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IntroductIonto

t h e S t u d e n t S t u dy B i B l e

INTRODUCTION TO

t h e S t u d e n t S t u dy B i B l e

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Ezra 7:12Ezra 6:4 581580

4v1 Kgs. 6:36 5wch. 1:7, 8; 5:14 6xch. 5:3, 6 ych. 5:6 8zch. 7:13, 21 10aJer. 29:7; [1 Tim. 2:2] 11bDan. 2:5; 3:29 12c1 Kgs. 9:3 13x[See ver. 6 above] 14dch. 5:1, 2 ever. 3; ch. 1:1; 5:13 fver. 12; [ch. 4:24] gch. 7:1 15hEsth. 3:7 16i1 Kgs. 8:63; 2 Chr. 7:5 17j[ch. 8:35] 18k1 Chr. 24:1; 2 Chr. 35:5 l1 Chr. 23:6 mNum. 3:6; 8:9 19nEx. 12:6 20o2 Chr. 30:15

20p2 Chr. 35:11 21qNeh. 9:2; 10:28; [ch. 9:1] rch. 9:11 22sEx. 12:15; 13:6; 2 Chr. 30:21; 35:17 tch. 7:27; [Prov. 21:1] u[Neh. 13:6] Chapter 7 1vNeh. 2:1 wFor ver. 1-5, see 1 Chr. 6:4-14 6xver. 11, 12, 21; Neh. 8:1-3, 13; 12:26, 36 yver. 9, 28; ch. 8:18, 22, 31; Neh. 2:8, 18; [ch. 5:5] 7zSee ch. 8:1-14 ach. 8:15-19 bch. 8:17, 20; [ch. 2:43] 9cSee ver. 6 10dver. 25; [Deut. 33:10] e[2 Chr. 17:7; Mal. 2:7; Matt. 23:2, 3]; See Neh. 8:1-8 12fEzek. 26:7; Dan. 2:37

1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters 2 Aramaic their

1 Aramaic he

6:4 Using three layers of great stones and one layer of timber follows the construction of the older temple (1 Kings 6:36; 7:12). While the original decree had required people in Babylon to help pay for the project (Ezra 1:4), this record requires that the cost be met from the royal treasury.

6:7 Governor of the Jews refers to Zerubbabel (compare Hag. 1:1). What became of the first governor, Sheshbazzar, is not known.

6:8–10 Darius confirms Cyrus’s decree and also provides for costs from taxes raised in the province Beyond the River itself (v. 8). He also provides materials for sacrifices (v. 9), with the political condition that the Jews would pray for the life of the king and his sons (v. 10). Darius’s generosity was part of his plan for maintaining Persian power.

6:11–12 Darius makes a further decree, backed up with a typical threat. He borrows language from the Israelite way of speaking about God’s presence in Jerusalem (the God who has caused his name to dwell there, compare Deut. 12:5). This does not neces-

7:9 the first month . . . the fifth month. The journey of 900 miles (1,448 km) from Babylon to Jerusalem took nearly four months. This was a slow pace, probably because the caravan included children and elderly people.

7:10 Ezra’s mission was to teach God’s statutes and rules. These appear throughout Exodus to Deuteronomy, especially in Exodus 20–23, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy 12–26.

7:11 Artaxerxes’ decree is in a letter in Aramaic (see note on 4:7–8) addressed to Ezra.

7:12 The title king of kings was used by Persia’s kings. It expresses their sovereignty over many conquered peoples. Ezra is called the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. This may refer to a respon-sibility he had in Babylon, even before returning to Jerusalem.

lowed immediately by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasts for seven days (see Lev. 23:5–6). Participating are the people of Israel and the people of the land who had joined them (see note on Ezra 6:21). Persia’s king now ruled over the territorial empire of the Assyrians, so he could be called king of Assyria.

6:21 Remarkably, the returning Jews are joined by every one who had . . . separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord. The community was based on faith rather than on ancestry. Non-Israelites who expressed faith in God and a willingness to follow his law were welcome.

7:1–8:36 Ezra the Priest Comes to Jerusalem to Establish the Law of Moses. The text now skips ahead 57 years (see note on 7:1–7). Ezra the scribe is charged by King Artaxerxes to establish the Law of Moses in Jerusalem. This section tells of Ezra’s com-mission, his journey, and his companions.

