Ezra and Nehemiah: Overview
prepared by Skylar H. Burris

Ezra and Nehemiah were both originally a part of a longer book which also included Chronicles. 

Historical Perspective

538 BC   

Cyrus of Persia issues an edict allowing the Jews to return and begin work on the temple; sacrifices commence.

536 BC   

The foundation of the temple is laid. Many who had seen the old temple weep "with a loud voice." Then the "people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building," so that the temple is not completed. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage the people to complete the temple.

520 BC

Construction is renewed during the second year of the reign of Darius.  The governor Tatnai objects, and writes to Darius. Darius finds the record of Cyrus's edict, and so commands Tatnai to leave the Jews alone to build, and even gives them what they need for the task. 

516 BC   

During the sixth year of Darius's reign, the temple is completed.

486 BC   

At the beginning of the reign of Xerexes I (Ahasuerus), Rehum, the chancellor in Samaria, writes a letter accusing the Jews of  "building the rebellious and the bad city." Xerexes therefore commands the building to cease.

457 BC   

In the seventh year of the reign of Artaxerxes I, Ezra, the scribe and priest, returns to Jerusalem, "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgements." Ezra makes confession for the people, who had mingled with the people of the land. So the people make a covenant to put away their foreign wives and children.

446 BC   

Nehemiah returns to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and is governor of Judah.

433 BC   

Nehemiah becomes governor of Judah again.

Ezra

Judah was exiled to Babylon, but Cyrus king of Persia overthrew Babylon in 539 B.C. He issued an edict in 538 B.C. allowing the Jews to return and rebuild the temple. Zerubbabel led 50,000 men back and they laid the foundation of the temple.   The temple was finally completed under the reign of Darius I (521-486).  Under Artaxerexs I (464-423 BC), Ezra returned to Jerusalem to inspire a spiritual revival.    

Nehemiah

Nehemiah, the cupbearer to Artaxeres I, hears that the walls of Jerusalem have not been rebuilt and receives permissions to go lead the rebuilding, which is completed in just 52 days. When it is complete, Nehemiah takes a register of the people. Nehemiah serves as governor of Judah for twelve years, but will not accept payment, because "the bondage was heavy upon this people."  He returns briefly to Persia until he can again obtain leave of Artaxerxes, and he then returns to Judah and carries out reforms.

Narration:

The first eight chapters of the book are written in first person from the perspective of Nehemiah.  Chapters 9-12 have a third person recounting of the renewing of the covenant under Ezra and the repopulation of the nation of Israel. Chapter thirteen returns to the first person, as Nehemiah discusses the reforms he carried out with relation to the priesthood, the Sabbath, and marriage.

Challenges to building:

Sanballat and Tobiah mock the Jews as they build and then conspire to fight against Jerusalem; but they are found out, and the Jews henceforth stand guard while they build.

The poor and indebted and enslaved of the land cry out, and Nehemiah rebukes the nobles for exacting usury.

Sanballat and Tobiah send unto Nehemiah to trap him, but he refuses to go.  So then Sanballat slanders him, saying the Jews plan to rebel, but Nehemiah refutes the claim.

Shemaiah plots against Nehemiah, suggesting they meet in the temple and shut the doors so that Nehemiah will not be slain. Nehemiah refuses to go in, perceiving that Shemaiah has been hired by Sanballat and Tobiah.

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