The books of Ezra and Nehemiah hold much confusion for Biblical scholars, as far as chronology is concerned. Some conclude Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries, while others believe Ezra arrived in Jerusalem over 50 years after Nehemiah’s ministry. Actually, the chronology of the books is very simple, IF, and only if, one decides with Jesus’ conclusion that scripture cannot or must not be read in a manner that forces it to contradict itself (John 10:35). In other words, one must labor to find a way in which two or more passages of scripture will not contradict. If this is done successfully, one would probably hold the truth of the matter in mind. How is this so, or why must this be done? It is because names of places have changed; sometimes people are known by more than one name; indeed, worldviews change from one age to another, so how one looks at something said in the scriptures triggers a different context of understanding than the original. Therefore, if one labors to understand the original meaning of the text, vis-à-vis what it meant to the original audience, one may very well be rewarded with the truth.
Reading genealogies is so boring; isn’t that true? Yet, from time to time, depending on the context of one’s study, they are very revealing. For example, none of the names that we find written in Ezra 8:1-14 are recorded in either the Book of Ezra or the Book of Nehemiah as having assisted in the rebuilding projects of either the Temple of God or the walls surrounding Jerusalem. That should come as a surprise for anyone who believes that the Decree of Artaxerxes had anything to do with either building project, and there are Biblical scholars who believe the decree permitted the building project to continue to its conclusion. Nevertheless, if none of the folks that Artaxerxes released to rebuild the Temple or the city are found to have participated in that labor, how can anyone conclude the Decree of Artaxerxes had anything to do with the Seventy Weeks Prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27?
The labor of building the Temple began with Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest. It was they and those with them who rebuilt the Altar of God on the Feast of Trumpets, immediately following their coming to Jerusalem after being released by Cyrus from their captivity in Babylon (Ezra 3:1-3), and the Seventy Weeks Prophecy begins there. Moreover, the project of rebuilding the Temple continued from the second month of the second year, after being released from Babylon (Ezra 3:8). Additionally, the text claims that, after both the leaders and the rest of the men who came out of the captivity, vis-à-vis the folks listed in the genealogy found in chapter two of the Book of Ezra, laid the foundations of the Temple, they paused to celebrate the fruit of their labor (Ezra 3:8-13). Nevertheless, after about a year or two, and after no little frustration created by the Samaritans, the labor ceased by the order of Cambyses, king of Persia (Ezra 4:1-6).
It didn’t begin again until the coming of Nehemiah, and it is reveled in his account that the building project included the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls (Nehemiah 4:1-7). Moreover, those who took part on this building project included the folks of the generation that was born in Judah after the children of the captivity returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, and they are listed in chapter three of the Book of Nehemiah! In each case, the name mentioned lists his father/grandfather as being one of those who returned to Jerusalem from Babylon with Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest.[1] Genealogies are boring to read, but they are important to show some very important things, including the timeframe, showing when certain events occurred, and who was involved. So, let me repeat, none of the names listed in Ezra 8:1-14 who returned with Ezra in the seventh year of Artaxerxes, the king of Persia (cp. Ezra 7:7), participated in the building project at Jerusalem. What can we conclude from this point? The conclusion of the matter is that Ezra and company arrived after the building project was over. The Temple was already completed, and its dedication was celebrated a year prior to the release of Ezra (Ezra 6:15-18). Moreover, the city and its walls were also complete, and Ezra and company arrived in Jerusalem just in time (a few weeks prior), to participate in the celebration of dedicating the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:27, 35-36).
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[1] For example, Eliashib, the officiating high priest during the days when Nehemiah was in authority over the building project at Jerusalem, helped build the wall beginning at the Sheep Gate (Nehemiah 3:1). He was the grandson of Joshua the high priest, who had come up from the captivity (Nehemiah 12:10; cp. Ezra 2:2). Meremoth built the wall near the Fish Gate (Nehemiah 3:3), and he was the son of Urijah (Nehemiah 3:4), the son of Koz (cp. Ezra 2:61), and so on.
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146 responses to “The Chief Men Who Returned with Ezra”
“Revisionist history” – why? because you say so. Where’s the evidence? Herod the Great ruled the Jews, but was expected to pay Caesar what he demanded. When Judea became a Roman province, the governor ruled from Caesarea and expected the high priest to keep order etc. The high priest was an authority under the Roman governor, and he persecuted the nascent church, which was comprised of 100% Jews in the beginning.
Except for the commandments concerning man’s relationship with God, there is little difference between Sinai and the laws of the nations. No one approves murder or theft. Honor due parents was similar to that in a Jewish family. Even Caesar didn’t approve of divorce. Did everyone obey? No! of course not. Neither did every Jew obey.
We can agree that gentiles are not under the Law of Moses, but this wasn’t clear in the first century AD. The Christian movement was a Jewish movement, but when gentiles began receiving Jesus as their Savior, it had to be defined whether or not we needed to become Jews in order to receive Jesus. Paul did that and the Jerusalem council made it universal. Why would gentiles need to accept the Sinai Torah? Of course, once gentiles began becoming disciples of Jesus, we had to receive the Sinai commandments as a code that defined what sinful behavior was. Even though we are not ‘under’ the Law, we need to accept what the Law defines as sinful behavior.