7:1–28 King Artaxerxes Gives Ezra Authority to Establish the Mosaic Law. Artaxerxes gives Ezra the authority to establish the Mosaic law in Judah, to appoint officials to administer the law, and to provide for the further adornment of the temple.

7:1–7 Ezra is introduced first as a priest, in the line of Aaron the chief priest. He comes to Jerusalem in the seventh year, that is, in 458 b.c., 57 years after the temple dedication.

7:6–7 Ezra is a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. The people badly need instruction in the law. Ezra has apparently asked the king for permission and resources to go to Jerusalem (v. 7). Artaxerxes grants Ezra all that he needs, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him (see note on 1:1). Ezra comes to Judah with a new wave of immigrants.

sarily mean that Darius believes in the one true God (compare note on Ezra 1:3–4).

6:14 God, speaking here through his prophets, is the real power behind events. But the actions of the Persian kings on behalf of the Jews are also acknowledged.

6:15 The month of Adar (February/March) was the last month of the year. The sixth year of the reign of Darius was 515 b.c., almost exactly 70 years after the destruction of the first temple (586), fulfill-ing the prophecy of 70 years of exile (see note on 1:1).

6:16–17 the people of Israel. Even though the returned exiles con-sisted of only three tribes (see note on 1:5), they represent all 12, the number of the tribes of Israel. The other divisions, the priests and the Levites and the laity, are a typical way of describing the whole community in Ezra. with joy. The Lord had fulfilled his prophecies and answered his people’s prayers. There is spontaneous joy when God’s people see evidence that he is working in the world. The dedication of this house follows its completion.

6:18 The priests and Levites are set in their divisions, grouped according to their temple duties, as King David had done (1 Chronicles 23–27).

6:19–22 The text returns from Aramaic to Hebrew in v. 19 (see note on 4:7–8). The Passover is kept on its appointed date, fol-

DiD You Know?How long did it take to rebuild the temple? The Jews returning from exile faced many obstacles in rebuilding the temple. The non-Jewish people now living in the land resisted their efforts, and the returned exiles often lacked the motivation to work. The temple took 20 years to complete, and it fell far short of the grandeur of Solomon’s temple.

all of them were clean. p So they slaughtered the

Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and q also by every one who had joined them and separated himself r

from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread s seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful t and had turned the heart of u the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra Sent to Teach the People

7 Now after this, v in the reign of v Artaxerxes king of Persia, w Ezra the son of Seraiah, son

of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, 2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, 3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, 4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— 6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was

a scribe x skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, y

for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.

7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and z some of the priests and a Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple b servants. 8 And Ezra1 came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, c for the good hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it d and to e teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

11 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel: 12 “Artaxerxes, f king of kings, to

offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits1 and its breadth sixty cubits, 4

v with three layers of great stones and one

layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. 5 And also w let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place. You shall put them in the house of God.”

6 “Now therefore, x Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, y and your2 associates the governors who are in the prov-ince Beyond the River, keep away. 7 Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. 8 Moreover, z I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. 9 And whatever is needed—bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, 10 that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven a and pray for the life of the king and his sons. 11 Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and b his house shall be made a dunghill. 12 May the God c who has caused his name

to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”

The Temple Finished and Dedicated13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius

the king, x Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. 14 dAnd the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and e by decree of Cyrus and f Darius and gArtaxerxes king of Persia; 15 and this house was finished on the third day of the h month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, cel-ebrated the i dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel j 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests k in their divisions and the Levites l in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, m as it is written in the Book of Moses.

Passover Celebrated19 n On the fourteenth day of the first month, the

returned exiles kept the Passover. 20 o For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together;

Profile: ezraEzra is described as “a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel” (7:11). Both a priest and scribe, Ezra was commissioned by King Artaxerxes of Persia to establish the Law of Moses in Jerusalem. The king also gave him money from the royal treasury to beautify the temple. Arriving in Jerusalem 57 years after the temple was rebuilt, Ezra appointed judges to administer the law. Seventy years of Babylonian exile had had a negative effect on the people’s relationship with the Lord. The Lord enabled Ezra to guide Israel as they sought once again to live according to the law.

