Ezra-Nehemiah

By Mary Jane Chaignot

Although we think of these as two distinct books - one being Ezra and the other being Nehemiah - they were regarded as one literary unit throughout antiquity. The first known separation of them comes around the time of Origen, ca 184-254 C.E. Typically, Ezra is believed to predate Nehemiah by about 13 years, although both focus on the restoration of Judah. Not all scholars agree with this chronology. Some think Nehemiah predated Ezra; others think their ministries did not overlap at all. Various arguments are set forth to validate each position, but in the absence of new data, they remain inconclusive.

For our purposes, we will examine the books in the order in which they were written. Namely, we will follow the theory that Ezra began his ministry in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes (458BCE) and Nehemiah appeared on the scene roughly 13 years later in 445BCE. Let us not forget that the date of the exile was 587 BCE. The children of Israel had been in captivity a long time. The edict from Cyrus (recorded at the end of II Chronicles and repeated at the beginning of Ezra) had been given in 538BCE, and a few Jews under Sheshbazzar had returned to Jerusalem. Supposedly, they had built a new altar and repaired at least the foundation of the temple. But the group encountered local resistance and was poorly equipped to deal with it. Their work faltered. In 522BCE, another group of Jewish reformers set out for Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. They were successful in their efforts to rebuild and rededicate the temple.

This was a momentous event for the Jewish people. The temple served many important functions. Among them was the fact that it provided the means for atonement of sins. When the high priest entered the Holy of Holies and atoned for the sins of the people, the people believed those sins had been forgiven. After that ceremony, everyone in the community started with a fresh slate. In the years preceding the exile, the prophets had continually warned about the dangers of having this practice become routinized and perfunctory. Nonetheless, the people were confident that atonement wiped out their sins -- and any consequences that might have been attached to them. When the temple was destroyed, this benefit was destroyed as well. With the restoration of the temple, the priests were able to resume their atonement practices, and the religious organization was again intact.

The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe life in Jerusalem approximately 60 years after the time of Zerubbabel. At this point, the people were once again taking lambs to the altar, but living in a way that did not reflect the religious principles they were meant to uphold. The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah, with their heavy emphasis on the law, are intended to counteract this mechanical and perfunctory aspect of the atonement system. Leading by example, these men had a personal relationship with the Lord through prayer that was reflected in their everyday lives. They also put a heavy stress on the covenantal relationship and the expectations that came with it. They proclaimed the continuity of the covenant; it continued to be binding. But Ezra and Nehemiah were also practical leaders. They could see the inherent dangers of syncretism, which means the Hebrews were adapting to the local cultures and taking on many of their customs, including religious ones.

In reality, most of the Jews were very poor at this stage of the restoration. They had to interact with the surrounding peoples for business, and were perhaps even dependent upon them. In order to live peacefully with these peoples, certain practices had to be adopted and such familiarity eventually began to result in the practice of intermarriage. But it is here that Ezra and Nehemiah drew a hard line. This had nothing to do with purity of blood; it had everything to do with purity of the religion. As bearers of God's revelation, the people could not allow their orthodoxy to be jeopardized by foreign influences. This is the basis for Ezra and Nehemiah's ministries.

Like so many previous writers, Ezra and Nehemiah saw everything through the God of history. His will shaped and determined all human affairs. The nation's prosperity (or lack thereof) was a product of God's actions. In his sovereignty, God had acted through foreign kings to bring them to exile - and to restore them to the land. For their part, however, Ezra and Nehemiah stood in solidarity with the people - for good or bad. They accepted their responsibility alongside them, and prayed for God's grace and covenant love. In a very real sense, the implication of this newly awakened religious life was the beginning of modern Judaism.

There are four main sections in Ezra-Nehemiah: Ezra 1-6 - The Return under Zerubbabel; Ezra 7-10 - The Return under Ezra; Nehemiah 1-7 - The Return under Nehemiah; Nehemiah 8-13 - Renewal and Reform.

