Ezra

a man of Judah (1 Chron. iv: 17). Also the head of one of the 22 courses of priests who returned from captivity along with Zerubbabel, the civil governor of the exiles, and Jeshua, their high geet Neh. xii: 2). He is called in Neh. 2 Azariah. Also the celebrated scribe and priest who in the year B. c. 459 led the second expedition of Jews from Babylon to Palestine. He was descended from Phineas, the son Aaron, and was probably the great-grandson of Seraiah, whose execution is recorded (II Kings 25: 18-21). His pedigree would give him a position of influence with the Jews in Babylon, and Joseph us says he was their High Priest. It is not stated in the Bible how he obtained influence with the Persian king Artaxerxes Long i man us, but he was evidently in high repute in the court of that monarch. He was intrusted by the king with a large sum of money and treasure with which to convey his expedition to Palestine and rebuild the Temple. On his arrival, he commenced a religious and social reformation.