by David E. Pratte - Bible Study Lessons

1 Commentary on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Bible Study Notes and Comments by David E. Pratte Available in print at Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Page #2 Commentary on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther: Bible Study Notes and Comments Copyright David E. Pratte , 2009, 2013 (minor revisions, 2016) All rights reserved ISBN-13: 978-1494819965 ISBN-10: 1494819961 Note carefully: No teaching in any of our materials is intended or should ever be construed to justify or to in any way incite or encourage personal vengeance or physical violence against any person. Front page photo Statue of two-headed bull from ancient Persia in the time of King Xerxes (housed in the Oriental Institute). Xerxes is the Greek name for Ahasuerus who married Esther. Other Acknowledgements Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from Holy Bible , New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

2 Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible , English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (MLV) are from Modern Literal Version of The New Testament, Copyright 1999 by G. Allen Walker. Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible , copyright 1952 by the Division of Christian Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the New International Version of the Holy Bible , copyright 1978 by Zondervan Bible publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Page #3 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Other Books by the Author Topical Bible Studies Growing a Godly Marriage & Raising Godly Children Why Believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible ? (evidences) The God of the Bible ( Study of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Grace, Faith, and Obedience: The Gospel or Calvinism?

3 Kingdom of Christ: Future Millennium or Present Spiritual Reign? Do Not Sin Against the Child: Abortion, Unborn Life, & the Bible True Words of God: Bible Inspiration and Preservation commentaries on Bible Books Genesis Joshua and ruth judges 1 Samuel Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Job Proverbs Gospel of Mark Gospel of John Acts Romans Ephesians Philippians and Colossians Hebrews 1 & 2 Peter Bible Question Class Books Genesis Joshua and ruth judges 1 Samuel Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Job Proverbs Ecclesiastes Isaiah Gospel of Matthew Gospel of Mark Gospel of Luke Gospel of John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians and Galatians Ephesians and Philippians Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Hebrews General Epistles (James Jude) Revelation Workbooks with Study Notes Jesus Is Lord: Workbook on the Fundamentals of the Gospel of Christ Following Jesus: Workbook on Discipleship God s Eternal Purpose in Christ: Workbook on the Theme of the Bible Visit our website at to see a current list of books in print.

4 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Page #4 Other Resources from the Author Printed books, booklets, and tracts available at Free Bible Study articles online at Free Bible courses online at Free class books at Free commentaries on Bible books at Contact the author at Page #5 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Table of Contents Introduction to the Book of Ezra .. 7 Ezra Chapter 1 .. 12 Ezra Chapter 2 .. 15 Ezra Chapter 17 Ezra Chapter 4 .. 21 Ezra Chapter 5 .. 27 Ezra Chapter 6 .. 32 Ezra Chapter 7 .. 36 Ezra Chapter 8 .. 40 Ezra Chapter 9 .. 44 Ezra Chapter 10 .. 48 Introduction to the Book of Nehemiah .. 54 Nehemiah Chapter 1 .. 58 Nehemiah Chapter 2 .. 63 Nehemiah Chapter 3 .. 70 Nehemiah Chapter 4 .. 71 Nehemiah Chapter 5 .. 80 Nehemiah Chapter 6 ..88 Nehemiah Chapter 7 .. 98 Nehemiah Chapter 8 .. 100 Nehemiah Chapter 9 .. 105 Nehemiah Chapter 10 .. 113 Nehemiah Chapter 11 .. 118 Nehemiah Chapter 12 .. 121 Nehemiah Chapter 13 .. 125 Introduction to the Book of Esther.

5 135 Esther Chapter 1 .. 137 Esther Chapter 2 .. 141 Esther Chapter 3 .. 146 Esther Chapter 4 .. 152 Esther Chapter 5 .. 160 Esther Chapter 6 .. 165 Esther Chapter 7 .. 170 Esther Chapter 8 .. 176 Esther Chapter 9 .. 181 Esther Chapter 10 .. 187 (Due to printer reformatting, the above numbers may be off a page or two.) Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Page #6 Notes to the Reader To save space and for other reasons, I have chosen not to include the Bible text in these notes (please use your Bible to follow along). When I do quote a Scripture, I generally quote the New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated. Often especially when I do not use quotations marks I am not quoting any translation but simply paraphrasing the passage in my own words. Also, when I ask the reader to refer to a map, please consult the maps at the back of your Bible or in a Bible dictionary. You can find Study questions to accompany these notes at To join our mailing list to be informed of new books or special sales, contact the author at Page #7 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Introductory Thoughts about commentaries Only the Scriptures provide an infallible, authoritatively inspired revelation of God s will for man (2 Timothy 3:16,17).

