EZRA (WITI1 help ; Sept. 'EgSpas. The form of the name is Chaldaic or Aramaic ; and it is equivalent in meaning to the Hebrew name 113,7, from the root 111/ ; Arab. •- he surrounded, pro tected, helped). 1. A priest who went up with Zenibbabel (Neh. xii. I. 33). 2. One of the heads of families in Judah (I Chron. iv. 17). 3. The celebrated Jewish scribe (fhb) and priest (r:), who, about the year B. C. 458, led the second ex pedition of Jews hack from the Babylonian exile into Palestine.
Ezra was a lineal descendant from Phinehas, the son of Aaron. He is stated in Scripture to be the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah ; which Seraiah was slain at Riblah by order of Nebuchad nezzar, having been brought thither a captive by Nebuzaradan. But, as 130 years elapsed between the death of Seraiah and the departure of Ezra from Babylon, and we read that a grandson of Seraiah was the high-priest who accompanied Zer ubbabel on the first return to Jerusalem, seventy years before Ezra returned thither, we may suppose that by the term son here, as in some other places, the relationship of grandson, or of a still more re mote direct descendant, is intended. In addition to the information given in the hooks of Ezra and Nehemiah, that Ezra was a scribe,' aready scribe of the law of Moses,' a scribe of the words of the Commandments of the Lord and of his statutes to Israel,' a scribe of the law of the God of Heaven,' and a priest,' we are told by Jose phus that he was high-priest of the Jews who were left in Babylon ; that he was particularly convey sant with the laws of Moses, and was held in uni.
versa] esteem on account of his righteousness and virtue (Antiq. xi. 5. r).
In the year B.C. 457 Ezra was sent by ' Arta xerxes Longimanus and his counsellors to inquire concerning J udah and Jerusalem, according to the law of his God which was in his hand ; and to carry the silver and gold which the king and his counsellors freely offered unto the God of Israel.' Permission was also granted to him to take with him all the silver and the gold which he could find in all the province of Babylon, together with the free-will offerings which the people and priests offered for the house of God at Jerusalem. Of this treasure he was directed to employ as much as was requisite in the purchase of offerings according to the law of Moses, and the surplus he was to lay out according to his discretion for the maintenance of the externals of religion. Ezra was also charged
to convey vessels for the house of God in Jerusalem ; and, lest these gifts should be insufficient, he was empowered to take from the king's treasure-house as much as should be wanted to supply everything needful for the house of the Lord. At the same time that this commission was given to Ezra, Arta xerxes Longimanus issued a decree to the keepers of the king's treasure beyond the river, to assist Ezra in everything in which he needed help, and to supply him liberally with money, corn, wine, oil, and salt. It was further enacted that it should not be lawful to impose tribute upon any priest, Levite, or other person concerned in ministration in the house of God. Ezra was commissioned to appoint according to the wisdom of God which was in his hand,' magistrates and judges to judge all the people beyond the river, that knew the laws of his God ; and was enjoined to teach them to those who knew them not. The reason of the in terest for the worship of God at this time evinced by Artaxerxes, appears to have been a fear of the divine displeasure, for we read in the conclusion of the decree to the treasurers beyond the river, ' Whatsoever is commanded by the God of Heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of Heaven ; FOR WHY SHOULD TIIERE BE WRATH AGAINST THE REALM OF THE KING AND IIIS SONS ?' Of the manner in which Ezra acquitted himself of the trust thus reposed in him, a detailed account is given in the book bearing his name (viii.-x.) It is probable that he returned after accomplishing his commission to the king, as we hear nothing more of him till in Neb. viii. we read that, on the occasion of the celebration of the feast of the seventh month, subsequently to Nehemiah's num bering the people, Ezra was requested to bring the book of the law of Moses ; and that he read therein standing upon a pulpit of wood, which raised him above all the people. Josephus relates the affecting scene which occurred on the reading of the law by Ezra (Antiq. xi. 5. 5). The account given by Josephus agrees with that of Nehemiah in all leiding particulars, except that Josephus places the date and occasion twelve years after wards.