Key referenCe: EZRA 7:1–6

Kings of Persia Mentioned in Ezra–Nehemiah

Cyrus 539–530 b.c.

Darius I 522–486

Xerxes (Ahasuerus) 485–464

Artaxerxes I 464–423

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Cross referencesMore than 80,000 cross-references provide an easy way to trace important words, characters, and themes through Scripture.

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Ezra 7:12Ezra 6:4 581580

4v1 Kgs. 6:36 5wch. 1:7, 8; 5:14 6xch. 5:3, 6 ych. 5:6 8zch. 7:13, 21 10aJer. 29:7; [1 Tim. 2:2] 11bDan. 2:5; 3:29 12c1 Kgs. 9:3 13x[See ver. 6 above] 14dch. 5:1, 2 ever. 3; ch. 1:1; 5:13 fver. 12; [ch. 4:24] gch. 7:1 15hEsth. 3:7 16i1 Kgs. 8:63; 2 Chr. 7:5 17j[ch. 8:35] 18k1 Chr. 24:1; 2 Chr. 35:5 l1 Chr. 23:6 mNum. 3:6; 8:9 19nEx. 12:6 20o2 Chr. 30:15

20p2 Chr. 35:11 21qNeh. 9:2; 10:28; [ch. 9:1] rch. 9:11 22sEx. 12:15; 13:6; 2 Chr. 30:21; 35:17 tch. 7:27; [Prov. 21:1] u[Neh. 13:6] Chapter 7 1vNeh. 2:1 wFor ver. 1-5, see 1 Chr. 6:4-14 6xver. 11, 12, 21; Neh. 8:1-3, 13; 12:26, 36 yver. 9, 28; ch. 8:18, 22, 31; Neh. 2:8, 18; [ch. 5:5] 7zSee ch. 8:1-14 ach. 8:15-19 bch. 8:17, 20; [ch. 2:43] 9cSee ver. 6 10dver. 25; [Deut. 33:10] e[2 Chr. 17:7; Mal. 2:7; Matt. 23:2, 3]; See Neh. 8:1-8 12fEzek. 26:7; Dan. 2:37

1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters 2 Aramaic their

1 Aramaic he

6:4 Using three layers of great stones and one layer of timber follows the construction of the older temple (1 Kings 6:36; 7:12). While the original decree had required people in Babylon to help pay for the project (Ezra 1:4), this record requires that the cost be met from the royal treasury.

6:7 Governor of the Jews refers to Zerubbabel (compare Hag. 1:1). What became of the first governor, Sheshbazzar, is not known.

6:8–10 Darius confirms Cyrus’s decree and also provides for costs from taxes raised in the province Beyond the River itself (v. 8). He also provides materials for sacrifices (v. 9), with the political condition that the Jews would pray for the life of the king and his sons (v. 10). Darius’s generosity was part of his plan for maintaining Persian power.

6:11–12 Darius makes a further decree, backed up with a typical threat. He borrows language from the Israelite way of speaking about God’s presence in Jerusalem (the God who has caused his name to dwell there, compare Deut. 12:5). This does not neces-

7:9 the first month . . . the fifth month. The journey of 900 miles (1,448 km) from Babylon to Jerusalem took nearly four months. This was a slow pace, probably because the caravan included children and elderly people.

7:10 Ezra’s mission was to teach God’s statutes and rules. These appear throughout Exodus to Deuteronomy, especially in Exodus 20–23, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy 12–26.

7:11 Artaxerxes’ decree is in a letter in Aramaic (see note on 4:7–8) addressed to Ezra.

7:12 The title king of kings was used by Persia’s kings. It expresses their sovereignty over many conquered peoples. Ezra is called the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. This may refer to a respon-sibility he had in Babylon, even before returning to Jerusalem.

lowed immediately by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasts for seven days (see Lev. 23:5–6). Participating are the people of Israel and the people of the land who had joined them (see note on Ezra 6:21). Persia’s king now ruled over the territorial empire of the Assyrians, so he could be called king of Assyria.

6:21 Remarkably, the returning Jews are joined by every one who had . . . separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord. The community was based on faith rather than on ancestry. Non-Israelites who expressed faith in God and a willingness to follow his law were welcome.

