Lexical Summary Ezra: Ezra Original Word: עֶזְרָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ezra (Aramaic) corresponding to Ezra'; Ezra, an Israelite --Ezra. see HEBREW Ezra' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) corresponding to Ezra Definition an Isr. NASB Translation Ezra (3). Topical Lexicon Identity and Meaning Ezra (עֶזְרָא, ʿEzrāʾ) bears a name that echoes the root “to help,” signaling the servant’s vocation as an instrument of divine aid to post-exilic Israel. Genealogy and Priestly Lineage Ezra is introduced as “son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah…” (Ezra 7:1-5) tracing an unbroken line back to Aaron. This pedigree qualified him to function as both priest and authoritative teacher of the Law, uniting cultic legitimacy with literary expertise. Historical Setting His ministry unfolds in the seventh year of Artaxerxes I (ca. 458 BC), nearly six decades after the temple’s reconstruction under Zerubbabel. Jerusalem possessed a restored house of worship but still lacked rigorous covenant instruction and social reform—needs precisely met by Ezra’s arrival. Divine Favor and Preparation Repeated testimony states, “the gracious hand of his God was upon him” (Ezra 7:9). The underlying cause is summarized: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel” (Ezra 7:10). Study, obedience, and teaching form the three-fold rhythm of his life. Royal Commission and the Aramaic Decree (Three Occurrences of 5831) The Aramaic memorandum preserved in Ezra 7:12, 21, 25 (the only Old Testament occurrences of ʿEzrāʾ in Aramaic spelling) records Artaxerxes’ sweeping authorization: Thus a pagan emperor becomes an unwitting patron of covenant renewal. Leadership in the Second Return Ezra gathers roughly 1,500 men (Ezra 8:1-14), secures Levites for temple service (Ezra 8:15-20), and proclaims a fast at the river Ahava, confessing dependence upon God rather than Persian cavalry (Ezra 8:21-23). Safe conduct to Jerusalem vindicates that faith. Ministry of the Word Years later Ezra stands on a wooden platform before a listening nation: “He opened the book in the sight of all the people… and all the people stood up” (Nehemiah 8:5). From daybreak to midday he reads and explains, while Levites translate and give the sense. This public exposition models faithful preaching and inaugurates the feast of Booths with unprecedented joy (Nehemiah 8:17). Covenant Renewal and Social Reform Faced with unlawful marriages, Ezra tears his garment and falls on his knees in confession (Ezra 9). His prayer exposes sin yet appeals to covenant mercy. The assembly responds with repentance, leading to corrective action recorded in Ezra 10. The episode underscores the primacy of holiness in a restored community. Legacy in the Post-Exilic Community Tradition ascribes to Ezra a decisive role in arranging the canon, establishing the Great Synagogue, and standardizing square-script Hebrew. Whatever the specifics, Scripture portrays him as the archetypal scribe whose devotion to God’s word shapes the nation’s spiritual identity. Typological and Theological Significance Ezra foreshadows the ultimate Teacher, Jesus Christ, whose authority proceeds from a flawless obedience to God’s Law. Ezra’s life also illustrates the inseparability of Scripture, worship, and ethical reform—principles carried forward by the Apostles (Acts 2:42) and by the church in every generation. Key Scriptures for Further Study Ezra 7:6-10; Ezra 7:27-28; Ezra 8:21-23, 31-32; Ezra 9:5-15; Ezra 10:1-4; Nehemiah 8:1-12; Nehemiah 9:1-3; Nehemiah 12:36. Forms and Transliterations לְעֶזְרָ֣א לעזרא עֶזְרָ֗א עֶזְרָ֨א עזרא ‘ez·rā ‘ezrā ezRa lə‘ezrā lə·‘ez·rā leezRaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 7:12 HEB: מֶ֖לֶךְ מַלְכַיָּ֑א לְעֶזְרָ֣א כָ֠הֲנָא סָפַ֨ר NAS: of kings, to Ezra the priest, KJV: of kings, unto Ezra the priest, INT: king of kings to Ezra the priest the scribe Ezra 7:21 Ezra 7:25 3 Occurrences |