EZRA, BOOK OF

The book documents Israel's first two returns from Babylonian captivity. The time covered in the narrative is about eighty years, from the edict of Cyrus to Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem. The first return was led by Zerubbabel in 536 B.C., and the second was under the leadership of Ezra in 457 B.C. The narrative deals with the rebuilding of the holy city's walls in the aftermath of the horrible destruction of the city by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. Great faith was exhibited and numerous obstacles (e.g., Samaritan opposition) were overcome.