Ezra 7 since the…
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Why were the ancient men who had seen the 1st house weeping with a loud voice?

[Ezra 3:12-13 KJV] 12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, [who were] ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud…
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Why can't both Artaxerxes I and Artaxerxes II be included in the chronology of Ezra 1-7?

Who is the Artaxerxes from Ezra 4 that stopped the building of the temple? on the Artaxerxes of Ezra 4, and Who is the Artaxerxes of Ezra 7? on the Artaxerxes of Ezra 7 are helpful, but should not be considered duplicates as they do not address the…
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