Wisdom of Ezra
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Topical Encyclopedia
The "Wisdom of Ezra" is not a canonical book within the traditional Protestant Bible but is often associated with the broader collection of Jewish and Christian literature that includes apocryphal and deuterocanonical texts. Ezra, a scribe and priest, is a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, particularly known for his role in the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem and the re-establishment of the Law among the Jewish people. The canonical books of Ezra and Nehemiah in the Old Testament provide a historical account of his leadership and reforms.

Historical Context

Ezra lived during the 5th century BC, a period marked by the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. This era was characterized by the rebuilding of the Temple and the reconstitution of Jewish society under the Persian Empire. Ezra's mission, as described in the canonical Book of Ezra, was to teach the statutes and ordinances of the Lord to the people of Israel (Ezra 7:10: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel").

Themes and Content

The "Wisdom of Ezra" is often associated with themes of divine wisdom, the importance of the Law, and the need for spiritual and communal renewal. While not a specific text within the Protestant canon, the wisdom attributed to Ezra can be inferred from his actions and the reforms he implemented. Ezra's dedication to the Law and his efforts to purify the community from foreign influences highlight the centrality of obedience to God's commandments as a source of wisdom.

Ezra's wisdom is also evident in his prayer life and his reliance on God for guidance. In Ezra 8:21-23 , Ezra proclaims a fast to seek God's protection for the journey back to Jerusalem, demonstrating his dependence on divine wisdom: "Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions."

Influence and Legacy

Ezra's influence extends beyond his immediate historical context. His commitment to the Law and his role in the spiritual renewal of Israel have made him a model of piety and wisdom in Jewish and Christian traditions. The emphasis on the study and application of Scripture, as exemplified by Ezra, has been a foundational principle in both religious communities.

In Christian thought, Ezra's wisdom is often seen as a precursor to the teachings of Christ, who fulfilled the Law and imparted divine wisdom to His followers. The reverence for Scripture and the pursuit of godly wisdom, as demonstrated by Ezra, continue to be central tenets in Christian discipleship and theological reflection.

Conclusion

While the "Wisdom of Ezra" is not a distinct text within the Protestant Bible, the wisdom associated with Ezra's life and ministry is evident in his dedication to the Law, his leadership in the restoration of Israel, and his reliance on God for guidance and protection. His legacy as a wise and faithful servant of God endures in the ongoing study and application of Scripture in the life of the Church.
Nave's Topical Index
Ezra 7:25
And you, Ezra, after the wisdom of your God, that is in your hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of your God; and teach you them that know them not.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Ezra, the Priest and Scribe
... "Thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand," he directed,
"set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 50 ezra the priest.htm

Use of the Old Testament by the First Christian Writers, and by ...
... Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Kings first and second, Samuel, Chronicles, come Ezra first
and second ... by "for this also is written";(129) the book of Wisdom is cited as ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter v use of the.htm

The Samaritan and Alexandrian Canons.
... because verisimilitude required that an Egyptian Jew himself must make Ezra conform
to ... Tobit and Judith are between Nehemiah and Esther; the Wisdom of Solomon ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter iii the samaritan and.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... practiced by the Egyptians, hence the man trained in all the wisdom of the ... Ezra,
Nehemiah, and the prophets down to Malachi reiterated the same belief, sung ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

The Canonical Books.
... and Judith, and the two books of Maccabees, and the two of Ezra, [1770] which ... For
two books, one called Wisdom and the other Ecclesiasticus, are ascribed to ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 8 the canonical books.htm

Expositions of Holy Scripture
... THE FALL OF JUDAH. EZRA. THE EVE OF THE RESTORATION. ALTAR AND TEMPLE. ... THE PROVERBS.
A YOUNG MAN'S BEST COUNSELLOR. WISDOM'S CALL. THE SECRET OF WELL-BEING. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/

Appendix. The Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.
... reestablishment through Zerubbabel and Ezra. Its original and central part is a
legend from an unknown source respecting a trial of wisdom between Zerubbabel ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/appendix the apocryphal books of.htm

The Epistle of the Same Athanasius Taken from the xxxix. Festal ...
... Then First and Second Esdras [ie Ezra and Nehemiah]. ... The Wisdom of Solomon, the Wisdom
of Sirach, Esther, Judith, Tobit, the Doctrine (Didache) of the Apostles ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/the epistle of the same.htm

The Formation of the Old Testament Canon
... Tobit and Judith; four books wrongly ascribed to earlier authors,"the Wisdom of
Solomon ... books,"First Esdras, an expansion of the book of Ezra, the Prayer of ...
/.../xiii the formation of the.htm

The Books of Samuel and Kings.
... us is called First and Second [5397] Chronicles; the eighth, Ezra, which itself ... Wisdom,
therefore, which generally bears the name of Solomon, and the book of ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/the books of samuel and.htm

