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Becker Bible Studies
King James Bible chapter index
Ezra
Ezra, had a royal commission that authorized him to "inquire
concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God" (v.
14). As a result, he and Nehemiah focused Israel's new identity on
the LORD GOD's law brought forward from Moses. Israel was forced
to focus on the form and content of religious life and practice, as the
Babylon exiles returned as faithful Israelites, and reestablished their
temple worship.
There were three groups of returns from Babylon to
Judah. The first led to the rebuilding of the Temple of the LORD,
the second was under Ezra, and was focused on reformation and returning
to their covenant obligations, and the third was led by Nehemiah.
The identity of the author of this book cannot be established with
certainty, however, Jewish tradition names Ezra as the original author,
with Nehemiah completing his work. Most modern scholars agree with
this attribute to Ezra, "the chronicler".
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