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Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Bible Study Notes and Comments

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Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Bible Study Notes and Comments Commentary on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Bible Study Notes and Comments by David E. Pratte Available in print at www.gospelway.com/sales Commentary on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther: Bible Study Notes and Comments © Copyright David E. Pratte, 2009, 2013 (minor revisions, 2016) All rights reserved ISBN-13: 978-1494819965 ISBN-10: 1494819961 Note carefully: No teaching in any of our materials is intended or should ever be construed to justify or to in any way incite or encourage personal vengeance or physical violence against any person. Front page photo Statue of two-headed bull from ancient Persia in the time of King Xerxes (housed in the Oriental Institute). Xerxes is the Greek name for Ahasuerus who married Esther. Other Acknowledgements Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (MLV) are from Modern Literal Version of The New Testament, Copyright 1999 by G. Allen Walker. Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 by the Division of Christian Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the New International Version of the Holy Bible, copyright 1978 by Zondervan Bible publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Page #2 Other Books by the Author Topical Bible Studies Growing a Godly Marriage & Raising Godly Children Why Believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible? (evidences) The God of the Bible (study of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Grace, Faith, and Obedience: The Gospel or Calvinism? Kingdom of Christ: Future Millennium or Present Spiritual Reign? Do Not Sin Against the Child: Abortion, Unborn Life, & the Bible True Words of God: Bible Inspiration and Preservation Commentaries on Bible Books Genesis Gospel of Mark Joshua and Ruth Gospel of John Judges Acts 1 Samuel Romans Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Ephesians Job Philippians and Colossians Proverbs Hebrews 1 & 2 Peter Bible Question Class Books Genesis Gospel of John Joshua and Ruth Acts Judges Romans 1 Samuel 1 Corinthians Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther 2 Corinthians and Galatians Job Ephesians and Philippians Proverbs Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians Ecclesiastes 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Isaiah Hebrews Gospel of Matthew General Epistles (James – Jude) Gospel of Mark Revelation Gospel of Luke Workbooks with Study Notes Jesus Is Lord: Workbook on the Fundamentals of the Gospel of Christ Following Jesus: Workbook on Discipleship God’s Eternal Purpose in Christ: Workbook on the Theme of the Bible Visit our website at www.gospelway.com/sales to see a current list of books in print. Page #3 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Other Resources from the Author Printed books, booklets, and tracts available at www.gospelway.com/sales Free Bible study articles online at www.gospelway.com Free Bible courses online at www.biblestudylessons.com Free class books at www.biblestudylessons.com/classbooks Free commentaries on Bible books at www.gospelway.com/commentary Contact the author at www.gospelway.com/comments Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Page #4 Table of Contents Introduction to the Book of Ezra .................................................... 7 Ezra Chapter 1 ............................................................................... 12 Ezra Chapter 2 .............................................................................. 15 Ezra Chapter 3............................................................................... 17 Ezra Chapter 4 .............................................................................. 21 Ezra Chapter 5 ............................................................................... 27 Ezra Chapter 6 .............................................................................. 32 Ezra Chapter 7 ............................................................................... 36 Ezra Chapter 8 .............................................................................. 40 Ezra Chapter 9 .............................................................................. 44 Ezra Chapter 10 ............................................................................. 48 Introduction to the Book of Nehemiah ......................................... 54 Nehemiah Chapter 1 ...................................................................... 58 Nehemiah Chapter 2 ..................................................................... 63 Nehemiah Chapter 3 ..................................................................... 70 Nehemiah Chapter 4 ..................................................................... 71 Nehemiah Chapter 5 .................................................................... 80 Nehemiah Chapter 6 .....................................................................88 Nehemiah Chapter 7 ..................................................................... 98 Nehemiah Chapter 8 ................................................................... 100 Nehemiah Chapter 9 ................................................................... 105 Nehemiah Chapter 10 .................................................................. 113 Nehemiah Chapter 11 ................................................................... 118 Nehemiah Chapter 12 ................................................................... 121 Nehemiah Chapter 13 .................................................................. 125 Introduction to the Book of Esther ............................................. 135 Esther Chapter 1 .......................................................................... 137 Esther Chapter 2 .......................................................................... 141 Esther Chapter 3 ......................................................................... 146 Esther Chapter 4 ......................................................................... 152 Esther Chapter 5 ......................................................................... 160 Esther Chapter 6 ......................................................................... 165 Esther Chapter 7 ......................................................................... 170 Esther Chapter 8 ......................................................................... 176 Esther Chapter 9 .......................................................................... 181 Esther Chapter 10 ....................................................................... 187 (Due to printer reformatting, the above numbers may be off a page or two.) Page #5 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Notes to the Reader To save space and for other reasons, I have chosen not to include the Bible text in these notes (please use your Bible to follow along). When I do quote a Scripture, I generally quote the New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated. Often – especially when I do not use quotations marks – I am not quoting any translation but simply paraphrasing the passage in my own words. Also, when I ask the reader to refer to a map, please consult the maps at the back of your Bible or in a Bible dictionary. You can find study questions to accompany these notes at www.gospelway.com/sales To join our mailing list to be informed of new books or special sales, contact the author at www.gospelway.com/comments Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah, & Esther Page #6 Introductory Thoughts about Commentaries Only the Scriptures provide an infallible, authoritatively inspired revelation of God’s will for man (2 Timothy 3:16,17). It follows that this commentary, like all commentaries, was written by an uninspired, fallible human. It is the author’s effort to share his insights about God’s word for the purpose of instructing and edifying others in the knowledge and wisdom found in Scripture. It is simply another form of teaching, like public preaching, Bible class teaching, etc., except in written form (like tracts, Bible class literature, etc.). Nehemiah 8:8; Ephesians 4:15,16; Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:12-14; 5:12-14; 10:23-25; Romans 10:17; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:4; 2 Timothy 2:2,24-26; 4:2-4; 1 Peter 3:15. It follows that the student must read any commentary with discernment, realizing that any fallible teacher may err, whether he is teaching orally or in writing. So, the student must compare all spiritual teaching to the truth of God’s word (Acts 17:11). It may be wise to read several commentaries to consider alternative views on difficult points. But it is especially important to consider the reasons or evidence each author gives for his views, then compare them to the Bible. For these reasons, the author urges the reader to always consider my comments in light of Scripture. Accept what I say only if you find that it harmonizes with God’s word. And please do not cite my writings as authority, as though people should accept anything I say as authoritative. Always let the Bible be your authority. “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord” – 1 Corinthians 1:31 Page #7 Study Notes on Ezra, Nehemiah,
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