1:1- 6:22 - The return under Zerubbabel

1:1-11
- The decree of Cyrus - 538BCE
  - 1:1-4
    - The Order to return to rebuild the house of God
    - Anyone who wished to return could do so
  - 1:5-11
  - Vessels of the temple that had been taken to Babylon were returned for the temple, given to Sheshbazzar
2:1-70
- A (selective) list of the people who returned
  - 2:1-2
    - Legitimization of people of Israel - continuity with God
    - Zerubbabel and Jeshua were the leaders
  - 2:3-58
    - Laity, priests, Levites, temple servants were included
  - 2:59-63
    - People who wanted to go but could not prove ancestry
    - Determination was made later
  - 2:64-67
    - Total is given as 42,360 plus servants, singers, and animals
  - 2:68-70
    - The people brought items for the temple, idealistic representation of the birth of the new community
3:1-13
- The new beginning
  - 3:1-6
    - Jeshua and Zerubbabel built an altar
    - Fearful of the people of the land
    - Sacrificed burnt offerings in accordance with Feast of Tabernacles
    - Foundations of temple were not yet laid
  - 3:7-13
    - Laying foundation of temple
    - Work was begun second month of second year after return to Jerusalem
    - Celebrations were held after foundations were laid
    - Priests and Levites played major role
    - Response of people was mixed
    - Older Israelites who remembered Solomon's temple wept in sorrow
    - Younger Israelites shouted for joy
4:1-23
- Suspension of Work on Temple
  - 4:1-5
    - Samaritans tried to get in on the action, were rebuffed
    - Israelites claimed Cyrus' decree applied only to them
    - Samaritans continued to harass Israelites
    - People of Israel were "disheartened" and stopped working on temple
  - 4:6-23
    - A glimpse of future Samaritan tactics
    - Samaritans wrote several letters to the king complaining about inhabitants
    - Accused them of being rebellious and evil
    - Said they would not pay tax, tribute once Jerusalem was restored
    - Wanted to forewarn the king
    - King's response: he checked into it and agreed with them
    - Ordered the Samaritans to stop the building process
    - Apparently they did
4:24-6:22
- Rebuilding of Temple
  - 4:24-5:2
    - Work on the temple ceased until the second year of Darius (ca 519BCE)
    - Prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied
    - Work was restarted
  - 5:3-17
    - Governor of Trans-Euphrates questioned their actions
    - Work continued pending response from Darius
    - Governor sent letter to Darius
    - Reviewed exile, permission to return
    - Included names of builders
    - Asked Darius to check whether temple vessels were given back
    - Asked him to research whole permission issue
    - Wanted report sent back to Governor
  - 6:1-5
    - Discovery of Cyrus' edict
    - Not only did Cyrus command the temple be rebuilt, but also funds were to come from royal treasury
    - Included comment that golden vessels "must" be returned to temple
  - 6:6-12
    - Darius' reply to Governor
    - Told Governor to withdraw
    - He must not interfere in any way
    - In addition he was to provide the funds from his own treasury
    - He was also to give them adequate supplies for sacrifice
    - Included consequences for anyone interfering with edict
  - 6:13-15
    - Work on temple was completed
    - Governor carried out Darius' order
    - Temple was completed in the sixth year of Darius' reign (ca 516BCE)
  - 6:16-18
    - Dedication of Temple
    - Priests, Levites carried out sacrifices in accordance with Law of Moses
  - 6:19-22
    - First Passover
    - Celebrated with all fanfare
    - Also celebrated Feast of Unleavened Bread

