2 Esdras
The Book is similar to the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. But it offers additional material. It is in Orthodox Bibles.
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, How Many People Will Be Saved
The Book of Second Esdras is recognized as Deuterocanonical Scripture by the Orthodox Churches
SUMMARY
Title
The word “Esdras” is the Greek form of the Hebrew personal name Ezra.
The Book of Second Esdras is from the Greek Bible, also known as the Septuagint.
The book is composed of three distinct parts, each of which has a unique origin:
- “5 Ezra”
- “4 Ezra”
- “6 Ezra”
For our analysis, we will consider each part individually:
“FIFTH EZRA”
Title
This part is nicknamed Fifth Ezra. It is usually abbreviated as 5 Ezra.
It spans 2 Esdras chapters 1 to 2.
Author
This part is of Christian authorship.
Date
There are some indications that this part was written in the second–third centuries AD, although this is not certain.
Purpose
To indicate how 4 Ezra was read in the centuries after its composition.
Sources
Scholars generally agree that 5 Ezra was originally written in Greek.
However, in our day, the full texts only survive in the Latin translation.
Impact
Ezra 5 had no known influence on Jewish literature. But it influenced the Roman church, particularly in the liturgy.
“FOURTH EZRA”
Title
This part is nicknamed Fourth Ezra. It is usually abbreviated as 4 Ezra.
It spans 2 Esdras chapters 3 to 14.
Author
4 Ezra is the work of one Jewish individual, who draws at points on older material.
Date
This part was written after the Roman Empire destroyed the Temple in 70 AD.
On the basis of the identification of the heads in the fifth vision in chapters 11 and 12, its date can be set more precisely in the last decade of the first century AD.
Purpose
This part consists of seven visions separated by fasts.
The original audience for this part was Jewish people, probably living in the land of Israel, who were wrestling with the implications of the destruction of the temple.
Sources
Scholars today almost universally hold that 4 Ezra was composed in a Semitic language, most probably Hebrew.
The original Hebrew text and the Greek primary translation of it have perished, except for a few quotations from the Greek text by ancient authors.
In our day, most of the text of Ezra 6 survives only in the Latin translation.
Impact
4 Ezra was an influential writing. It is deeply imbued with the Hebrew Scriptures.
It has an explicit relationship to the book of Daniel, which situates it in the apocalyptic tradition.
4 Ezra had a deep and broad influence in both Eastern and Western Christianity. No impression on rabbinic or later Judaism has been discerned.
“SIXTH EZRA”
Title
This part is nicknamed Sixth Ezra. It is usually abbreviated as 6 Ezra.
It spans 2 Esdras chapters 15 to 16.
Author
This part was probably written by a Christian.
Date
This part can be dated on internal grounds to the third century AD.
Purpose
To indicate how 4 Ezra was read in the centuries after its composition.
Specifically, to encourage a third-century Christian audience during a time of oppression.
Sources
In our day, the full text of Ezra 6 only survives in the Latin translation.
Impact
6 Ezra seems to have had no particular influence in Jewish or Christian circles.
OUTLINE
“FIFTH EZRA”
A prophetic indictment of God’s people
2 Esdras 1:1-3. The genealogy of Ezra
2 Esdras 1:4-11. A review of the Exodus
2 Esdras 1:12-23. Remembering God’s mercies
2 Esdras 1:24-40. The LORD God will bring in the Gentiles
2 Esdras 2:1-9. God’s judgment on Israel
Assurance of redemption to a new people
2 Esdras 2:10-14. The reward for the new Israel
2 Esdras 2:15-32. Exhortation to good works
2 Esdras 2:33-41. Ezra on Mount Horeb
2 Esdras 2:42-48. Ezra sees the Son of God
“FOURTH EZRA”
