Ezra-Nehemiah: An Introduction and Outline

The Unity of Ezra-Nehemiah: Ezra-Nehemiah was not separated until A.D. 1448.

Author: Ezra the priest traditionally is considered the author.

"Ezra wrote the book that bears his name and the genealogies of the Book of Chronicles up to his own time" (Baba Bathra 15a).

Date: The mention of Artaxerxes in Ezra 7:1 almost certainly was Artaxerxes I Longimanus (464-424 B.C.). Ezra-Nehemiah was written during the 5th century B.C.

Recipients: Those who returned from the exile.

Purpose: To provide a historical account of the post-exilic period. Ezra-Nehemiah is the only consecutive Hebrew account of this period of Jewish history.

I. The First Return from Exile (Ezra 1:1-6:22)

            A. Prophecy Fulfilled (1:1-2:70)

            B. The Restoration of the Temple (3:1-6:22)

II. The Second Return from Exile (Ezra 7:1-10:44)

            A. Ezra Returns to Jerusalem (7:1-8:36)

            B. Ezra and the Problem of Intermarriage 

                 with Unbelievers (9:1-10:44)

III. The Third Return from Exile (Neh. 1:1-13:31) 

            A. Nehemiah's First Administration in 

                 Jerusalem (Neh. 1:1-12:47)

            B. Nehemiah's Second Administration in 

                 Jerusalem (Neh. 13:1-31)