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1 INTRODUCTION TO the Student Study Bi B le The ESV StudEnt Study BiBlE The ESV Student Study Bible is ideally suited for students who are serious about God s Word who want to learn more about what the Bible teaches and how the Bible applies to all of life. With 16, clear, concise study notes, the ESV Student Study Bible provides numerous new features including 1, Did You Know? facts, more than 1 new Bible character profiles, and 15 new topical articles. It also features a new glossary of key terms, more than 8 full-color maps and illustrations, an extensive concordance, and 8, cross-references. These and many other features make it the most comprehensive, colorful, and content-rich student Bible available today. Suited to high school and college students, the ESV Student Study Bible is also a versatile resource for anyone engaged in serious study of God s Word. Created by an outstanding team of more than 1 evangelical Christian scholars, teachers, and pastors, the ESV Student Study Bible is adapted from the highly acclaimed and best-selling ESV Study Bible. With numerous new features, the ESV Student Study Bible is an invaluable resource. For high school and college students, but equally for all students of the Bible for everyone who loves to read and learn more about God s Word. FeATUReS OF The ESV StudEnt Study BiBlE INCLUDe: Size 6" x 9" 8.5-point type 1,92 pages 16, clear, concise study notes Introductions and timelines for each Bible book More than 8 full-color maps and illustrations throughout 15 new topical articles 1, new Did You Know facts 1 new Bible character profiles New glossary with concise definitions of key terms 8, cross-references Black letter text Highly readable, double-column format Smyth-sewn binding Lifetime guarantee on TruTone editions Free access to the online ESV Student Study Bible with the purchase of any print edition For further information, visit

2 sample Pages and Features Pages shown at 9% of actual size Ezra 6:4 58 offered, and let its foundations be retained. Its height shall be sixty cubits1 and its breadth sixty cubits, 4v with three layers of great stones and one layer of timber. Let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. 5 And also w let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place. You shall put them in the house of God. 6 Now therefore, x Tattenai, governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, y and your2 associates the governors who are in the province Beyond the River, keep away. 7 Let the work on this house of God alone. Let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews rebuild this house of God on its site. 8 Moreover, z I make a decree esv Bible regarding text what you shall do for these elders of the The ESV s word-for-word Jews the accuracy, rebuilding of this house of God. The clear readability, cost and is to literary be paid to these men in full and without excellence make delay it the from ideal the choice royal revenue, the tribute of the for careful, in-depth province study. from Beyond the River. 9 And whatever is needed bulls, rams, or sheep for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, or oil, as the priests at Jerusalem require let that be given to them day by day without fail, 1 that they may offer pleasing sacrifices to the God of heaven a and did you know? pray for the life of the king and his sons. 11 Also I 1, Did You make Know? a decree boxes that explain if anyone alters this edict, a important themes beam and shall facts. be pulled out of his house, and he shall be impaled on it, and b his house shall be made a dunghill. 12 May the God c who has caused his name 1 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters 2 Aramaic their to dwell there overthrow any king or people who shall put out a hand to alter this, or to destroy this house of God that is in Jerusalem. I Darius make a decree; let it be done with all diligence. The Temple Finished and Dedicated 13 Then, according to the word sent by Darius the king, x Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and their associates did with all diligence what Darius the king had ordered. 14 d And the elders of the Jews built and prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. They finished their building by decree of the God of Israel and e by decree of Cyrus and f Darius and g Artaxerxes king of Persia; 15 and this house was finished on the third day of the h month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16 And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the i dedication of this house of God with joy. 17 They offered at the dedication of this house of God 1 bulls, 2 rams, 4 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel j 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. 18 And they set the priests k in their divisions and the Levites l in their divisions, for the service of God at Jerusalem, m as it is written in the Book of Moses. Passover Celebrated 19 n On the fourteenth day of the first month, the returned exiles kept the Passover. 2o For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves together; DiD You Know? How long did it take to rebuild the temple? The Jews returning from exile faced many obstacles in rebuilding the temple. The non-jewish people now living in the land resisted their efforts, and the returned exiles often lacked the motivation to work. The temple took 2 years to complete, and it fell far short of the grandeur of Solomon s temple. 