OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

1

• King Cyrus’ decree to rebuild the temple (1-4)

• Preparations for exiles’ return from Babylon (5-11)

2

• List of exiles who returned (1-67)

  • Temple servants (43-54)

  • Sons of the servants of Solomon (55-57)

• Voluntary offerings for the temple (68-70)

3

• Altar rebuilt and sacrifices offered (1-7)

• The temple rebuilding begins (8, 9)

• Temple foundation laid (10-13)

4

• Opposition to rebuilding the temple (1-6)

• Enemies send complaint to King Artaxerxes (7-16)

• Artaxerxes’ reply (17-22)

• Temple construction halted (23, 24)

5

• The Jews resume temple building (1-5)

• Tattenai’s letter to King Darius (6-17)

6

• Darius’ investigation and decree (1-12)

• Temple completed and inaugurated (13-18)

• Passover observed (19-22)

7

• Ezra comes to Jerusalem (1-10)

• Artaxerxes’ letter to Ezra (11-26)

• Ezra praises Jehovah (27, 28)

8

• List of those returning with Ezra (1-14)

• Preparations for the journey (15-30)

• Departure from Babylon and arrival in Jerusalem (31-36)

9

• Intermarriage in Israel (1-4)

• Ezra’s prayer of confession (5-15)

10

• Covenant to send away foreign wives (1-14)

• Foreign wives dismissed (15-44)