7:1–8:36 Ezra the Priest Comes to Jerusalem to Establish the Law of Moses. The text now skips ahead 57 years (see note on 7:1–7). Ezra the scribe is charged by King Artaxerxes to establish the Law of Moses in Jerusalem. This section tells of Ezra’s com-mission, his journey, and his companions.

7:1–28 King Artaxerxes Gives Ezra Authority to Establish the Mosaic Law. Artaxerxes gives Ezra the authority to establish the Mosaic law in Judah, to appoint officials to administer the law, and to provide for the further adornment of the temple.

7:1–7 Ezra is introduced first as a priest, in the line of Aaron the chief priest. He comes to Jerusalem in the seventh year, that is, in 458 b.c., 57 years after the temple dedication.

7:6–7 Ezra is a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. The people badly need instruction in the law. Ezra has apparently asked the king for permission and resources to go to Jerusalem (v. 7). Artaxerxes grants Ezra all that he needs, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him (see note on 1:1). Ezra comes to Judah with a new wave of immigrants.

sarily mean that Darius believes in the one true God (compare note on Ezra 1:3–4).

6:14 God, speaking here through his prophets, is the real power behind events. But the actions of the Persian kings on behalf of the Jews are also acknowledged.

6:15 The month of Adar (February/March) was the last month of the year. The sixth year of the reign of Darius was 515 b.c., almost exactly 70 years after the destruction of the first temple (586), fulfill-ing the prophecy of 70 years of exile (see note on 1:1).

6:16–17 the people of Israel. Even though the returned exiles con-sisted of only three tribes (see note on 1:5), they represent all 12, the number of the tribes of Israel. The other divisions, the priests and the Levites and the laity, are a typical way of describing the whole community in Ezra. with joy. The Lord had fulfilled his prophecies and answered his people’s prayers. There is spontaneous joy when God’s people see evidence that he is working in the world. The dedication of this house follows its completion.

6:18 The priests and Levites are set in their divisions, grouped according to their temple duties, as King David had done (1 Chronicles 23–27).

6:19–22 The text returns from Aramaic to Hebrew in v. 19 (see note on 4:7–8). The Passover is kept on its appointed date, fol-

DiD You Know?How long did it take to rebuild the temple? The Jews returning from exile faced many obstacles in rebuilding the temple. The non-Jewish people now living in the land resisted their efforts, and the returned exiles often lacked the motivation to work. The temple took 20 years to complete, and it fell far short of the grandeur of Solomon’s temple.

all of them were clean. p So they slaughtered the

Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and q also by every one who had joined them and separated himself r

from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread s seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful t and had turned the heart of u the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra Sent to Teach the People

7 Now after this, v in the reign of v Artaxerxes king of Persia, w Ezra the son of Seraiah, son

of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, 2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, 3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, 4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest— 6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was

a scribe x skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, y

for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.

7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and z some of the priests and a Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple b servants. 8 And Ezra1 came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, c for the good hand of his God was on him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it d and to e teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

11 This is a copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel: 12 “Artaxerxes, f king of kings, to

offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits1 and its breadth sixty cubits, 4

v with three layers of great stones and one

layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. 5 And also w let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place. You shall put them in the house of God.”

6 “Now therefore, x Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, y and your2 associates the governors who are in the prov-ince Beyond the River, keep away. 7 Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. 8 Moreover, z I make a decree regarding what you shall do for these elders of the Jews for the rebuilding of this house of God. The cost is to be paid to these men in full and without delay from the royal revenue, the tribute of the province from Beyond the River. 9 And whatever is needed—bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require—let that be given to them day by day without fail, 10 that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven a and pray for the life of the king and his sons. 11 Also I make a decree that if anyone alters this edict, a beam shall be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and b his house shall be made a dunghill. 12 May the God c who has caused his name

to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence.”

The Temple Finished and Dedicated13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius

the king, x Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. 14 dAnd the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and e by decree of Cyrus and f Darius and gArtaxerxes king of Persia; 15 and this house was finished on the third day of the h month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, cel-ebrated the i dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel j 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests k in their divisions and the Levites l in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, m as it is written in the Book of Moses.

