In antiquity Ezra and Nehemiah were always considered together. They cover the period from approximately 539 B.C. through the end of the 5th century B.C., leading us to the end of the chronological period of the Old Testament. There is some tradition that Ezra is the author, though the actual picture seems to be a little more complex. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah clearly have been considered together, not being separated in Hebrew Bibles until the Middle Ages. The books are also closely related to the text of Chronicles. Yet it appears in recent years that Ezra-Nehemiah is not actually part of Chronicles. There are also clear shifts between first and third person speech which may indicate either use of different sources or multiple authorship. Dating of the text is also difficult, as there is some lack of agreement about the date of Ezra's mission. Nehemiah appears clearly to have gone on his mission in 445 B.C. However, Ezra's date is difficult. Scholars place him alternatively at 428 or 398 B.C. The decree of Cyrus seems clearly dated at about 539 B.C.
Initially there is an attempt to rebuild the temple and establish worship. This construction halted in the reign of Artaxerxes and was resumed in the time of Darius, around 515 B.C. Other revitalization of Jerusalem seems to happen during the period 458-433 B.C. After the revitalization, the temple restoration is resumed.
This literary works seems to gather material from numerous different sources, such as letters, royal proclamations, supply lists, and some first person narratives of Ezra and Nehemiah. It is probably most profitable to consider the text as a collation of various types of literature. While the style differs, the overall point of view and plot is very cohesive. God is interested in gathering his people and enabling their worship, despite detractors. Over the course of the book we see a shift from leaders guiding restoration to the community taking it on. Holiness is also progressively less restricted to particular places and expanded to the entire city. We also see a move from oral to written authority, culminating with the reading of the Scripture at the end of the book.
As we consider the New Testament we see that perfection has not been reached even in the reconstructed Jerusalem. We wait for the coming of Christ who is the culmination of our worship, purifying a people for himself.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
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