Ezra
PeopleWhat is the meaning of Ezra in the Bible?
Ezra was a priest and scribe who led a second group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem during the reign of Artaxerxes I. He is the central figure in the biblical book bearing his name and is traditionally credited with compiling and promulgating the Torah. He worked alongside Nehemiah to reestablish the community's adherence to Mosaic law.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding Ezra clarifies the transition of Judaism from a temple-centered cult to a text-centered religion, highlighting how the public reading and interpretation of the Torah became the foundation of Jewish identity and communal life in the post-exilic period.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
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Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.