TITLE
The title is from the Aramaic form of the Hebrew Ezer, “Help,” or “God helps.”

AUTHOR
Jewish tradition states the book was written by Ezra (note use of “I” in chapters 7-10).

DATE
@ 450 BC. It was probably written from Palestine. It can be divided into two sections. Section 1 (chapters 1-6) deals with the period from the arrival of Zerubbabel and his party in Jerusalem (@ 538 BC) to the dedication of the temple (@ 516-515 BC). Section 2 (chapters 7-10) records the arrival of Ezra and his party and his activities in Jerusalem (@ 458-457 BC). A 60 year gap lies between the two sections. The events of the book took place during this time (@ 473 BC).

THEME
The return of the Jews from exile (2:1-70).
The rebuilding of the temple (3:1-6:22).
Difficulties Israel faced in separating themselves from the heathen world who lived around
Jerusalem (9:1-10:44).

NOTE:
The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally considered one book (verses numbered from Ezra 1:1 through the last verse of Nehemiah). This combined book was known as The Book of Ezra, and sometimes referred to as Second Ezdress. It was not until the fourth century AD that these books began to be called Ezra and Nehemiah.

Ezra completed his mission (chapters 7-10), and probably retired somewhat from an active public life. After that, Ezra was called to read the book of the Law (Torah) to the people at a public gathering on the Feast of Trumpets (8:1-8). Again, at the dedication of the wall, Ezra, as the spiritual leader of the people, headed one of the processions (12:36).