7:1-10:44 - The Return under Ezra

7:1-8:36
- Return of Ezra
  - 7:1-10
    - Ezra's mission
    - Sent from Babylon, arrived in Jerusalem seventh year of the king
    - Mission: to study the law of the Lord, to practice it and to teach it
  - 7:11-25
    - Artaxerxes' Letter (Probably written by Ezra and sanctioned by king)
    - Anyone was given leave to accompany Ezra
    - Ezra was to go to Jerusalem to see if people were living in accordance with the Law of God
    - He was to collect silver and gold from a variety of sources
    - Money was for animals for sacrifice
    - If they needed any other things, they could get money from the royal treasury
    - "Everything demanded by the God of heaven must be provided"
    - No tax should ever be imposed on priests, Levites, temple servants
    - Anyone who did not comply with these orders could face death or imprisonment
  - 7:27-28
    - Ezra offered thanksgiving
  - 8:1-14
    - List of Heads of families who accompanied him
    - Twelve families are mentioned; perhaps reference to twelve tribes
    - Symbolic "resettling" of Jerusalem
  - 8:15-20
    - Temple personnel
    - Roughly 220 personnel went along to assist Levites, priests
  - 8:21-23
    - Prayers to God for a safe journey
    - Dangerous to travel with "gold and silver"
    - Ezra resisted asking king for military escort
    - Fasted, trusted in God
  - 8:24-30
    - Description of treasure
    - 650 Talents = 24+ tons of gold and silver
    - Priests and Levites accepted responsibility for safe transport
  - 8:31-36
    - Return to Jerusalem
    - God kept them safe on their journey
    - Weighed the talents shortly upon arrival - nothing was missing
    - Gave them to the priest
    - Shared the king's edict with surrounding governors
9:1-10:44
- The reforms of Ezra
  - 9:1-5
    - Marriage involving foreigners
    - Leaders informed Ezra of practice of intermarrying
    - Ezra tore his clothes, sat down until evening sacrifice
    - People stood around in silence, trembling
    - At evening sacrifice, Ezra prostrated himself before God
  - 9:6-15
    - Ezra's prayer
    - Confessed guilt of the people (included himself)
    - Realized God had graciously allowed them to return
    - Feared they had learned nothing in the process
    - Acknowledged "remnant" - purified group of Israel - had been given opportunity to return as a token of His grace and mercy
    - Feared that if remnant continued to sin, God would wipe them out, too
  - 10:1-6
    - Divorce of Foreign Women
    - Ezra prayed publicly as people gathered around him
    - People were fearful, wept bitterly
    - One of the leaders agreed with Ezra
    - Confessed sin of the people
    - If they removed the iniquity, God would forgive them
    - Women were to be sent away; the exiles were to be protected against further sins
    - Even children had to be sent away
    - Renewal of the covenant
    - Leaders took an oath to fulfill covenant to end marriages
  - 10:7-17
    - People called to Assembly
    - They had three days to gather, or lose property and standing in community
    - All the people gathered
    - Ezra addressed them: By marrying foreigners, they had committed treason and added to the guilt of Israel
    - Leaders said they could reform by separating themselves from the women (proposal had to come from leaders - Ezra was still outsider)
    - Entire congregation agreed to do so
    - Each case was to be investigated, decision would be final
    - Whole purpose was to avoid the anger of God
    - Two men objected - not sure if they objected to proposal or to delay of its execution
    - Eventually people did accept; Ezra stayed in background
  - 10:18-44
    - List of all those guilty
    - Even priests had married foreign wives, had to send them away
    - Sacrifices were offered - unintentional sins
    - Sin was serious; law of God must be kept

