Ezra

First year of Cyrus: decree to rebuild the temple, return of exiles with vessels.

Census of returning exiles; totals 42,360 plus servants; offerings for temple.

Altar rebuilt; festivals kept; temple foundation laid amid mixed shouts and weeping.

Adversaries hinder building; accusation letter to Artaxerxes halts work until Darius.

Haggai & Zechariah spur rebuilding; Tattenai inquiries; letter to Darius recounts Cyrus’ decree.

Darius confirms Cyrus’ decree; temple completed & dedicated; Passover kept with joy.

Ezra the scribe sent by Artaxerxes with decree to teach Law and organize worship.

Genealogy of returnees with Ezra; fast for safe journey; arrival & offerings in Jerusalem.

Leaders report intermarriage; Ezra’s astonished prayer confessing sin of mixed marriages.

Assembly covenants to put away foreign wives; investigation lists offenders.