BIBL 4306 Joshua-Esther

Reading Assignments: Week 5

Extended Readings

• Webb, Barry G. “Introduction to Esther.” ESV Study Bible , 849-852 (4 pages)
• The biblical text of Esther
• McConville, J. Gordon. “Introduction to Ezra.” ESV Study Bible , 799-803 (5 pages)
• The biblical text of Ezra
• Make sure you read the ESV Study Bible notes for Ezra 4:6-23.  This section can be confusing as the author did a flash forward, thus confusing the chronology of events for the unsuspecting.  Logos 4 users may find additional help in the Bible Knowledge Commentary, and Logos 5 users in the Holman Bible Handbook.
• McConville, J. Gordon. “Introduction to Nehemiah.” ESV Study Bible, 821-823 (3 pages)
• Tthe biblical text of Nehemiah

Short Readings (charts, maps, PowerPoint)

• Read the information about the Cyrus Cylinder at the top of the Week 5 section of the course website
• Read the chart: The Babylonian Era (605-539 BC) (1 page), which can be accessed here
• Read the chart: The Period of the Restoration (539-432 BC) (1 page), which can be accessed here
• Read the chart "Chronology of the Persian Period" in Walton (1 page)
• Read the chart: The Contents of Esther (1 page), which can be accessed here
• Read the chart: Structure of the Book of Esther (1 page), which can be accessed here
• Read the chart: The Contents and Chronology of Ezra (1 page), which can be accessed here
• Read the chart "Returns from Exile" in Walton (1 page)
• Read the chart "Chronological Sequence in the Book of Ezra" in Walton (1 page)
• Read the chart: The Contents and Chronology of Nehemiah (1 page), which can be accessed here
• Read the chart: How Nehemiah Used Prayer  (1 page), which can be accessed here

Supplemental Reading: Students who need or desire further explanation of details in a particular text are encouraged to consult the following:

• ESV Study Bible notes for the passage
• For Logos 4 users: Smith, James E. The Books of History; John A. Martin's comments on Esther or Ezra or Gene A. Getz's comments on Nehemiah in Bible Knowledge Commentary; Richards, Larry. The Bible Reader's Companion
• For Logos 5 users: Mathews, Kenneth A. "The Historical Books" in Holman Bible Handbook; Mathews, Kenneth A. "The Historical Books" in Holman Concise Bible Commentary; Wiersbe, Warren. Bible Exposition Commentary