Version: King James Version (public domain)

Ezra

The return from exile

Ezra tells of the exiles’ return from Babylon, the rebuilding of the temple and the mission of Ezra the scribe to teach the Law of Moses to the people.

Historical context

Parts of the book are in Aramaic, the administrative language of the Persian Empire, and quote official documents.

Explanation

Best-known passages

The decree of Cyrus (ch. 1)
The temple is rebuilt (ch. 3–6)
Ezra arrives in Jerusalem (ch. 7)