Biblical Profile: Ezra

Ezra

Ezra was a priest and scribe of the high-priestly line of Zadok (Ezra 7:1-5, 11-12; cp. Neh 8:2, 9). He was a leader in Judah following the Jews’ return from exile. As a scribe, Ezra was not just a copyist but a disciplined student of God’s laws (Ezra 7:6) who was qualified to teach, preach, and interpret the Scriptures.

As an important official who assisted the king with Jewish affairs in the Persian Empire, Ezra visited Jerusalem around 458 BC, bringing articles for the Temple and the mission of establishing God’s laws and the laws of Persia. One of his first reforms was to confront the sin of intermarriage with pagan neighbors (9:1–10:44). Later, after the city walls were rebuilt in 445 BC (Neh 6:15), Ezra led the community to obey God’s law more fully (Neh 8:13-15).

Ezra honored God through his handling of finances. The Persian king trusted Ezra’s judgment and allowed him to ask for more money when needed (Ezra 7:15-20). Ezra gave others the responsibility for financial affairs whenever he could and required strict financial integrity (8:24-30). He identified certain financial resources as holy and belonging to God.

Ezra humbled himself before God when the people began their journey (8:21-23), when he found out about the people’s unholy marriages (9:5-15), and when he gathered those required to divorce their pagan wives (10:6). He always recognized that God’s gracious hand—not his own ability or wisdom—enabled good things to happen (7:6, 9, 28; 8:18, 22, 31; 9:8-9). He studied and lived by God’s Word and taught others to follow what God revealed (7:10). He was a teacher and servant-leader, not a self-important official who lorded it over other people.

Ezra’s piety and dedication, demonstrated through prayer and fasting, put his reforming zeal in proper spiritual perspective. He set the pattern for life in the postexilic Jewish community, making God’s Word and worship central priorities.

Passages for Further Study

Ezra 7:1–10:44; Neh 8:1-18; 12:1, 26, 36