Passover Celebrated19 n On the fourteenth day of the first month, the

returned exiles kept the Passover. 20 o For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together;

Profile: ezraEzra is described as “a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel” (7:11). Both a priest and scribe, Ezra was commissioned by King Artaxerxes of Persia to establish the Law of Moses in Jerusalem. The king also gave him money from the royal treasury to beautify the temple. Arriving in Jerusalem 57 years after the temple was rebuilt, Ezra appointed judges to administer the law. Seventy years of Babylonian exile had had a negative effect on the people’s relationship with the Lord. The Lord enabled Ezra to guide Israel as they sought once again to live according to the law.

Key referenCe: EZRA 7:1–6

Kings of Persia Mentioned in Ezra–Nehemiah

Cyrus 539–530 b.c.

Darius I 522–486

Xerxes (Ahasuerus) 485–464

Artaxerxes I 464–423

Bible Production:Student Study Bible:interior:3rd Proof:15.Ezra Bible Production:Student Study Bible:interior:3rd Proof:15.Ezra

This spread shows actual pages from the book of Ezra. For the full size and format of the ESV Student Study Bible, see the pages from Mark, beginning on page 11.

notesAdapted from the ESV Study Bible, these notes give detailed insights and concise explanation.

ChartsCharts summarize important people, places, events, and doctrinal truths.

Character Profiles100 profiles highlight the major characters of the Bible.


1309

A massive curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. When Jesus died, this curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).

0 10 20 30 m

0 25 50 75 100 ft

The Holy Place contained the lampstand, the table for the bread of the Presence, and the altar of incense. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah on the right side of the incense altar (Luke 1:11).

The high priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to offer incense and sprinkle blood. Josephus reports that this room was empty, although the original emplacement of the Ark of the Covenant in the “Foundation Stone” was still visible.

There was an upper chamber above the sanctuary, which allowed access (through holes in the floor) for cleaning of the gold-covered walls below. A ladder (shown partly cut away in this section) gave access to the upper roof level.

The inner sanctuary was surrounded on three sides by three stories of chambers, containing 38 cells that housed supplies and vessels for the ritual ceremonies.

Herod’s Temple in THe Time of JesusHerod began construction of this magnificent temple in 20/19 b.c., during the 18th year of his reign. The main construction phase was completed within about a decade. Detailed descriptions of the temple exist in Josephus ( Jewish Antiquities 15.380–425; Jewish War 5.184–247) and in early rabbinic writings (esp. Mishnah, Middot). The Roman army under Titus destroyed the temple during the capture of Jerusalem in a.d. 70. The temple was 172 feet (52 m) long, wide, and high (about 16 to 20 stories tall).

42.Luke.indd 1309 2/28/11 11:54 AM

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1309

A massive curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. When Jesus died, this curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).

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The Holy Place contained the lampstand, the table for the bread of the Presence, and the altar of incense. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah on the right side of the incense altar (Luke 1:11).

The high priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to offer incense and sprinkle blood. Josephus reports that this room was empty, although the original emplacement of the Ark of the Covenant in the “Foundation Stone” was still visible.

There was an upper chamber above the sanctuary, which allowed access (through holes in the floor) for cleaning of the gold-covered walls below. A ladder (shown partly cut away in this section) gave access to the upper roof level.

The inner sanctuary was surrounded on three sides by three stories of chambers, containing 38 cells that housed supplies and vessels for the ritual ceremonies.

Herod’s Temple in THe Time of JesusHerod began construction of this magnificent temple in 20/19 b.c., during the 18th year of his reign. The main construction phase was completed within about a decade. Detailed descriptions of the temple exist in Josephus ( Jewish Antiquities 15.380–425; Jewish War 5.184–247) and in early rabbinic writings (esp. Mishnah, Middot). The Roman army under Titus destroyed the temple during the capture of Jerusalem in a.d. 70. The temple was 172 feet (52 m) long, wide, and high (about 16 to 20 stories tall).

42.Luke.indd 1309 2/28/11 11:54 AM

Creation Call of Abraham

Israel goes to Egypt

Exodus from Egypt

c. 2091 b.c. 1876 b.c. 1446 b.c.

I n t r o d u c t I o n to G e n e s i s

Author, DAte, AnD recipients

Traditionally, Moses is believed to have been the author of Genesis and the rest of the Pentateuch (see Num. 33:2; Deut. 31:24; John 5:46). Of course, Moses lived several centuries later than the events of Genesis. Presum ably, stories were passed on about those earlier events.

