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The '''Second Book of Esdras''' (Esdras IV) is found among the books of the [[Septuagint]], and among the books of the Old Testament of the ''[[Vulgate]]''. The core of the book, the "Jewish Apocalypse of Ezra", 2 Esdras 3–14, is canonical scripture in the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Ethiopian Orthodox Church]]. It is not recognized as canonical by Jews, Catholics, Orthodox, or Protestants. It was not included in the canon of scripture by the [[Third Council of Carthage (397)]]. Since the [[Council of Trent]] it is not accepted as inspired and canonical by the [[Catholic Church]] in the ''Catholic Bible''—books of the Bible accepted as divinely inspired by the majority of Christian believers in the United States and throughout the world.<ref>The '''Catholic Church''' is the world's largest [[Christianity|Christian]] body comprised of several distinct [https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm "Rites"]. The [[Catholic Church|Catholic Church (Latin Rite)]] is the largest religious body in the United States, with over 60 million adherents (4 times as large as the second largest church, the Orthodox).<br/>[http://www.pewforum.org/2013/02/13/the-global-catholic-population/ “The Global Catholic Population,” © 2011, Pew Research Center.]<br/>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_romcath.html The Largest Catholic Communities]<br/>

The '''Second Book of Esdras''' (Esdras IV) is found among the books of the [[Septuagint]], and among the books of the Old Testament of the ''[[Vulgate]]''. The core of the book, the "Jewish Apocalypse of Ezra", 2 Esdras 3–14, is canonical scripture in the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church|Ethiopian Orthodox Church]]. It is not recognized as canonical by Jews, Catholics, Orthodox, or Protestants. It was not included in the canon of scripture by the [[Third Council of Carthage (397)]]. Since the [[Council of Trent]] it is not accepted as inspired and canonical by the [[Catholic Church]] in the ''Catholic Bible''—books of the Bible accepted as divinely inspired by the majority of Christian believers in the United States and throughout the world.<ref>The '''Catholic Church''' is the world's largest [[Christianity|Christian]] body comprised of several distinct [https://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/catholic_rites_and_churches.htm "Rites"]. The [[Catholic Church|Catholic Church (Latin Rite)]] is the largest religious body in the United States, with over 60 million adherents (4 times as large as the second largest church, the Orthodox).<br/>[http://www.pewforum.org/2013/02/13/the-global-catholic-population/ “The Global Catholic Population,” © 2011, Pew Research Center.]<br/>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_romcath.html The Largest Catholic Communities]<br/>

The '''Eastern Orthodox Church''', officially called the '''Orthodox Catholic Church''', and also referred to as the '''[[Orthodox Church]]''' and '''Orthodoxy''', is the second largest [[Christianity|Christian church]] in the world, with an estimated 225–300 million adherents, most of whom live in [[Eastern Europe]], the [[Middle East]], and [[Russia]].<br/>{{cite web |last1=Calivas |first1=Rev. Alciviadis C. |title=The Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Church |publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of America |year=1983 |url=http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7061 |accessdate=7 May 2014 |ref=none }}<br/>{{cite web |last1=Fairchild |first1=Mary |title=Christianity:Basics:Eastern Orthodox Church Denomination |publisher=about.com |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/easternorthodoxy/p/orthodoxprofile.htm |accessdate=22 May 2014 |ref=none }}<br/>{{cite web |title=Christianity |work=Major Branches of Religions Ranked by Number of Adherents |publisher=adherents.com |url=http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity |accessdate=22 May 2014 |ref=none }}</ref><ref>See [http://www.888c.com/worldChristianDenominations.htm Percentage of Christians in Protestant Denominations (29.5%)].</ref>

