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Ezra(2)

Ezra in the Bible — returned to Judah after the Babylonian captivity (NEH 7:7). Referenced in 1 scripture passage.

Name meaning: “help; court”

Profile

Gender
male
Scripture References
1 reference
Known Names
1 name

Biography

Ezra was a male figure who played a pivotal role in the history of Judah by returning to the land after the Babylonian captivity, as noted in Nehemiah 7:7. Although his tribal affiliation is not specified, his identity is marked by this significant return. It is noteworthy that the name Ezra does not appear in the traditional BHS Hebrew text but is found in the Rahlfs Septuagint, highlighting textual variations in Scripture.

Names & Titles

The name Ezra appears as a proper name in Nehemiah 7:7 without a given meaning or divine naming indicated. There are no additional titles or meanings provided for this name in the biblical record referenced.

Family

Scripture does not record any family relationships for Ezra beyond what is stated about his return to Judah after captivity. There are no listed relatives or connections in the provided information.

Significance

Ezra is significant in the biblical narrative as a priest and scribe who led the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem, demonstrating deep commitment to God's Law. His leadership in religious reform restored the centrality of Scripture and proper worship among the post-exilic Jewish community. Through confronting issues like intermarriage with pagan peoples and guiding the people to repentance, Ezra helped preserve Jewish identity and foreshadowed the New Testament emphasis on spiritual purity and adherence to God's Word.

Key Events

King Artaxerxes commissions Ezra(Ezra 7:11-26)
Led exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem(Ezra 7:6-10)
Discovered widespread intermarriage(Ezra 9:1-4)
Led the people in confession and repentance(Ezra 10:1-17)
Read the Law to the assembled people(Nehemiah 8:1-12)

Names & Labels (1)

Ezraproper name
Hebrew
[none]
Greek
Εσδρα
Reference
NEH 7:7

Notes

** This name is not present in the BHS Hebrew text but is present in Rahlfs Septuaginta

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ezra in the Bible?

Ezra was a male figure who played a pivotal role in the history of Judah by returning to the land after the Babylonian captivity, as noted in Nehemiah 7:7. Although his tribal affiliation is not specified, his identity is marked by this significant return. It is noteworthy that the name Ezra does not appear in the traditional BHS Hebrew text but is found in the Rahlfs Septuagint, highlighting textual variations in Scripture.

What does the name Ezra mean?

The name Ezra means “help; court” according to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary.

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