Nehemiah 1:1- 7:72 - The Return under Nehemiah

1:1-4
- Nehemiah inquired about Jews in Jerusalem
- Was told they were "in trouble and shame," wall was in disrepair
- Nehemiah wept for days, prayed to the God of heaven
1:5-11
- Nehemiah's prayer
- Lament prayer - solidarity with people
- Confessed sins of people and of himself
- Reminded the Lord he had redeemed these people, prayed for mercy
- Asked for success
- Nehemiah was cupbearer for the king
2:1-10
- Nehemiah and the king
- King held a festival; Nehemiah served him with a gloomy countenance
- King inquired as to what was wrong
- Nehemiah asked for permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild wall
- Requested letters of safe passage for governors of Trans-Euphrates
- Governors (Sanballat and Tobiah) were very upset that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites
2:11-20
- Nehemiah's inspection; officials' reactions
- Nehemiah checked the area under cover of darkness
- Needed to see if plans could be executed
- After deciding that it was possible, he summoned all the leaders
- Said the city was in danger, wanted to rebuild the wall
- The favor of God was upon him
- Also had the authority of king Artaxerxes
- Adversaries found out, tried to dishearten the Jews
- Nehemiah: "in the name of God, we will rebuild this wall."
3:1-32
- Working on the wall
- List of people and the section they restored
- List included artisans, craftsmen, priests
4:1-23
- Opposition of the Samaritans
  - 4:1-3
    - Sanballat and Tobiah heaped insults on the Jews
  - 4:4-6
    - Nehemiah's prayer
    - Asked for vindication because enemies heaped scorn on work of God
  - 4:7-8
    - Sanballat and company decided to fight against Jerusalem
  - 4:9-23
    - Nehemiah's response
    - Organized Jewish people into army
    - Half of the people worked; half of them guarded the work
    - Quick action saved the day; the Samaritans did not want a full-scale war
    - Would have adverse reaction from Persians
    - People from rural areas were to spend the night in Jerusalem
    - Basically worked around the clock
5:1-5
- Economic woes
- Work on the wall had impact on agriculture
- Perhaps neighbors were less likely to trade because of hostilities over wall
- Farmers were starving, mortgaging land to buy grain, selling children into slavery
- Jews were taking advantage of poorer Jews
5:6-13
- Nehemiah's response
- Called the leaders and called for drastic measures
- Sticky situation - involved many prosperous leaders
- Told them it was abominable
- Jews were taking advantage of people God had redeemed
- Leaders were ashamed, agreed to refund all land, monies, cancel whole debt
- Took oaths, decision was ratified by priests
5:14-19
- Nehemiah as governor of Judah (445-433BCE)
- Refused to levy taxes, worked for his food
6:1-19
- Plots against Nehemiah to prevent him from completing the wall
  - 6:1-4
    - Sanballat and Tobiah tried to entice Nehemiah into meeting with them
    - He refused because of his workload
    - Four invitations were sent; four invitations were refused
  - 6:5-9
    - Fifth invitation accused Nehemiah of attempting to rebel against king
    - Nehemiah saw right through that one, totally rejected it
  - 6:10-14
    - Enemies enlisted a prophet to entice Nehemiah to meet at the temple
    - Nehemiah saw through that one as well
    - Prayed that God would see what Sanballat and Tobiah were doing
  - 6:15-16
    - Despite attempts to delay, Nehemiah and Jews finished wall in 52 days.
    - Neighbors were frightened, acknowledged work was of God
  - 6:17-19
    - Important people tried to act as mediator between Nehemiah and Tobiah - telling him Tobiah wasn't all that bad after all
    - ehemiah didn't fall for that either
7:1-3
- Appointment of officers in Jerusalem
- Gates of Jerusalem were officially in place
7:4-72
- List of people who returned
- Similar, but not identical, to list in Ezra
- Purpose was to organize families, encourage some of them to move to city

