Book of Ezra

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/book-of-ezra

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the time of composition?Likely compiled in the Persian period (539–332 BCE) or early Hellenistic period
2. What is the linguistic features?Contains sections in both Hebrew and Aramaic, indicating its historical context
3. What is the Book of Ezra about?It tells the story of people returning from exile, rebuilding the Second Temple, and restoring their faith and community.
4. Who helped the people rebuild the Temple?Persian kings like Cyrus and Darius gave permission and support, acting as instruments of God’s will.

Second Temple Period: The era of Jewish history from the rebuilding of the Temple (c. 515 BCE) to its destruction (70 CE).
Extrabiblical Evidence: Historical or archaeological information found outside of the Bible.
Artaxerxes Rescript: A decree attributed to King Artaxerxes I concerning Ezra's mission, subject to historical debate.