The problem is you are no better at understanding my worldview than I am of yours. The fact that Jesus died for me is not a guilt trip. Adam took the human race on a path of rebellion. It isn’t “original sin” as much as it is “original rebellion.” Adam sinned prior to being cast out of the Garden. He lied to his wife. He testified that God said not to “touch” the tree. He lied to her and he dirtied the character or name of God in Eve’s eyes. Yet, he wasn’t cast out for this. He was cast out when he cast God out of his “knowledge”. He didn’t want God telling him what was good and what wasn’t. Adam wanted to prepare his own table. So, God let him and cast him and Eve and their descendants out of his Presence.
Keeping the Law or any law cannot bring me back into God’s Presence. I have no right to return. God has no obligation to receive men back. Therefore, since I have no way or strength to return, if a return is provided, IT IS BY GRACE that I’m saved, not by any work I can do. Simply sinning doesn’t cut the ties, but rebellion does cut the ties, and once that is done, the Authority who was offended must accept the rebel back, if the rebel can ever come back. If the Authority says: no! The rebel has no power to change that. But, God says yes and the way back has been offered through Jesus the Savior of mankind.
PROVE IT! Merely saying it is so means absolutely nothing.
Josephus wrote in the 1st century AD. The Tanach wasn’t sealed until afterward. The Septuagint was widely used by both Jews and Christians and it contained many more books than are now received by the Jews.
**K’vanna the difference between a Two-Dimensional vs. Three-Dimensional Surface Level Understanding.**
Making a flat 2 dimensional literal reading of abstract spiritual metaphors, utterly absurd. A flat interpretation of texts or commandments, focusing solely on the literal meaning without deeper ethical or spiritual insights. Like a photograph captures only an image without context, a two-dimensional understanding may overlook the richness and complexity of Jewish teachings. By striving for a three-dimensional understanding of prophetic mussar k’vanna, individuals can cultivate a richer, more meaningful engagement with their faith and ethical responsibilities.
Judea under Roman rule the Romans called the shots not the Jews. Hence to argue as if Judea existed as an independent nation under the Romans, especially after Roman governors replaced king Herod, simply rediculous. The Hight Priest, a bought and paid for political position. Like the Chief Rabbi today. Chief Rabbis not Torah & Talmudic scholars.
[[[Except for the commandments concerning man’s relationship with God, there is little difference between Sinai and the laws of the nations.]]] Justice never prioritize among Goyim as THE ESSENCE OF FAITH.
The Jewish spy Paul infiltrated the church abomination on the road to Damascus. The Torts court that tried Paul for the most sever of the 4 types of Capital Crimes a 3-man Torts Court. LOL Only a Sanhedrin has a Torah mandate to adjudicate a Capital Crimes case of avoda zarah!!! The Sanhedrin courts jurisdiction lies only within the borders of Judea. Not as a damages 3-man Torts court which “tried” Paul for a Capital Crime of avoda zarah!!! Torts courts have a mandate to adjudicate Cases of damages across the world.
Furthermore, death by stoning requires a 3 story execution tower. The condemned climbs the 3 floors naked. He’s blindfolded and pushed off the platform face forward to a jagged boulder below. The Talmud teaches that no man ever survived this tremendous impact. Paul walk away on his own power! Throwing rocks at a person – not stoning!!!
But like the פ & ס organization of Torah chapters and sub-chapters this subtle distinction Goyim failed to discern! The devil’s in the details.
Once in Damascus Paul preached that circumcision no longer a Torah commandment. This totally undermined the influence of church avoda zarah among Jews living in Judea and the neighbour countries. Paul then travelled to Rome and preached Jesus the son of God. Caesar viewed himself the son of God! Worship the son of God, the king of the Jews. This likewise infuriated Caesar! Paul executed. Alas the mussar seeds of Civil War took to long to germinate in Rome!
Roman Statute Law in no wises resembles Talmudic common law. Caesar and the Senate determine law, not Roman courtrooms. Sanhedrin common law just the opposite. Sanhedrin courts have the mandate of “Legislative Review” over laws passed by the king of Israel. Something like only more so the Supreme Court can rule a law of Congress un-Constitutional.
Sin a new testament narishkeit religious rhetoric theology. The story of Adam in the Garden teaches the prophetic mussar of g’lut. A Central & main theme throughout the literature of the T’NaCH. Paul ooooooooops failed to mention this key Torah idea!!!
Xtianity has no roots in the Torah at all. If it did then it would know the Torah commandment which defines the logical inference – the commandment of the Moshiach. The church never ever investigated this fundamental and most basic of flaws in the new testament forgery fraud.
The T’NaCH sealed by the men of the Great Assembly in the generation of Ezra.
This conversation rather fun. Thank You. :)))
Now let’s attempt a logical jump. Just as the New Testament a fraud, so too UN Resolution 242 a Fraud.
The Suez Canal: Picture a vital waterway—the Suez Canal—connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It was a lifeline for Europe, allowing ships to sail directly between Europe and Asia. Egypt’s President Gamal Abdel Nasser decided to nationalize it, which didn’t sit well with Britain and France.