Ezra

Ezra was according to the biblical narrative of the Old Testament priest and a descendant of the first High Priest Aaron. His name means "Yahweh helps " or " God 's help". He lived after the time of the Babylonian exile in the Persian Empire and was part of the Jewish community, which was still living partly in Babylon, but was returned by the edict of Cyrus already to a large extent back to Palestine. Ezra has held the office of " Secretary " for religious affairs of the Jews at the Persian court. Equipped with full powers drew Ezra about 458 BC after Jerusalem. He is mentioned in the Book of Ezra Chapter 7 from EU. Ezra's concern was to establish law and order in the newly formed Jerusalem church. Was Ezra's authority throughout the fifth satrapy of the Persian Empire. It entitled him to use judges in all Jewish communities. This also applied the Samaritans who lived around Jerusalem and had him set against hostile. He may have had a significant influence on the selection and editing of the scriptures and of the Mosaic law.

The biblical tradition

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe this phase of the history of Israel.

Ezra is sent by the Persian king Artaxerxes to Jerusalem to introduce there the order of the God of Israel again. With him return after Ezra 8.1 to 14 EU back in 1496 more people. It assigns priesthood and temple service and organizes the return of other Jews from exile.

From Ezra 7.27 to 28 EU The book of the Aramaic changes to the Hebrew language and the I - form. This sudden change can the autobiographical nature of the report recognize.

Distraught, he is about marriages with heathen women and asks God for mercy. Finally, it comes to the separation of these marriages.

Representation in the Quran

In the Koran, the biblical figure Ezra may be mentioned in Sura 9.30: "The Jews say: ' Uzair [ d h Ezra ] is the son of God ' and the Christians say: ., Christ is the Son of God.' These are their words from their ( own ) mouths. They do it [ with this her statement ] which, according to that used in disbelief. God fight them! How they ( but ) can turn away! Uzair is expressed by some commentators Quran with Ezra in connection.