The First Vision
2 Esdras 3:1-3. Introduction to the first vision
2 Esdras 3:4-27. An historical review as an indictment of God
2 Esdras 3:28-36. Ezra’s specific charges against God
2 Esdras 4:1-25. The seer and the angel argue
2 Esdras 4:26-32. A transitional oracle
2 Esdras 4:33-52. Ezra asks about the End
2 Esdras 5:1-13. Signs of the End
2 Esdras 5:14-15. Conclusion of the First Vision
The Second Vision
2 Esdras 5:16-22. Ezra fasts seven days
2 Esdras 5:23-30. The second vision
2 Esdras 5:41-55. How and when the End will arrive
2 Esdras 6:1-6. When and How will the End Arrive, Continued
2 Esdras 6:7-10. Dividing the Times
2 Esdras 6:11-28. More Signs of the End
2 Esdras 6:29-35. Ezra fasts seven more days
The Third Vision
2 Esdras 6:36-54. The Third Vision
2 Esdras 6:55-59. Why do God’s people suffer?
2 Esdras 7:1-25. Ezra talks with the angel
2 Esdras 7:26-44. Signs of the End
2 Esdras 7:45-74. Only a few will be saved
2 Esdras 7:75-101. State of the dead before judgment
2 Esdras 7:102-115. Intercession for the ungodly
2 Esdras 7:116-140. Lament over the fate of most people
2 Esdras 8:1-3. Lament over the fate of most people, continued
2 Esdras 8:19b-36. Ezra’s prayer
2 Esdras 8:37-45. Response to Ezra’s Prayer
2 Esdras 8:46-63. Mercy will be in the future world
2 Esdras 9:1-13. More about the signs of the end
2 Esdras 9:14-22. The argument repeated
2 Esdras 9:23-28. Ezra adapts a vegan diet
The Fourth Vision
2 Esdras 9:29-37. The glory of the Law of Moses
2 Esdras 9:38-47. Ezra’s vision of a Weeping Woman
2 Esdras 10:1-28. Ezra’s vision of a Weeping Woman, continued
2 Esdras 10:29-59. Uriel’s interpretation of the vision
The Fifth Vision
2 Esdras 11:1-35. The dream-vision of an eagle
2 Esdras 11:36-46. The dream-vision of a lion
2 Esdras 12:1-6. The dream-vision of a lion, continued
2 Esdras 12:7-39. The interpretation of the vision
2 Esdras 12:40-50. The people come to Ezra
2 Esdras 12:51. Ezra adapts a vegan diet again
The Sixth Vision
2 Esdras 13:1-13a. The dream-vision of a man from the sea
2 Esdras 13:13b-58. The interpretation of the vision
The Seventh Vision
2 Esdras 14:1-18. Ezra is given a mission
2 Esdras 14:19-26. Ezra will dictate the Scriptures
2 Esdras 14:27-36. Ezra addresses the people
2 Esdras 14:37-48. Ezra dictates the Scriptures to five scribes
“SIXTH EZRA”
2 Esdras 15:1-27. Doom for the wicked
2 Esdras 15:28-33. A terrifying vision of warfare
2 Esdras 15:34-45. Judgment on Babylon
2 Esdras 15:46-63. Judgment on Asia
2 Esdras 16:1-17. Judgment of the four nations
2 Esdras 16:18-34. Eschatological destruction
2 Esdras 16:35-54. Destruction is on the way
2 Esdras 16:55-62. The creation narrative
2 Esdras 16:63-78. Divine judgment
MEMORIZE
Here are some great verses to memorize:
2 Esdras 4:21. For just as the ground is given to the wood, and the sea to its waves, even so those who dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but what is upon the earth. Only he who dwells above the heavens understands the things that are above the height of the heavens.
2 Esdras 9:24. but go into a field of flowers, where no house is built, and eat only of the flowers of the field, and you shall taste no flesh, and shall drink no wine, but shall eat flowers only—
2 Esdras 12:51. But I sat in the field seven days, as the angel commanded me. In those days, I ate only of the flowers of the field, and my food was from plants.
SEE ALSO:
Great verses to memorize from the entire Bible
HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE SAVED?
In 2 Esdras, the number of righteous people is few. But the number of ungodly people is many.
2 Esdras 7:47. Now I see that the world to come will bring delight to few, but torments to many.
2 Esdras 7:51. For because you have said that the just are not many, but few, and the ungodly abound, hear the explanation.
2 Esdras 7:60. So also is the judgment which I have promised; for I will rejoice over the few that will be saved, because these are those who have made my glory to prevail now, and through them, my name is now honored.
2 Esdras 7:61. I won’t grieve over the multitude of those who perish; for these are those who are now like mist, and have become like flame and smoke; they are set on fire and burn hotly, and are extinguished.
2 Esdras 8:3. Many have been created, but few will be saved.
2 Esdras 8:41. For as the farmer sows many seeds in the ground, and plants many trees, and yet not all that is sown will come up in due season, neither will all that is planted take root, even so those who are sown in the world will not all be saved.
2 Esdras 9:15. I have said before, and now speak, and will say it again hereafter, that there are more of those who perish than of those who will be saved,
2 Esdras 9:22. Let the multitude perish then, which were born in vain. Let my grape be saved, and my plant, for I have made them perfect with great labor.
2 Esdras 10:10. For out of her, all had their beginnings, and others will come; and, behold, almost all of them walk into destruction, and the multitude of them is utterly doomed.
2 Esdras 10:11. Who then should mourn more, she who has lost so great a multitude, or you, who are grieved but for one?
2 ESDRAS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, How Many People Will Be Saved
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.