6:4 Using three layers of great stones and one layer of timber follows the construction of the older temple (1 Kings 6:36; 7:12). While the original decree had required people in Babylon to help pay for the project (Ezra 1:4), this record requires that the cost be met from the royal treasury. 6:7 Governor of the Jews refers to Zerubbabel (compare Hag. 1:1). What became of the first governor, Sheshbazzar, is not known. 6:8 1 Darius confirms Cyrus s decree and also provides for costs Cross references from taxes raised in the province Beyond the River itself (v. 8). He also provides materials for sacrifices (v. 9), with the political condition More than 8, that the cross-references Jews would pray for the life of the king and his sons (v. 1). provide an easy Darius s way generosity to trace was part of his plan for maintaining Persian power. important words, 6:11 12 characters, Darius makes a further decree, backed up with a typical and themes through threat. He Scripture. borrows language from the Israelite way of speaking about God s presence in Jerusalem (the God who has caused his name to dwell there, compare Deut. 12:5). This does not necessarily mean that Darius believes in the one true God (compare note on Ezra 1:3 4). 6:14 God, speaking here through his prophets, is the real power behind events. But the actions of the Persian kings on behalf of the Jews are also acknowledged. 6:15 The month of Adar (February/March) was the last month of the year. The sixth year of the reign of Darius was 515 b.c., almost exactly 7 years after the destruction of the first temple (586), fulfilling the prophecy of 7 years of exile (see note on 1:1). 6:16 17 the people of Israel. Even though the returned exiles consisted of only three tribes (see note on 1:5), they represent all 12, the number of the tribes of Israel. The other divisions, the priests and the Levites and the laity, are a typical way of describing the whole community in Ezra. with joy. The Lord had fulfilled his prophecies and answered his people s prayers. There is spontaneous joy when God s people see evidence that he is working in the world. The dedication of this house follows its completion. 6:18 The priests and Levites are set in their divisions, grouped according to their temple duties, as King David had done (1 Chronicles 23 27). 6:19 22 The text returns from Aramaic to Hebrew in v. 19 (see note on 4:7 8). The Passover is kept on its appointed date, fol- 4 v 1 Kgs. 6:36 5 w ch. 1:7, 8; 5:14 6 x ch. 5:3, 6 y ch. 5:6 8 z ch. 7:13, 21 1 a Jer. 29:7; [1 Tim. 2:2] 11 b Dan. 2:5; 3:29 12 c 1 Kgs. 9:3 13 x [See ver. 6 above] 14 d ch. 5:1, 2 e ver. 3; ch. 1:1; 5:13 f ver. 12; [ch. 4:24] g ch. 7:1 15 h Esth. 3:7 16 i 1 Kgs. 8:63; 2 Chr. 7:5 17 j [ch. 8:35] 18 k 1 Chr. 24:1; 2 Chr. 35:5 l 1 Chr. 23:6 m Num. 3:6; 8:9 19 n Ex. 12:6 2 o 2 Chr. 3:15

3 This spread shows actual pages from the book of Ezra. For the full size and format of the ESV Student Study Bible, see the pages from Mark, beginning on page 11. all of them were clean. p So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. 21 It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and q also by every one who had joined them and separated himself r from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread s seven days with joy, for the Lord had made them joyful t and had turned the heart of u the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel. Ezra Sent to Teach the People 7 Now after this, v in the reign of v Artaxerxes king of Persia, w Ezra the son of Seraiah, son of Azariah, son of Hilkiah, 2 son of Shallum, son of Zadok, son of Ahitub, 3 son of Amariah, son of Azariah, son of Meraioth, 4 son of Zerahiah, son of Uzzi, son of Bukki, 5 son of Abishua, son of Phinehas, son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the chief priest 6 this Ezra went up from Babylonia. He was 1 Aramaic he 581 Ezra 7:12 a scribe x skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given, and the king granted him all that he asked, y for the hand of the Lord his God was on him. 7 And there went up also to Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king, some of the people of Israel, and z some of the priests and a Levites, the singers and gatekeepers, and the temple b servants. 8 And Ezra1 came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia, and on the first day of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, c for the good hand of his God was on him. 1 For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it d and to e teach his statutes and rules in Israel. Character Profiles 11 This is a copy of the letter 1 that profiles King highlight Artaxerxes the major gave to Ezra the priest, the scribe, characters a man of the learned Bible. in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel: 12 Artaxerxes, f king of kings, to lowed immediately by the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which lasts for seven days (see Lev. 23:5 6). Participating are the people of Israel and the people of the land who had joined them (see note on Ezra 6:21). Persia s king now ruled over the territorial empire of the Assyrians, so he could be called king of Assyria. 6:21 Remarkably, the returning Jews are joined by every one who had... separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the Lord. The community was based on faith rather than on ancestry. Non-Israelites who expressed faith in God and a willingness to follow his law were welcome. 7:1 8:36 Ezra the Priest Comes to Jerusalem to Establish the Law of Moses. The text now skips ahead 57 years (see note on 7:1 7). Ezra the scribe is charged by King Artaxerxes to establish the Law of Moses in Jerusalem. This section tells of Ezra s commission, his journey, and his companions. 