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OT Survey II OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah Ezra/Nehemiah
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OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Dec 24, 2015

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Page 1: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

OT Survey IIOT Survey II

Ezra/NehemiahEzra/Nehemiah

Page 2: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Ezra/Nehemiah as Two BooksEzra/Nehemiah as Two Books

Modern versions split themModern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448

ADAD Latin Vulgate split them: ~400 ADLatin Vulgate split them: ~400 AD Origen first split them: ~225 ADOrigen first split them: ~225 AD

Page 3: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Ezra/Nehemiah as One BookEzra/Nehemiah as One Book

All Hebrew MSS before 1448 ADAll Hebrew MSS before 1448 AD Masoretes considered them one: >600 ADMasoretes considered them one: >600 AD Josephus considered them one? ~100 ADJosephus considered them one? ~100 AD Apocrypha considered them one? ~100 ADApocrypha considered them one? ~100 AD

Page 4: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

4 Esdras 14:28-48 (RSV)4 Esdras 14:28-48 (RSV)

“‘Hear these words, O Israel. At first our fathers dwelt as aliens in Egypt, and they were delivered from there, and received the law of life, which they did not keep, which you also have transgressed after them. The land was given to you for a possession in the land of Zion; but you and your fathers committed iniquity and did not keep the ways which the Most High commanded you. And because he is a righteous judge, in due time he took from you what he had given. And now you are here, and your brethren are farther in the interior. If you, then, will rule over your minds and discipline your hearts, you shall be kept alive, and after death you shall obtain mercy. For after death the judgment will come, when we …”

Page 5: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

4 Esdras 14:28-48 (RSV)4 Esdras 14:28-48 (RSV)

“ . . . shall live again; and then the names of the righteous will become manifest, and the deeds of the ungodly will be disclosed. But let no one come to me now, and let no one seek me for forty days.’ So I took the five men, as he commanded me, and we proceeded to the field, and remained there. And on the next day, behold, a voice called me, saying, ‘Ezra, open your mouth and drink what I give you to drink.’ Then I opened my mouth, and behold, a full cup was offered to me; it was full of something like water, but its color was like fire. And I took it and drank; and when I had drunk it, my heart poured forth understanding, and wisdom increased in my breast, for my spirit retained its memory; and . . .”

Page 6: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

4 Esdras 14:28-48 (RSV)4 Esdras 14:28-48 (RSV)“ . . . my mouth was opened, and was no longer closed. And the Most High gave understanding to the five men, and by turns they wrote what was dictated, in characters which they did not know. They sat forty days, and wrote during the daytime, and ate their bread at night. As for me, I spoke in the daytime and was not silent at night. So during the forty days ninety-four books were written. And when the forty days were ended, the Most High spoke to me, saying, ‘Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote first and let the worthy and the unworthy read them; but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people. For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.’ And I did so.

Page 7: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

24 Books of the Hebrew Canon24 Books of the Hebrew Canon 1 Genesis 2 Exodus 3 Leviticus 4 Numbers 5 Deuteronomy 6 Joshua 7 Judges 8 Ruth 9 Samuel (1)10 Samuel (2)11 Kings (1)12 Kings (2)13 Chronicles (1)14 Chronicles (2)

15 Ezra16 Nehemiah17 Esther18 Job19 Psalms20 Proverbs21 Ecclesiastes22 Song of Solomon23 Isaiah24 Jeremiah25 Lamentations26 Ezekiel27 Daniel

28 Hosea29 Joel30 Amos31 Obadiah32 Jonah33 Micah34 Nahum35 Habakkuk36 Zephaniah37 Haggai38 Zechariah39 Malachi

28 The Twelve

Page 8: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

24 Books of the Hebrew Canon24 Books of the Hebrew Canon 1 Genesis 2 Exodus 3 Leviticus 4 Numbers 5 Deuteronomy 6 Joshua 7 Judges 8 Ruth 9 Samuel10 Kings11 Chronicles