6 It follows that this commentary, like all commentaries , was written by an uninspired, fallible human. It is the author s effort to share his insights about God s word for the purpose of instructing and edifying others in the knowledge and wisdom found in Scripture. It is simply another form of teaching, like public preaching, Bible class teaching, etc., except in written form (like tracts, Bible class literature, etc.). Nehemiah 8:8; Ephesians 4:15,16; Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:12-14; 5:12-14; 10:23-25; Romans 10:17; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:4; 2 Timothy 2:2,24-26; 4:2-4; 1 Peter 3:15. It follows that the student must read any commentary with discernment, realizing that any fallible teacher may err, whether he is teaching orally or in writing. So, the student must compare all spiritual teaching to the truth of God s word (Acts 17:11). It may be wise to read several commentaries to consider alternative views on difficult points.

7 But it is especially important to consider the reasons or evidence each author gives for his views, then compare them to the Bible . For these reasons, the author urges the reader to always consider my comments in light of Scripture. Accept what I say only if you find that it harmonizes with God s word. And please do not cite my writings as authority, as though people should accept anything I say as authoritative. Always let the Bible be your authority. He who glories, let him glory in the Lord 1 Corinthians 1:31 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Page #8 Abbreviations Used in These Notes ASV American Standard Version b/c/v book, chapter, and verse ESV English Standard Version f the following verse ff the following verses KJV King James Version NASB New American Standard Bible NEB New English Bible NIV New International Version NKJV New King James Version RSV Revised Standard Version Page #9 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Introduction to the Book of Ezra Background of the Book Theme Ezra and Nehemiah give the historical accounts of the return of the Jews from Babylonian captivity.

8 Ezra records the events relating to the first two groups, and discusses especially the rebuilding of the temple. Author The inspired author is generally believed to be Ezra. Horne says: It is evident that the author of the book of Ezra was personally present at the transactions recorded in it, the narrative being in the first person .. That the last four chapters of this book were written by Ezra himself there can be' no doubt, as he particularly describes himself in the beginning of the seventh chapter, and likewise frequently introduces himself in the subsequent chapters. The Jews, indeed, ascribe the whole of this book to Ezra, and their opinion is adopted by most Christian commentators. Summary of book by sections: Chapter 1-6 Rebuilding of the temple Chapter 7-10 Return of Ezra and purifying the people from foreign wives Summary of events by chapter: Chapter 1 The decree of Cyrus that the Jews could return (536 BC) Chapter 2 Names of those who return Chapter 3 Laying of the foundation of the temple Chapter 4 The people of the land oppose the work and move the king to stop it Chapter 5 Prophets encourage the work to resume; inquiry is made of King Darius Chapter 6 Darius decreed to allow the work; the temple completed Chapter 7 Ezra decreed to lead another group to return (458 BC) Chapter 8 Preparation and journey Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Page #10 Chapter 9,10 The people put away wives and children of foreign blood (compare Deut.)

9 7:2,3; Exodus. 34:15,16; Josh. 23:12f; Neh. 13:23-27) Contemporary prophets Haggai and Zechariah lived during this period and helped motivate the people in the work. (See Ezra 5:1,2; 6:14,15.) Historical Setting Events in Ezra and Nehemiah occurred during the period of the Jews return from Babylonian captivity. When the Babylonians had captured Jerusalem and overthrown the nation of Judah, they took the Jews into captivity away from Palestine into Babylon (see 2 Chronicles 36:11-21). But the Medes and Persians later overthrew the Babylonians and began a policy of allowing the Jews to return to Palestine. There were actually three groups that returned. The first group returned in 536 BC under leadership of Zerubbabel, the second group in 458 BC led by Ezra, and the third group in 445 BC led by Nehemiah. Consider the history of the period according to the reigns of several great Persian kings (note 4:3-7): Cyrus He overthrew Babylon in 538 BC. The first group of Jews returned to Palestine under Zerubbabel s leadership in 536 BC.

10 Darius the Great During his lifetime, the temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt. Xerxes This is the Ahasuerus of the book of Esther. He eventually chose Esther as his queen, and by her influence the Jews were saved from destruction. Artaxerxes This man was son of Xerxes and stepson of Esther. He ruled from about 465-423 BC. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were written during his reign. Ezra s record begins with the first group that returned under Cyrus. But Ezra himself became personally involved in the story during the 7th year of the reign of Artaxerxes, when Ezra led a group of Jews back to Palestine (458 BC). In the 21st year of the reign, Nehemiah led another group of Jews to return, and rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Practical Lessons In many ways, the time of Ezra and Nehemiah was like our own. God s people had been in apostasy, which led to the Babylonian captivity. Some leaders had begun the work of restoring the people to God s service, but there were still many problems and the people continued to fall into sin.