Resources
How is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? | GotQuestions.org

What is wisdom literature? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Wisdom of Solomon? | GotQuestions.org

Wisdom: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Personification of Wisdom

Statecraft: Wisdom In

The Wisdom of God is One of his Attributes

The Wisdom of God: All Human Wisdom Derived From

The Wisdom of God: Beyond Human Comprehension

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in His Counsels

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in His Foreshadowing Events

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in His Works

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: His Saints

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Actions

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Afflictions of Saints

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Heart

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Infirmities of Saints

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Minutest Matters

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Most Secret Things

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Time of Judgment

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Want of Saints

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Way of Saints

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Wicked

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Words

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Knowing: The Works of the Wicked

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Redemption

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Searching the Heart

The Wisdom of God: Exhibited in Understanding the Thoughts

The Wisdom of God: Incomparable

The Wisdom of God: Infinite

The Wisdom of God: Mighty

The Wisdom of God: Nothing is Concealed From

The Wisdom of God: Perfect

The Wisdom of God: Saints Ascribe to Him

The Wisdom of God: should be Magnified

The Wisdom of God: The Gospel Contains Treasures of

The Wisdom of God: The Wicked Question

The Wisdom of God: Underived

The Wisdom of God: Universal

The Wisdom of God: Unsearchable

The Wisdom of God: Wisdom of Saints is Derived From

The Wisdom of God: Wonderful

Wisdom

Wisdom Literature

Wisdom of Aholiab

Wisdom of Bezaleel

Wisdom of Daniel

Wisdom of Ethan, Heman, Chalcol, and Darda

Wisdom of Ezra

Wisdom of God

Wisdom of Hiram

Wisdom of Jesus

Wisdom of Joseph

Wisdom of Moses

Wisdom of Other Skilled Artisans

Wisdom of Paul

Wisdom of Solomon

Wisdom of the Magi (Wise Men from the East)

Wisdom of the Princes of the Tribe of Issachar

Wisdom of Women

Wisdom: Prayer for Spiritual

Wisdom: Spiritual, from God

Wisdom: Spiritual: Unclassified Scriptures Relating to

Wisdom: Worldly

Related Terms

Discernment (43 Occurrences)

Skill (26 Occurrences)

Discerning (29 Occurrences)

Manifold (23 Occurrences)

Ability (34 Occurrences)

Surpassed (7 Occurrences)

Prudent (40 Occurrences)

Deuterocanonical

Deutero-canonical

Men (18419 Occurrences)

Creation (35 Occurrences)

Prudence (9 Occurrences)

Applied (22 Occurrences)

Suggestions (9 Occurrences)

Surpassing (21 Occurrences)

Apply (19 Occurrences)

Skilled (44 Occurrences)

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

Skillful (42 Occurrences)

Sayings (134 Occurrences)

Volition

Discretion (20 Occurrences)

Magicians (16 Occurrences)

Mature (11 Occurrences)

Possessor (12 Occurrences)

Policy (3 Occurrences)

Perverted (26 Occurrences)

Becoming (75 Occurrences)

Bezalel (10 Occurrences)

Conjurers (7 Occurrences)

Coral (3 Occurrences)

Apocyphra

Aholiab (5 Occurrences)

Astrologers (9 Occurrences)

Subtil (3 Occurrences)

Subtlety (3 Occurrences)

Secrets (26 Occurrences)

Sincere (18 Occurrences)

Subtilty (9 Occurrences)

Subtle (5 Occurrences)

Sincerity (17 Occurrences)

Sensual (8 Occurrences)

Solomon's (56 Occurrences)

Discipline (63 Occurrences)

Affairs (27 Occurrences)

Sirach

Superior (18 Occurrences)

Discovery (24 Occurrences)

Queen (59 Occurrences)

Void (64 Occurrences)

Philosophy (1 Occurrence)

Skilful (38 Occurrences)

Proverb (24 Occurrences)

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)

Mighty (514 Occurrences)

Sheba (36 Occurrences)

Meekness (14 Occurrences)

Speech (107 Occurrences)

Sense (195 Occurrences)

Acquired (32 Occurrences)

Behaviour (115 Occurrences)

Brightness (36 Occurrences)

Baruch (24 Occurrences)

Madness (13 Occurrences)

Seeks (48 Occurrences)

Proved (49 Occurrences)

Preach (72 Occurrences)

Credit (39 Occurrences)

Possessions (84 Occurrences)

Perfect (205 Occurrences)

Discern (49 Occurrences)

Young (3454 Occurrences)

Perceived (57 Occurrences)

Vainglory (2 Occurrences)

Vessel (118 Occurrences)

Visitation (17 Occurrences)

Vexation (36 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Vindicated (10 Occurrences)

Wisdom of Ethan, Heman, Chalcol, and Darda
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