Opponents discouraged the people and hired counselors to frustrate their purpose, and later officials sent accusations to the king. The king’s reply ordered the work to stop, and it was halted by force and power. See Ezra 4:4 and Ezra 4:23.

They kept the dedication with joy and offered sacrifices, including bulls, rams, lambs, and male goats as a sin offering for all Israel. Ezra also notes that priests and Levites were set in their divisions for service. See Ezra 6:16 and Ezra 6:17.

Ezra gives the total assembly as 42,360, in addition to male and female servants and singers. The chapter also lists animals and freewill gifts. See Ezra 2:64 and Ezra 2:65.

Ezra weighed out the silver, gold, and vessels and entrusted them to selected priests and Levites, charging them to guard the holy things. When they arrived in Jerusalem, the offerings were weighed again and recorded. See Ezra 8:25 and Ezra 8:34.

Artaxerxes authorized Ezra to inquire about Judah and Jerusalem according to the law of his God and to bring silver and gold for the house of God. He also instructed treasurers to provide resources and exempted certain temple workers from taxes. See Ezra 7:14 and Ezra 7:24.

Shecaniah proposed making a covenant with God to put away the foreign wives and the children born to them, “according to the counsel” and the Law. Ezra then made leading priests, Levites, and all Israel swear to do it. See Ezra 10:3 and Ezra 10:5.

Cyrus said the LORD, the God of heaven, had given him all the kingdoms of the earth and charged him to build a house at Jerusalem. He invited any of God’s people to go up, with God with them, and build. See Ezra 1:2 and Ezra 1:3.

Darius told Tattenai and the officials to stay away and let the work on the house of God alone. He also ordered that expenses be paid from royal revenue and that needed offerings be provided. See Ezra 6:7 and Ezra 6:8.

Ezra confessed shame over the people’s guilt, acknowledged past iniquities, and recognized God’s mercy in leaving a remnant and giving them a “little reviving.” He also says God extended steadfast love to them “in the sight of the kings of Persia.” See Ezra 9:6 and Ezra 9:9.

They said Cyrus made a decree to rebuild the house of God and that he also brought out the temple vessels from Babylon to be returned. They identified Sheshbazzar as the one appointed to take the vessels and lay the foundations. See Ezra 5:13 and Ezra 5:16.

Officials reported that the people, including priests and Levites, had not separated from the peoples of the lands and had taken foreign wives. The report says the hand of the princes and rulers had been foremost in this trespass. See Ezra 9:1 and Ezra 9:2.

Tattenai and the officials asked, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this structure?” They also asked for the names of the men making the building. See Ezra 5:3 and Ezra 5:4.

Those remaining were told to help the returnees with silver, gold, goods, and beasts, along with a freewill offering for God’s house in Jerusalem. Ezra describes both required assistance and voluntary giving. See Ezra 1:4.

Cyrus brought out the vessels of the house of the LORD that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in a Babylonian temple. Ezra says they were counted and handed over for return. See Ezra 1:7 and Ezra 1:8.

Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to do it, and to teach statutes and rules in Israel. This sentence summarizes his mission and explains his work in Jerusalem. See Ezra 7:10.

They built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings, even though they feared the peoples of the lands. Ezra presents the altar as the first restored worship structure before the temple foundation. See Ezra 3:2 and Ezra 3:3.

When the builders laid the foundation, priests and Levites praised the LORD with singing, and the people shouted with a great shout. Many older priests and Levites who had seen the first house wept loudly, while others shouted for joy. See Ezra 3:10 and Ezra 3:12.

Ezra says the house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. The completion is tied to the building decree and ongoing support. See Ezra 6:15.

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah prophesied to the Jews, and then Zerubbabel and Jeshua rose up and began to rebuild the house of God. Ezra notes that the prophets of God were with them and supported them. See Ezra 5:1 and Ezra 5:2.

Ezra is introduced as a priest and scribe, traced through a genealogy back to Aaron the chief priest. The narrative presents him as skilled in the Law of Moses. See Ezra 7:1 and Ezra 7:6.

Ezra says Cyrus acted "that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled" and because "the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus". Cyrus issued a written proclamation to rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. See Ezra 1:1 and Ezra 1:2.

Ezra proclaimed a fast to humble themselves before God and seek from him a safe journey for their people and possessions. He explains he was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen for protection. See Ezra 8:21 and Ezra 8:22.

They said the offerers had no part with them in building a house to their God, and that they alone would build as Cyrus king of Persia had commanded. The refusal becomes the turning point that leads to organized opposition. See Ezra 4:2 and Ezra 4:3.

Some priestly families could not find their registration in the genealogies, so they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood. They were told not to eat the most holy food until a priest could consult Urim and Thummim. See Ezra 2:62 and Ezra 2:63.