12 Ezra13 Nehemiah14 Esther15 Job16 Psalms17 Proverbs18 Ecclesiastes19 Song of Solomon20 Isaiah21 Jeremiah22 Lamentations23 Ezekiel24 Daniel

25 The Twelve

Page 9: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

24 Books of the Hebrew Canon24 Books of the Hebrew Canon 1 Genesis 2 Exodus 3 Leviticus 4 Numbers 5 Deuteronomy 6 Joshua 7 Judges 8 Ruth 9 Samuel10 Kings11 Chronicles

12 Ezra/Nehemiah13 Esther14 Job15 Psalms16 Proverbs17 Ecclesiastes18 Song of Solomon19 Isaiah20 Jeremiah21 Lamentations22 Ezekiel23 Daniel

24 The Twelve

Page 10: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Ezra/Nehemiah as One BookEzra/Nehemiah as One Book

All Hebrew MSS before 1448 ADAll Hebrew MSS before 1448 AD Masoretes considered them one: >600 ADMasoretes considered them one: >600 AD Josephus considered them one? ~100 ADJosephus considered them one? ~100 AD Apocrypha considered them one? ~100 ADApocrypha considered them one? ~100 AD Septuagint considered them one: ~250 BCSeptuagint considered them one: ~250 BC

Page 11: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Time Period of Ezra/NehemiahTime Period of Ezra/Nehemiah Jacob born: 2006 BC (Gen 47:9)Jacob born: 2006 BC (Gen 47:9) Jacob enters Egypt: 1876 BC (Exod 12:40-41)Jacob enters Egypt: 1876 BC (Exod 12:40-41) Exodus from Egypt: 1446 BC (1 Kings 6:1)Exodus from Egypt: 1446 BC (1 Kings 6:1) Solomon’s Temple Construction Begins: 966 BCSolomon’s Temple Construction Begins: 966 BC Northern Kingdom exiled: 722 BC (2 Kgs 17)Northern Kingdom exiled: 722 BC (2 Kgs 17) Southern Kingdom exiled: 586 BC (2 Kgs 25)Southern Kingdom exiled: 586 BC (2 Kgs 25) Decree of Cyrus: 539 BC (2 Chr 36 = Ezra 1)Decree of Cyrus: 539 BC (2 Chr 36 = Ezra 1) Temple Rebuilt: 516 BC (Ezra 6:15)Temple Rebuilt: 516 BC (Ezra 6:15) Ezra returns: 458 BC (Ezra 7:7)Ezra returns: 458 BC (Ezra 7:7) Wall Rebuilt: 445 BC (Neh 2:1; 6:15)Wall Rebuilt: 445 BC (Neh 2:1; 6:15) Nehemiah returns to Susa: 432 BC (Neh 13:6)Nehemiah returns to Susa: 432 BC (Neh 13:6) Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem: ??? BC (Neh Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem: ??? BC (Neh

13)13)

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Time Period of Ezra/Nehemiah Time Period of Ezra/Nehemiah (cont…)(cont…)

Before 1150 BC – Egypt controls PalestineBefore 1150 BC – Egypt controls Palestine 1150 – 1010 BC – Philistines/Israel fight for 1150 – 1010 BC – Philistines/Israel fight for

PalestinePalestine 1010 – 930 BC – Israel dominates Palestine1010 – 930 BC – Israel dominates Palestine 930 – 850 BC – No major empire in Palestine930 – 850 BC – No major empire in Palestine 850 – 612 BC – Assyria the premier power850 – 612 BC – Assyria the premier power 612 – 539 BC – Bablyon the premier power612 – 539 BC – Bablyon the premier power 539 – 333 BC – Persia the premier power539 – 333 BC – Persia the premier power Alexander the Great, Maccabean revolt, RomeAlexander the Great, Maccabean revolt, Rome

Page 13: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

• Ninevah

• Babylon

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• Susa

Page 15: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Assyrian Empire

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Babylonian Empire

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Persian Empire

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Kings of PersiaKings of Persia Cyrus the Great (559-530)Cyrus the Great (559-530)

Also possibly referred to as “Darius the Mede” Also possibly referred to as “Darius the Mede” (?)(?)

