Ezra and Nehemiah: A Review of the Return and Reform

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah present an account of the history of the Judean people from the time of the Exile until the transition to Judaism was well on its way. Cyrus, king of Persia, in his first regnal year issued a decree permitting the Judean exiles to return to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). Sheshbazzar, a Judean prince (Ezra 1:8), led the first group of returnees and rebuilt the altar. The temple was begun in the following year (Ezra 5:16), but opposition by the people of the land delayed the project for about fifteen years