Books of Esdras
Esdras is now transliterated as Ezra.
Ezra was prominent in the post-exilic period. His devotion to the law made him a "second Moses."[1]
The two books, Ezra and Nehemiah, were originally treated as one book in the Jewish canon.
"While serving as cupbearer to the king at the Persian court in Susa, Nehemiah received permission from Artaxerxes I to fortify Jerusalem, and served as governor of Judah for two terms, the first lasting twelve years (445–432 B.C.), the second of unknown length (Neh 5:14; 13:6). Despite temperamental shortcomings, Nehemiah was a man of good practical sense combined with deep faith in God. He used his influence as governor of Judah to serve God and the fledgling Jewish community in Jerusalem."[2]
| Vulgate | Now known as | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Esdras | Ezra | canonical |
| 2 Esdras | Nehemiah | canonical |
| 3 Esdras | 1 Esdras |
apocryphal, |
| 4 Esdras | 2 Esdras |
apocryphal, |
References
- ↑ "The Talmud regards him as a second Moses, claiming that the Torah would have been given to Israel through Ezra had not Moses preceded him" (New American Bible, Introduction to Ezra-Nehemiah).
- ↑ Catholic Enclyclopedia, Introduction to Nehemiah.