Founder of the Persian EmpireFounder of the Persian Empire God’s “Messiah” (Isa 45:1)God’s “Messiah” (Isa 45:1) King when Zerubbabel and company returnedKing when Zerubbabel and company returned

Cambyses II (530-522)Cambyses II (530-522) Darius (521-486)Darius (521-486)

King when temple was completed (Ezra 5-6)King when temple was completed (Ezra 5-6) Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 1:1Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 1:1

Xerxes = Xerxes = Ahasuerus (486-465) – Ezra 4:6 (486-465) – Ezra 4:6 Esther’s husbandEsther’s husband

Artaxerxes (464-424)Artaxerxes (464-424) King served by Ezra and NehemiahKing served by Ezra and Nehemiah

Page 19: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

English

Location of Ezra/Nehemiah in Location of Ezra/Nehemiah in CanonCanon

Hebrew

[Historical Books] JoshuaJoshua JudgesJudges RuthRuth SamuelSamuel KingsKings ChroniclesChronicles EzraEzra NehemiahNehemiah EstherEsther

[Former Prophets]

(Joshua through Kings)

[Torah]

[Writings]- Psalms/Job/Proverbs- Megilloth (The 5 Scrolls)- Daniel- Ezra-Nehemiah- Chronicles

[Latter Prophets](Isa, Jer, Ezek, 12)

Page 20: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Outline of Ezra/NehemiahOutline of Ezra/Nehemiah

Ezra 1-2: Return of ZerubbabelEzra 1-2: Return of Zerubbabel Ezra 3-6: Work of Zerubbabel (temple)Ezra 3-6: Work of Zerubbabel (temple) Ezra 7-8: Return of EzraEzra 7-8: Return of Ezra Ezra 9-10: Work of Ezra (law)Ezra 9-10: Work of Ezra (law) Nehemiah 1-2: Return of NehemiahNehemiah 1-2: Return of Nehemiah Nehemiah 3-7: Work of Nehemiah (wall)Nehemiah 3-7: Work of Nehemiah (wall) Nehemiah 8-13: Final Reforms and ListsNehemiah 8-13: Final Reforms and Lists

Modified from David Dorsey, Modified from David Dorsey, Literary Structure of the OTLiterary Structure of the OT

Page 21: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

GodGod His absolute sovereignty (1:2, 5:11-12; 6:9-10; His absolute sovereignty (1:2, 5:11-12; 6:9-10;

7:12, 21-23; Neh 1:4-5; 2:4, 20)7:12, 21-23; Neh 1:4-5; 2:4, 20)

Major ThemesMajor Themes

Page 22: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Eugene Merrill, “A Theology of Ezra-Nehemiah and Esther,” 191

““The phrase ‘God of heaven’ is typical of post The phrase ‘God of heaven’ is typical of post exilic language. It occurs with reference to exilic language. It occurs with reference to Yahweh in the decree of Darius (Ezra 6:9-10), Yahweh in the decree of Darius (Ezra 6:9-10), as well as in that of Artaxerxes I (7:12, 21, 23). as well as in that of Artaxerxes I (7:12, 21, 23). Nehemiah, in his famous prayer in the Nehemiah, in his famous prayer in the presence of this same Artaxerxes, addressed presence of this same Artaxerxes, addressed Yahweh in the same terms. The reason is Yahweh in the same terms. The reason is obvious, for the setting of the accounts is no obvious, for the setting of the accounts is no longer the narrow confines of Palestine and the longer the narrow confines of Palestine and the chosen people but it is international. The chosen people but it is international. The miraculous return and restoration of the pitiful miraculous return and restoration of the pitiful exile community against overwhelming odds exile community against overwhelming odds certified that Israel’s God is no parochial deity; certified that Israel’s God is no parochial deity; rather, He is god of heaven itself.”rather, He is god of heaven itself.”