The first audience would have been the Israelites Moses led through the wilderness. For readers today, Genesis is an essential introduction to the rest of the Bible.

theme

The theme of Genesis is creation, sin, and re-creation. God created the world as very good, but it was destroyed in the flood as a result of man’s disobedience. The new world after the flood was also spoiled by human sin (ch. 11). God chose Abraham for a special purpose. Through his family, all nations would be blessed (12:1–3). God’s purpose will eventually be fulfilled through Abraham’s descendants (ch. 49).

Key themes

1. The Lord God commissions human beings to be his representatives on earth. They are to take care of the earth and govern the other creatures (1:1–2:25).

2. Instead of acting as God’s representatives on earth, the first man and woman—Adam and Eve—listen to the serpent and follow his advice. Their disobedience has devastating results for all mankind and for the entire created world (3:1–24; 6:5–6).

3. God graciously announces that Eve’s offspring will free humanity from the serpent’s control (3:15). Genesis then begins tracing the history of one family that will become the people of Israel. This family has a special relationship with God and will become a source of blessing to fallen humanity (12:1–3).

4. As a result of Adam’s disobedience, his unique relationship with the ground degenerates, resulting in hard work and even flood and famine. But the special family descending from Adam also brings relief from the difficulties (3:17–19; 5:29; 50:19–21).

5. While Eve’s punishment centers on pain in bearing children (3:16), women play an essential role in continuing the unique family line. With God’s help, even barrenness is overcome (11:30; 21:1–7; 25:21; 38:1–30).

6. The corruption of human nature causes families to be torn apart (4:1–16; 13:5–8; 25:22–23; 27:41–45; 37:2–35). Although Genesis shows the reality of family conflicts, individual members of the chosen family can also help resolve those conflicts (13:8–11; 33:1–11; 45:1–28; 50:15–21).

7. The wicked are exiled from Eden and scattered throughout the earth (3:22–24; 4:12–16; 11:9), but God is kind to his chosen people and promises them a land of their own (12:1–2, 7; 15:7–21; 28:13–14; 50:24).

8. God is prepared to destroy almost the entire human race because of its corruption (6:7, 11–12; 18:17–33), but he still wants his world to be populated by righteous people (1:28; 9:1; 15:1–5; 35:11).

Bible Production:Student Study Bible:interior:2nd proof:01.Genesis

INTRODUCTION TO GeNesIs

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outline

I. Primeval History (1:1–11:26) A. God’s creation and ordering of heaven and earth (1:1–2:3) B. Earth’s first people (2:4–4:26) C. Adam’s descendants (5:1–6:8) D. Noah’s descendants (6:9–9:29) E. The descendants of Noah’s sons (10:1–11:9) F. Shem’s descendants (11:10–26)

II. Patriarchal History (11:27–50:26) A. Terah’s descendants (11:27–25:18) B. Isaac’s descendants (25:19–37:1) C. Jacob’s descendants (37:2–50:26)

mAp: the neAr eAst At the time of Genesis

c. 2000 b.c.The book of Genesis describes events in the ancient Near East from the beginnings of civilization to the relocation of Jacob’s (Israel’s) family in Egypt. The stories of Genesis are set among some of the oldest nations in the world, including Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and Elam.

Mediterranean Sea

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Gulf Gulf Persian Persian Persian Persian Persian Persian

Gulf Gulf Persian Persian Persian

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ELAM ELAM ELAM ELAM ELAM ELAM ELAM

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BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA BABYLONIA

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Bible Production:Student Study Bible:interior:2nd proof:01.Genesis

These composite pages have been compiled to display the main features and page layout of the ESV Student Study Bible, and are adapted from the actual pages of Luke 2, the introduction to Genesis, and the topical articles. For the full size and format of the ESV Student Study Bible, see the pages from Mark, beginning on page 11.

articles15 topical articles unpack the important doctrines of the Bible and Christian faith.

Book introductionsA complete introduction to each Bible book explains its author, background, setting, major themes, and timeline.

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MapsFull-color maps provide helpful background and geographical information.

Pages shown at 40% of actual size


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