1 Esdras facts for kids

1 Esdras, also known as Greek Ezra, is an ancient book written in Greek. It's like an older version of the Biblical book of Ezra. This book was important to people a long, long time ago, including ancient Jews and early Christians. Today, many Christians still find it useful.

What is 1 Esdras?

1 Esdras tells stories about events that happened in ancient times, especially after the Jewish people returned to their homeland from being held captive in Babylon. It covers some of the same events as the Biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, but sometimes it tells them in a different order or adds new details.

Why is it called Greek Ezra?

It's called "Greek Ezra" because it was originally written in the Greek language. Many ancient Jewish texts were translated into Greek, and this version of Ezra became popular among Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians.

Who used 1 Esdras?

For a long time, 1 Esdras was used by many different groups. Ancient Jewish communities read it, and it was also important to the early Christian church. Even today, some Christian churches, especially in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, still include it in their collection of sacred books.

Stories in 1 Esdras

1 Esdras shares many stories about the Jewish people returning to their land and rebuilding their temple in Jerusalem. These events happened after a time when they were forced to live far away from home.

King Cyrus's Decree

The book begins with a famous decree from King Cyrus of Persia. He was a powerful ruler who allowed the Jewish people to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. This was a very important moment for them, as it meant they could practice their religion freely again.

The Temple's Reconstruction

A big part of 1 Esdras focuses on the hard work of rebuilding the temple. It wasn't an easy task! The people faced many challenges and even some opposition from others living in the area. But with determination, they slowly worked to bring their sacred building back to life.

Zerubbabel's Wisdom

One interesting story in 1 Esdras is about a man named Zerubbabel. He was a leader among the Jewish people. The book tells a tale where he wins a contest of wisdom before King Darius. Zerubbabel argues that "truth is strongest of all," which impresses the king and helps the Jewish people get more support for their rebuilding efforts.

Why is 1 Esdras important?

Even though 1 Esdras isn't included in all Bibles today, it's still very important for understanding history. It gives us another look at a key time for the Jewish people and how their community was re-established after a difficult period.

Historical Insights

Historians find 1 Esdras useful because it provides extra details and perspectives on events also found in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Sometimes it helps fill in gaps or offers a slightly different way of looking at the same historical moments.

Understanding Ancient Beliefs

Reading 1 Esdras helps us understand what ancient Jews and early Christians believed and how they viewed their history. It shows us which stories and ideas were important to them and how they passed these down through generations.

Images for kids

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  The Septuagint: A column of uncial text from 1 Esdras in the Codex Vaticanus, a very old and important Greek Bible manuscript.

See also

In Spanish: I Esdras para niños