2 Esdras facts for kids

2 Esdras is a special book found in many English versions of the Bible. It's known as a Deuterocanonical book. This means it's part of the Christian Old Testament, but it's not included in the main Jewish Bible. The original version of this book, written in Hebrew, has been lost over time. However, we know about it because copies were made in other languages.

What is 2 Esdras?

2 Esdras is a book that tells stories and visions, much like other apocalyptic books in the Bible. It's sometimes called the Apocalypse of Ezra because it describes visions given to a person named Ezra. These visions often talk about the future, the end of the world, and God's plans for humanity.

Visions and Messages

The book is famous for its detailed visions. One well-known vision describes a triple-headed eagle. This eagle is often thought to represent different empires or kingdoms. Another vision features a lion, which is also a symbol with a special meaning. These visions are like puzzles that readers try to solve to understand the messages about history and the future.

Ezra's Role

In the book, Ezra is shown as a wise and thoughtful person. He asks God important questions about why bad things happen and when the world will get better. He also worries about the future of his people. The book shares God's answers to Ezra's questions, which often bring comfort and hope. Ezra is also said to have rewritten many holy books that were lost.

Why is it Deuterocanonical?

The term Deuterocanonical means "second canon." These books were accepted into the Christian Old Testament by some early Christian groups, but not by others. They are different from the books that are part of the main Jewish Bible. This is why you might find 2 Esdras in some Bibles, like the King James Version, but not in others.

Different Names

The book of 2 Esdras has been known by a few different names throughout history. Sometimes it's called 4 Ezra, especially in older texts. This can be a bit confusing, but it's the same book. The different names come from how various ancient collections of books were put together.

Images for kids

• 

  Illustration of the triple-headed eagle from Ezra's vision (head-piece from Bowyer Bible, Apocrypha, 1815)

• 

  A medieval stained-glass panel depicting the Archangel Uriel with Ezra.

• 

  Ezra produces the ninety-four books (Codex Amiatinus, 8th century)

See also

In Spanish: Apocalipsis de Esdras para niños