Ezra – Scribe and scholar

July 8, 2015 by Sophia Williams 2 Comments

The name Ezra is from the Greek word Esdras. Ezra is a shortened version for the name Azariah, which means ‘Yahweh has helped’ (Constable notes, 2015). Ezra was a scribe and scholar who wrote his own book, and is said to have written first and second Chronicles. Some persons believe that he may have also written Psalm 119, the longest psalm, and there is speculation that he wrote the Book of Nehemiah. A first-person reference points to Ezra’s authorship of his Book. In the Hebrew Canon the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah were combined as one Book, but were separated in the English translations. Being a direct descendant of Aaron the chief priest, Ezra is a priest and scribe in his own right.

Ezra was also a teacher well-versed in the Law of Moses (7:6). The word “teacher” when translates to soper, gives a wide meaning – a “recorder, scribe, secretary, or writer (Lambert Dolphin, ldolphin.org/daniel/ezra02.html).” Ezra obtained the favour and blessings of God and king Artaxerxes who granted him all he asked. Ezra studied the law diligently, applied it to his life and taught the statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Ezra recorded the events of the Israelites while they were exiled in Babylon for seventy years and while they were led out of exile under the reign of the Persian Empire, which replaced the Babylonian Empire. The Book accounts for two separate time periods following the Israelites captivity in Babylon.

In the first phase of the Jews return to Jerusalem as mentioned in Ezra 1-6, the Lord stirred the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to release his people based on a proclamation and allowed them to return to Jerusalem in Judah and rebuild the temple of God. Zerubbabel took the charge for twenty three years in leading the Jews out of captivity and to start the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. This took place between 538 and 515 BC.

Under the decree of king Artaxerxes, Ezra assumed the leadership role during the second phase of the Israelites return from captivity (Ezra 7-10) fifty seven years after. Ezra received gifts of gold and silver from the king on his return to Jerusalem, a portion of which he would contribute towards the service of the temple of the Lord. King Artaxerxes in his letter to Ezra gave him the authority to appoint magistrates and judges whose role would be to judge the people and to administer punishment where necessary. In acknowledging Ezra’s God-given wisdom the king instructed Ezra to teach the laws of God to all the people, those who do not know them. Ezra, in accepting the king’s decree sought to recognize God as the one who had extended his steadfast love and blessing to him through the king.

In Ezra’s effort to bring back the people into temple worship and teaching them the laws of the Torah he became distressed over the problem of mixed marriages, which saw Jews marrying Gentiles – the other natives of the land (Ezra 10). This was a breach of the Israelites covenantal relationship with God that previously opened the door to idolatry, and thus led their ancestors into a broken relationship with God and subsequent captivity in Babylon. This situation brought Ezra into a prayer of confession and repentance on behalf of the Israelites. With the cooperation of the leaders of Israel and the people, Ezra held a general assembly which allowed the Israelites who were in an unlawful marriage to divorce within three months (Constable notes, 2015). This process ultimately brought them back in line with the Mosaic law.

In a nutshell, Ezra was instrumental in God’s chosen people being educated about the covenant, which existed between them and God and providing a spiritual renewal through temple worship, which was essential to their fellowship with God. Additionally he played a pivotal role through his prayer of intercession to God, restoring the Israelites to a life of obedience to God, thus re-establishing a relationship with him.