The '''Eastern Orthodox Church''', officially called the '''Orthodox Catholic Church''', and also referred to as the '''[[Orthodox Church]]''' and '''Orthodoxy''', is the second largest [[Christianity|Christian church]] in the world, with an estimated 225–300 million adherents, most of whom live in [[Eastern Europe]], the [[Middle East]], and [[Russia]].<br/>{{cite web |last1=Calivas |first1=Rev. Alciviadis C. |title=The Greek (Eastern) Orthodox Church |publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Of America |year=1983 |url=http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7061 |accessdate=7 May 2014 |ref=none }}<br/>{{cite web |last1=Fairchild |first1=Mary |title=Christianity:Basics:Eastern Orthodox Church Denomination |publisher=about.com |url=http://christianity.about.com/od/easternorthodoxy/p/orthodoxprofile.htm |accessdate=22 May 2014 |ref=none }}<br/>{{cite web |title=Christianity |work=Major Branches of Religions Ranked by Number of Adherents |publisher=adherents.com |url=http://www.adherents.com/adh_branches.html#Christianity |accessdate=22 May 2014 |ref=none }}</ref><ref>See [http://www.888c.com/worldChristianDenominations.htm Percentage of Christians in Protestant Denominations (29.5%)].</ref>

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.

:(4) and (5) two independent Arabic versions;

:(4) and (5) two independent Arabic versions;

:(6) Georgian.

:(6) Georgian.

The Armenian version differs from the others; textual historians have not decided whether it was made from the Syriac or from a separate Greek version. The seven sections of the book have been called "visions" since Volkmar (1863) <ref>Volkmar's view of the book as set forth in his ''Das vierte Buch Esra'', Zürich 1858, was criticised by Hilgenfeld 1858. ''Source''<br/>[https://books.google.com/books?id=R9U3AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA769&lpg=PA769&dq=volkmar+%281863%29&source=bl&ots=gI6mqHCR18&sig=2bINcBQEzwmjNP9flYd0UwnvRKg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a0S7VOP5DoH-ggSXuoOoDQ&ved=0CDEQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=volkmar%20(1863)&f=false William Smith, ''Dr. William Smith's Dictionary of the Bible: Comprising Its Antiquities, Biography, Geography, and Natural History'', Volume 1. Houghton, Mifflin, 1881. Esdras, second book of. page 769a] (Google eBook)</ref>: chapters 1–3 treat chiefly of religious problems; chapters 4–6 consist mainly of eschatological visions; chapter 7 tells of Ezra's literary activity and death.

The Armenian version differs from the others; textual historians have not decided whether it was made from the Syriac or from a separate Greek version. The seven sections of the book have been called "visions" since Volkmar (1863):<ref>Volkmar's view of the book as set forth in his ''Das vierte Buch Esra'', Zürich 1858, was criticised by Hilgenfeld 1858. ''Source''<br/>[https://books.google.com/books?id=R9U3AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA769&lpg=PA769&dq=volkmar+%281863%29&source=bl&ots=gI6mqHCR18&sig=2bINcBQEzwmjNP9flYd0UwnvRKg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=a0S7VOP5DoH-ggSXuoOoDQ&ved=0CDEQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=volkmar%20(1863)&f=false William Smith, ''Dr. William Smith's Dictionary of the Bible: Comprising Its Antiquities, Biography, Geography, and Natural History'', Volume 1. Houghton, Mifflin, 1881. Esdras, second book of. page 769a] (Google eBook)</ref> chapters 1–3 treat chiefly of religious problems; chapters 4–6 consist mainly of eschatological visions; chapter 7 tells of Ezra's literary activity and death.

===Author===

===Author===

The author also shares the view of Eliezer in regard to the return of the Lost Ten Tribes, in opposition to Akiba, that they will take part in the Messianic redemption. However, the very name used by him for the land of the exile of the Ten Tribes, obviously misunderstood by the translator, rests on the same Biblical words referred to by the two tannaim—"ereẓ aḥeret" (another land; Deut. xxix. 27; II Esd. xiii. 45, comp. 40; Sanh. x. 3; see Arzareth).

The author also shares the view of Eliezer in regard to the return of the Lost Ten Tribes, in opposition to Akiba, that they will take part in the Messianic redemption. However, the very name used by him for the land of the exile of the Ten Tribes, obviously misunderstood by the translator, rests on the same Biblical words referred to by the two tannaim—"ereẓ aḥeret" (another land; Deut. xxix. 27; II Esd. xiii. 45, comp. 40; Sanh. x. 3; see Arzareth).