Nehemiah 8-12:43 - Renewal and Reform

8:1-12
- Reading of the law in the time of Ezra-Nehemiah
- Ezra read the law before all the people
- Nehemiah was also present (v.9) - many scholars question historicity
- Law was interpreted so all could understand what was being read
- As people became aware of their sins, they wept
- Ezra told people to be filled with joy; Lord would be their strength
- People left, celebrated
8:13-18
- Feast of Tabernacles
- Reinstitution of Festival
9:1-5
- Day of Fasting
- Possibly Day of Atonement
- Fasting ended with celebration of praise
9:6-38
- Prayers of Penance
- Survey of life as chosen people, complete with history dating back to Abraham
- Recounted time in Egypt, wilderness, land of promise, exile, restoration
- Ended with confession of sins, slavery, and poverty in the land of promise
- Then, covenant was renewed
10:1-27
- Names of people who signed seal of the covenant
10:28-29
- All the people took an oath to keep the law of God
- Included all priests, Levites, temple servants, wives, husbands, children
- Oath was to keep and practice the law of God
10:30-39
- Stipulations of the Covenant
- Promised not to intermarry
- Promised not to do business on the Sabbath
- Promised to hold sabbatical year - debts were forgiven
- Tithes would support and maintain the temple
- Provided food for the workers as well
11:1-24
- People who settled in Jerusalem
  - 11:1-2
    - Leaders lived in Jerusalem
    - 1 out of 10 families were picked by lots to move to the city
    - It was a privilege to be so close to the temple
    - Seen as an example of God's will - not Nehemiah's doing
  - 11:3-9
    - Names of the people who lived in the cities
  - 11:10-18
    - List of priests and Levites
  - 11:19-24
    - Remaining groups
    - Gatekeepers and temple servants
    - (Scholars do not agree whether these lists are historical)
11:25-36
- Cities of Judah and Benjamin List of Judahites and Benjamites who lived in cities
12:1-26
- More lists
  - 12:1-9
    - List of priests who returned with Zerubbabel
  - 12:10-11
    - Genealogy of high priest
  - 12:12-26
    - Lists of Priests and Levites in time of Joiakim (ca 460-445BCE)
12:27-30
- Priests and Levites prepared to assume their duties
- Gathered from the countryside, purified themselves, people, and the wall
12:31-43
- Procession around the wall
- Much singing, some went to the right, others to the left
- Groups came together at the temple, singing and sacrificing
12:44-47
- People willingly contributed to the temple
13:1-3
- Foreigners were excluded from congregation
- Based on segments of what was written in the law
13:4-9
- Remaining business involving Tobiah, Priest
- (Nehemiah had returned to Persian court for some time)
- Priest had brought Tobiah into temple, given him large chamber
- When Nehemiah returned and discovered it, he threw all Tobiah's belongings into the street
- Ordered that the chamber be purified
- Purity of religion had to be maintained, regardless of the cost
13:10-14
- Reaffirmation of Levites, duties and privileges
13:15-22
- Restoration of Sabbath - must rest and acknowledge God
13:23-29
- Recurring problem of intermarriage
- Despite previous resolution of the issue (Ezra 9-10; Neh. 6, 10), people were still engaged in practice
- Nehemiah cursed them, pulled their hair, made them take an oath
- Cited problems arising with this practice dating back to Solomon
13:30-31
- Final summary of reforms
- Nehemiah claimed his work was successful
- Asked the Lord to remember all he had done

This brings to a close the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The remnant has been returned to Jerusalem. The temple and the wall of the city have been restored. The people are poised to begin life anew as children of God, but we have already seen how difficult it will prove to be. Nor does it take into account that many Jews lived outside the land of promise. Thus it is that the Book of Esther chronologically follows Ezra-Nehemiah. Whereas they focused on the return to Judah, Esther describes life in the Diaspora.

Bibliography

Allen, L, and T. Laniak, "Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther." New International Biblical Commentary. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Press. 2003.

Alter, Robert and Frank Kermode. The Literary Guide to the Bible. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press. 1987.

Fensham, F. Charles. "The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah." The New International Commentary on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans. 1982.

Holmgren, Fredrick Carlson. "Israel Alive Again." International Theological Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm B Eerdmans. 1987.

Mills, Watson and Richard Wilson. Mercer Commentary on the Bible. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1995

McConville, J.G. "Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther." The Daily Study Bible Series. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1985.

Throntveit, Mark. "Ezra-Nehemiah." Interpretation. Atlanta: John Knox Press. 1989.

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