The Book of Ezra

Ezra tells of the Jews' return from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Temple, and Ezra's later work to restore the people to God's law.

Testament

Old (10 chapters)

Type

History

Date

Events span 538-458 BC; the book's final form is from the mid-5th c. BC.

Return and rebuilding

Ezra is about what comes after disaster — the slow, hard work of rebuilding a community, a Temple, a worship life, a sense of identity. The first wave under Zerubbabel rebuilds the Temple; Ezra's wave rebuilds the people.

Hand of God on his people

Ezra's refrain — 'the hand of the LORD my God was upon me' — frames every step. The book teaches that even slow, unglamorous restoration is God's work.

Key verses (KJV)

“The hand of the LORD my God was upon me.” — Ezra 7:28 (KJV)

“For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” — Ezra 7:10 (KJV)

“The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build.” — Ezra 5:11 (cf. Nehemiah 2:20) (KJV)

How to read Ezra

Read alongside Nehemiah — they are companion volumes. Ezra 7-10 (Ezra's reforms) is the spine. The genealogies and lists are skimmable.

Read Ezra on your iPhone

Read the full book of Ezra in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.

More Old Testament books

• The Book of Nehemiah
• The Book of Esther
• The Book of Job
• The Book of Psalms
• The Book of Proverbs

From the blog

Frequently asked questions

What is the Book of Ezra about?

Ezra is a book of History, running to 10 chapters. Its main threads: Return and rebuilding; Hand of God on his people.

Who wrote the Book of Ezra?

Largely Ezra himself, with editorial framing.

Where does Ezra come in the Bible?

Ezra is one of the 39 books of the Old Testament in the Protestant canon, grouped with the History books. You can walk the canon in order using the previous and next links on this page.