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The apocryphal book of 2 Esdras is included in many English translations of the Bible. In printed Bibles of the 17th through 18th and 19th centuries, '''II Esdras''' (2 Esdras) was listed as '''IV Esdras''' (4 Esdras), the Book of '''[[Ezra]]''' was called I Esdras (1 Esdras), the Book of '''[[Nehemiah]]''' was called II Esdras (2 Esdras), and [[1 Esdras|I Esdras]] (''not Ezra'') was called III Esdras (3 Esdras), hence this book was designated '''IV Esdras''' (4 Esdras). This has been a source of some confusion for many beginning students of the Bible.

The apocryphal book of 2 Esdras is included in many English translations of the Bible. In printed Bibles of the 17th through 18th and 19th centuries, '''II Esdras''' (2 Esdras) was listed as '''IV Esdras''' (4 Esdras), the Book of '''[[Ezra]]''' was called I Esdras (1 Esdras), the Book of '''[[Nehemiah]]''' was called II Esdras (2 Esdras), and [[1 Esdras|I Esdras]] (''not Ezra'') was called III Esdras (3 Esdras), hence this book was designated '''IV Esdras''' (4 Esdras). This has been a source of some confusion for many beginning students of the Bible.

While [[1 Esdras]] (3 Esdras) is presented as an historical text, '''2 Esdras''' (4 Esdras) is an example of a Jewish apocalypse, similar to parts of the [[Daniel (Biblical book)|Book of Daniel]] and the [[Book of Enoch]], and to Christian works such as the [[Book of Revelation]]. It describes seven visions given to Ezra, three of which come in answer to his questions about human suffering as related to God's justice. Its outlook is profoundly pessimistic. The vast majority of humanity as well as many Jews will be eternally damned. God is unconcerned about the fate of those who do not obey him. Ezra himself is presented as a paragon of righteousness and asceticism, chosen by God to renew the divine word of the sacred scriptures to the chosen people.

While [[1 Esdras]] (3 Esdras) is presented as an historical text, '''2 Esdras''' (4 Esdras) is an example of a Jewish apocalypse, similar to parts of the [[Daniel (Biblical book)|Book of Daniel]] and the [[Book of Enoch]], and to Christian works such as the [[Book of Revelation]]. It describes seven visions given to Ezra, three of which come in answer to his questions about human suffering as related to God's justice. Its outlook is profoundly pessimistic. The vast majority of humanity as well as many Jews will be eternally damned. God is unconcerned about the fate of those who do not obey him. Ezra himself is presented as a paragon of righteousness and [[Ascesis|asceticism]], chosen by God to renew the divine word of the sacred scriptures to the chosen people.

II Esdras was first included in the Apocrypha by Martin Luther in the 16th century.

II Esdras was first included in the Apocrypha by Martin Luther in the 16th century.

The account of Esdras' translation is found only in the Oriental versions, in the Greek text (''it is not included in the current Septuagint Old Testament of the canonical Greek Bible''). In the Latin translation of the text, it was omitted, because chapters 15 and 16 were added.

The account of Esdras' translation is found only in the Oriental versions, in the Greek text (''it is not included in the current Septuagint Old Testament of the canonical Greek Bible''). In the Latin translation of the text, it was omitted, because chapters 15 and 16 were added.

==Historical-grammatical analysis: Historical setting==

==[[Historical-grammatical method (Literal hermeneutic)|Historical-grammatical]] analysis: Historical setting==

The extant text of 2 Esdras states it was written by "Ezra", the name of the great Jewish priest-scribe and leader who primarily established Second Temple Judaic tradition around 400 B.C. after the Babylonian exile. This same author Ezra is also called "Salathiel" in the book, which could make him the father of the exile leader Zerubbabel, rather than Ezra the Scribe, since Zerubbabel is of the line of David, and Ezra the priest-scribe is of the line of Aaron.

The extant text of 2 Esdras states it was written by "Ezra", the name of the great Jewish priest-scribe and leader who primarily established Second Temple Judaic tradition around 400 B.C. after the Babylonian exile. This same author Ezra is also called "Salathiel" in the book, which could make him the father of the exile leader Zerubbabel, rather than Ezra the Scribe, since Zerubbabel is of the line of David, and Ezra the priest-scribe is of the line of Aaron.

===Additions: Christian interpolations===

===Additions: Christian interpolations===

The Greek form of this book in the Septuagint does not have the first two chapters of 2 Esdras which appear in the Latin version of the book. For this reason most scholars hold Chapters 1 and 2 of the Latin and English versions to be of Christian origin (probably second century), because they assert God's rejection of the Jews and speak of the the Messiah in Christian terms: they describe the rejection of the Jews in favor of the Christians in words resembling Christian theological language of the second and third centuries.<blockquote>"I gathered you as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but now, what shall I do to you? I will cast you out from my presence." (1:30) —Compare Matthew 23:37; Luke13:34; Deuteronomy 32:10-18.</blockquote>

The Greek form of this book in the Septuagint does not have the first two chapters of 2 Esdras which appear in the Latin version of the book. For this reason most scholars hold Chapters 1 and 2 of the Latin and English versions to be of Christian origin (probably second century), because they assert God's rejection of the Jews and speak of the Messiah in Christian terms: they describe the rejection of the Jews in favor of the Christians in words resembling Christian theological language of the second and third centuries.<blockquote>"I gathered you as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but now, what shall I do to you? I will cast you out from my presence." (1:30) —Compare Matthew 23:37; Luke13:34; Deuteronomy 32:10-18.</blockquote>

This section also contains a vision of the Messiah as the Son of God who ministers to the martyred saints in heaven:<blockquote>"Then I said to the angel, 'Who is that young man who places crowns on them and puts palms in their hands?' He answered and said to me, 'He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world.'" (2:46-47) —Compare Revelation 6:9-11; Daniel 7:13-14, 27.</blockquote>Because of their apparently Christian character, many scholars and students of the Bible regard these first two chapters as late second or third century Christian additions to the work.

This section also contains a vision of the Messiah as the Son of God who ministers to the martyred saints in heaven:<blockquote>"Then I said to the angel, 'Who is that young man who places crowns on them and puts palms in their hands?' He answered and said to me, 'He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world.'" (2:46-47) —Compare Revelation 6:9-11; Daniel 7:13-14, 27.</blockquote>Because of their apparently Christian character, many scholars and students of the Bible regard these first two chapters as late second or third century Christian additions to the work.