Ezra עֶזְרָא

Who is Ezra in the Bible?

Ezra was a priest who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, during the reign of King Cyrus of Persia (Neh. 12:1). He served as the head of a priestly family and participated in the dedication of Jerusalem's wall, where he led one of the two processions of thanksgiving (Neh. 12:33). This Ezra was among the first wave of exiles to return and help rebuild the temple and city. He should not be confused with the more prominent figure of the same name, the priest and scribe who led a later group of exiles back to Jerusalem and initiated widespread spiritual reforms. As a priestly leader in Jerusalem's restoration, Ezra represents the faithful remnant who returned to reestablish worship and community in their homeland.