Page 23: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

GodGod His absolute sovereignty (1:2, 5:11-12; 6:9-10; His absolute sovereignty (1:2, 5:11-12; 6:9-10;

7:12, 21-23; Neh 1:4-5; 2:4, 20)7:12, 21-23; Neh 1:4-5; 2:4, 20) His providential handHis providential hand

Decree of Cyrus – “Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus”Decree of Cyrus – “Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus” Return of Jews – “Everyone whose spirit God had stirred Return of Jews – “Everyone whose spirit God had stirred

up”up” Thwarting opposition – “But the eye of their God was on Thwarting opposition – “But the eye of their God was on

the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them”the elders of the Jews, and they did not stop them” Source of joy – “Yahweh had caused them to rejoice, and Source of joy – “Yahweh had caused them to rejoice, and

had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them”had turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them” Foiling plots – “God had frustrated their plan”Foiling plots – “God had frustrated their plan” Nations observe – “They recognized that this work had Nations observe – “They recognized that this work had

been accomplished with the help of our God”been accomplished with the help of our God” Giving ideas – “My god put it into my heart to assemble Giving ideas – “My god put it into my heart to assemble

the nobles”the nobles”

Major ThemesMajor Themes

Page 24: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Major Themes (continued…)Major Themes (continued…) His providential hand (continued)His providential hand (continued)

““The king granted [Ezra] all he requested because The king granted [Ezra] all he requested because the hand of Yahweh his Godthe hand of Yahweh his God was upon him” was upon him”

““On the first of the fifth month [Ezra] came to On the first of the fifth month [Ezra] came to Jerusalem, because Jerusalem, because the good hand of his Godthe good hand of his God was was upon him.”upon him.”

““Thus I [=Ezra] was strengthened according to Thus I [=Ezra] was strengthened according to the the hand of Yahweh, my Godhand of Yahweh, my God, upon me”, upon me”

““According to According to the good hand of our Godthe good hand of our God upon us they upon us they brought us a man of insight…”brought us a man of insight…”

““The The hand of our Godhand of our God is favorably disposed to all is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him”those who seek Him”

““The The hand of our Godhand of our God was over us, and He delivered was over us, and He delivered us from the hand of the enemy”us from the hand of the enemy”

““The king granted them to me because The king granted them to me because the good the good hand of my Godhand of my God was on me” was on me”

““I told them how I told them how the hand of my Godthe hand of my God had been had been favorable to me”favorable to me”

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Major Themes (continued…)Major Themes (continued…) The law of GodThe law of God

Israel is in a strait because of disobedience to Israel is in a strait because of disobedience to it (Neh 1:8; 9)it (Neh 1:8; 9)

Temple built in accordance with it (Ezra 3:2)Temple built in accordance with it (Ezra 3:2) Ezra comes to instruct them in it (Ezra 7; Neh Ezra comes to instruct them in it (Ezra 7; Neh

8)8) Present commitment to it (Neh 10; 12:44; 13:3)Present commitment to it (Neh 10; 12:44; 13:3) Confronting present sin (Ezra 10; Neh 13)Confronting present sin (Ezra 10; Neh 13)

Confrontation and confession of sinConfrontation and confession of sin PrayerPrayer Joy and sorrowJoy and sorrow The Priests, Levites, and the TempleThe Priests, Levites, and the Temple

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Purpose Statement of Purpose Statement of Ezra/NehemiahEzra/Nehemiah

On the one hand, Israel should On the one hand, Israel should recognize that God is working “behind recognize that God is working “behind the scenes” to bless them in accord the scenes” to bless them in accord with His promises. However, Israel with His promises. However, Israel must also recognize that it still lacks a must also recognize that it still lacks a circumcised heart and must therefore circumcised heart and must therefore seek God in prayer and diligently seek God in prayer and diligently pursue obedience before they can pursue obedience before they can expect their final restoration.expect their final restoration.

Page 27: OT Survey II Ezra/Nehemiah. Ezra/Nehemiah as Two Books Modern versions split them Modern versions split them First Hebrew MS to split them: 1448 AD First.

Historical confusion in Ezra 4? Who is Sheshbazzar the prince of

Judah (Ezra 1:8, 11; 5:14, 16)?

Interpretative IssuesInterpretative Issues

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