The Messianic era is stated as being 400 years (II Esdras 7:28), based on Psalm 90:15 and Genesis 10:13; (comp. Sanh. 99a; Pesiḳ. R. 1). The apocalyptic sign for the Messianic era, taken from Genesis 25:26, R. V. ("His [Jacob's] hand had hold on Esau's heel"), is especially significant, being interpreted as: "The end of Esau's [Edom's] reign, will form the beginning of Jacob's—that is, the Messiah's—kingdom" (II Esdras 6:8, exactly as in Gen. R. lxiii.; comp. Yalḳ.). Other parallels to rabbinical sayings of the first century are found in Rosenthal, ''Vier Apocryphische Bücher aus der Zeit und Schule R. Akiba's,'' 1885, pp. 39-71. Rosenthal (p. 40) also thinks the five sages, who put into writing the twenty-four canonical and seventy hidden (apocryphal) books dictated by Ezra under divine inspiration during forty days (II Esdras 24:23-46), are an allusion to the work of the five disciples of Johanan ben Zakkai.

The Messianic era is stated as being 400 years (II Esdras 7:28), based on Psalm 90:15 and Genesis 10:13; (comp. Sanh. 99a; Pesiḳ. R. 1). The apocalyptic sign for the Messianic era, taken from Genesis 25:26, R. V. ("His [Jacob's] hand had hold on Esau's heel"), is especially significant, being interpreted as: "The end of Esau's [Edom's] reign, will form the beginning of Jacob's—that is, the Messiah's—kingdom" (II Esdras 6:8, exactly as in Gen. R. lxiii.; comp. Yalḳ.). Other parallels to rabbinical sayings of the first century are found in Rosenthal, ''Vier Apocryphische Bücher aus der Zeit und Schule R. Akiba's,'' 1885, pp.&nbsp;39–71. Rosenthal (p.&nbsp;40) also thinks the five sages, who put into writing the twenty-four canonical and seventy hidden (apocryphal) books dictated by Ezra under divine inspiration during forty days (II Esdras 24:23-46), are an allusion to the work of the five disciples of Johanan ben Zakkai.

===Date and Value===

===Date and Value===

===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.

==External links==

==External links==

[http://www.wmcarey.edu/browning/Classes/HOB/BibleD-OTText.pdf The Old Testament Text. (wmcarey.edu/browning/Classes)]

* [http://www.wmcarey.edu/browning/Classes/HOB/BibleD-OTText.pdf The Old Testament Text. (wmcarey.edu/browning/Classes)]

 

* [http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/2esdras.html Early Jewish Writings: 2 Esdras]

[http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/2esdras.html Early Jewish Writings: 2 Esdras]

* [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5852-esdras-books-of Jewish Encyclopedia: Esdras, books of]

 

* [http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/are-1-and-2-esdras-non-canonical-books Catholic Answers. Quick Questions: Are 1 and 2 Esdras non-canonical books?]

[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/5852-esdras-books-of Jewish Encyclopedia: Esdras, books of]

* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/es2.htm Apocrypha: 2 Esdras (text online)] (sacred-texts.com)<br/>[http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/r/rsv/rsv-idx?type=DIV1&byte=3652195 2 Esdras (4 Esdras) Revised Standard Version] (quod.lib.umich.edu)

 

* [http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/septuagint/default.asp Greek and English Septuagint] <br/> [http://vulgate.org/ Latin and English Vulgate]<br/>[http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Apocrypha-Books/ Kings James Apocrypha Online]

[http://www.catholic.com/quickquestions/are-1-and-2-esdras-non-canonical-books Catholic Answers. Quick Questions: Are 1 and 2 Esdras non-canonical books?]

 

[http://www.sacred-texts.com/bib/apo/es2.htm Apocrypha: 2 Esdras (text online)] (sacred-texts.com)<br/>[http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/r/rsv/rsv-idx?type=DIV1&byte=3652195 2 Esdras (4 Esdras) Revised Standard Version] (quod.lib.umich.edu)

 

[http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/septuagint/default.asp Greek and English Septuagint] <br/> [http://vulgate.org/ Latin and English Vulgate]<br/>[http://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Apocrypha-Books/ Kings James Apocrypha Online]

[[category:Bible]] [[category:apocrypha]]

[[Category:Bible]] [[Category:Apocrypha]]