Introduction. I. A Brief Overview of Ezra-Nehemiah ; II. The Persian Empire (539-332 BCE) ; III. Judah and the Judeans in the Persian Period ; IV. Sources and Composition ; V. The Unity of Ezra-Nehemiah ; VI. The Theology of Ezra-Nehemiah ; VII. A History of Interpretation ; VIII. A Guide to the Commentary
Notes and Comments. I. "To Build the House of YHWH" : the Call and the Agenda of the Book (1:1-11). A. The Commissioning : God's Command and Cyrus Decree (1:1-4) ; B. The People's Response (1:5-6) ; C. The Reclamation of the Temple Vessels (1:7-11)
II. The List of Builders (2:1-70). A. Introduction and the List of Leaders (2:1-2a) ; B. The List of Israelites (2:2b-35) ; C. The Priests (2:36-39) ; D. Other Cult Personnel (2:40-58) ; E. Cases of the Undocumented (2:59-63) ; F. Summary, Conclusion, and Arrival (2:64-70)
III. Building YHWH's House, Stage One: The Temple (3:1-6:22). A. Beginning of the Work : Restoring the Altar and Cult and Founding the Temple (3:1-13) ; B. The Obstacle : Outsiders Impede Rebuilding the Temple (4:1-24) ; C. Obstacles Overcome : Successful Rebuilding of the Temple (5:1-6:18) ; D. Celebrating the Conclusion of Stage One : Passover/Festival of the Unleavened Bread (6:19-22)
IV. Building YHWH's House, Stage Two: The People (7:1-10:44). A. Introduction of Protagonists and Mission (7:1-8:14) ; B. Initial Implementation of the Task (8:15-36) ; C. The Obstacle : Marriages with the Peoples of the Lands (9:1-15) ; D. The Obstacle Overcome : the Community Resolves to Separate from Foreign Wives and Prohibit Exogamy (10:1-44).