Ezra

Ezra was a priest and scribe, a descendant of Aaron, described as "a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the LORD, the God of Israel, had given." In 458 BC he led a second wave of returning exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem under a letter of authorization from the Persian king Artaxerxes, who gave him silver and gold and authority to appoint judges and magistrates across the region. The text summarizes his life purpose in a single verse: "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel."

When Ezra arrived in Jerusalem he discovered widespread intermarriage with surrounding peoples, including among the priests and Levites. He tore his robe and pulled hair from his head and beard, then sat in stunned silence until the evening sacrifice and prayed a long, prostrate confession on behalf of the people. A community process over three months dissolved the mixed marriages. Later, in Nehemiah 8, Ezra stood on a wooden platform in the open square before the Water Gate and read from the Book of the Law from early morning until midday. The Levites interpreted it as he read, and the people wept when they heard it. Ezra told them not to weep: "This day is holy to our LORD. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."