Ezra 1

The book of Ezra is believed to be written by Ezra even though he is not referred to as the author. However evidence points to in 7;27-9;15 that the author is referring to himself in the first person. [ The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament] We do know that he was a priest and scribe of the law. 7;21 His genealogy is mentioned in 7;1-5. He is from a long line of priests including Zadok who was a priest during David`s reign. A priest who remained loyal when others didn`t. He was appointed the head priest in place of Abiathar a disloyal priest. He also referred to in Ezekiel in reference of the new temple in the end times. Appointed by Solomon. But going back to Ezra who is also considered to be the author of 1 2 Chronicles because of the similarities between the style of these books.[ The Bible Knowledge Commentary Old Testament] There were three returns from Babylon to the land of Israel. They were in 538,458, and 444BC. Ezra came in the second group. [ The Bible Knowledge Commentary]. The first return happened as God said it would through the prophet Jeremiah. God said it would happen under the ruler Cyrus and in his first year it happened for Cyrus made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it into writing. He also gave them the vessels, etc. that king Nebuchadnezzar had taken. There is an excellent chart in The Bible Knowledge Commentary on page 652 of the time span of the three returns from exile. Apparently after the 70 years of captivity from 538-515 the temple was rebuilt. Also during this time period two prophet are listed. Haggai 520BC and Zechariah 520-518. Then there is a gap of 57years before the second return happens with Ezra. During this gap period from 483-473 is Esther. The second return is from 458-456BC and this is where the people reformed. Then there is another gap of 12years. Then Nehemiah comes in the third return to the land of Israel. He rebuilds the wall and this period is from 444-432BC. Nehemiah has a second return. It is a question. The book of Malachi is listed during this time at 450-430 with a question. This chart helped me big time. It is always good to know time frames. There is also a map of the whole Persian Empire on page 653. It also breaks the whole passage of Ezra in outline form. Again I hope this history, etc. helps. May we be faithful as Ezra was. For he studied the scriptures diligently and also transcribed other scriptures for that was his responsibility. He was to copy each piece of scripture word by word. But not just the words but everything in writing it done. There wasn`t any copy machines back then. Everything was handwritten and not by bic pens. HA HA/ It was very time consuming. And they had to get it all right or start again for each thing they wrote. There was no erases. Have a good day in the Lord.