7:1 28 King Artaxerxes Gives Ezra Authority to Establish the Mosaic Law. Artaxerxes gives Ezra the authority to establish the Mosaic law in Judah, to appoint officials to administer the law, and to provide for the further adornment of the temple. 7:1 7 Ezra is introduced first as a priest, in the line of Aaron the chief priest. He comes to Jerusalem in the seventh year, that is, in 458 b.c., 57 years after the temple dedication. 7:6 7 Ezra is a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. The people badly need instruction in the law. Ezra has apparently asked the king for permission and resources to go to Jerusalem (v. 7). Artaxerxes grants Ezra all that he needs, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him (see note on 1:1). Ezra comes to Judah with a new wave of immigrants. Kings of Persia Mentioned in Ezra Nehemiah Cyrus b.c. Darius I Xerxes (Ahasuerus) Artaxerxes I Profile: ezra Ezra is described as a man learned in matters of the commandments of the Lord and his statutes for Israel (7:11). Both a priest and scribe, Ezra was commissioned by King Artaxerxes of Persia to establish the Law of Moses in Jerusalem. The king also gave him money from the royal treasury to beautify the temple. Arriving in Jerusalem 57 years after the temple was rebuilt, Ezra appointed judges to administer the law. Seventy years of Babylonian exile had had a negative effect on the people s relationship with the Lord. The Lord enabled Ezra to guide Israel as they sought once again to live according to the law. Key reference: EZRA 7:1 6 7:9 the first month... the fifth month. The journey of 9 miles (1,448 km) from Babylon to Jerusalem took nearly four months. This was a slow pace, probably because the caravan included children and elderly people. notes 7:1 Ezra s mission was to teach God s Adapted statutes from and the rules. ESV These Study Bible, appear throughout Exodus to Deuteronomy, these notes especially give in detailed Exodus insights 2 23, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy and concise explanation. 7:11 Artaxerxes decree is in a letter in Aramaic (see note on 4:7 8) addressed to Ezra. 7:12 The title king of kings was used by Persia s kings. It expresses their sovereignty over many conquered peoples. Ezra is called the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. This may refer to a responsibility he had in Babylon, even before returning to Jerusalem. 2 p 2 Chr. 35:11 21 q Neh. 9:2; 1:28; [ch. 9:1] r ch. 9:11 22 s Ex. 12:15; 13:6; 2 Chr. 3:21; 35:17 t ch. 7:27; [Prov. 21:1] u [Neh. 13:6] Chapter Charts 7 1 v Neh. 2:1 w For ver. 1-5, see 1 Chr. 6: x ver. 11, 12, 21; Neh. 8:1-3, 13; 12:26, 36 y ver. 9, 28; ch. 8:18, 22, 31; Neh. 2:8, 18; [ch. 5:5] 7 z See ch. 8:1-14 a ch. 8:15-19 Charts b ch. 8:17, 2; summarize [ch. 2:43] 9 c See important ver. 6 people, 1 d ver. 25; [Deut. 33:1] e [2 Chr. 17:7; Mal. 2:7; places, Matt. 23:2, events, 3]; See Neh. and 8:1-8 doctrinal truths. 12 f Ezek. 26:7; Dan. 2:37

4 sample Pages and Features Page shown at 9% of actual size 139 Herod s Temple in THe Time of Jesus Herod began construction of this magnificent temple in 2/19 b.c., during the 18th year of his reign. The main construction phase was completed within about a decade. Detailed descriptions of the temple exist in Josephus ( Jewish Antiquities ; Jewish War illustrations ) and in early rabbinic writings (esp. Mishnah, Middot). The Roman army under Titus destroyed the temple during the capture of Full-color, historically Jerusalem accurate in a.d. 7. The temple was 172 feet (52 m) long, wide, and illustrations bring high insight (about and 16 to 2 stories tall). understanding to biblical sites and structures ft m There was an upper chamber above the sanctuary, which allowed access (through holes in the floor) for cleaning of the gold-covered walls below. A ladder (shown partly cut away in this section) gave access to the upper roof level. The inner sanctuary was surrounded on three sides by three stories of chambers, containing 38 cells that housed supplies and vessels for the ritual ceremonies. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to offer incense and sprinkle blood. Josephus reports that this room was empty, although the original emplacement of the Ark of the Covenant in the Foundation Stone was still visible. A massive curtain separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. When Jesus died, this curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). The Holy Place contained the lampstand, the table for the bread of the Presence, and the altar of incense. An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah on the right side of the incense altar (Luke 1:11).

5 These composite pages have been compiled to display the main features and page layout of the ESV Student Study Bible, and are adapted from the actual pages of Luke 2, the introduction to Genesis, and the topical articles. For the full size and format of the ESV Student Study Bible, see the pages from Mark, beginning on page 11. Bible Production:Student Study Bible:interior:2nd proof:1.genesis Bible Production:Student Study Bible:interior:2nd proof:1.genesis INTRODUC TION TO G e N e sis outline I n t r o d u c t I o n to Creation Genesis c. 291 b.c b.c b.c. Call of Abraham Israel goes to Egypt Exodus from Egypt I. Primeval History (1:1 11:26) A. B. C. D. E. F. Book introductions A complete introduction to each Bible book explains its author, background, setting, major themes, and timeline. God s creation and ordering of heaven and earth (1:1 2:3) Earth s first people (2:4 4:26) Adam s descendants (5:1 6:8) Noah s descendants (6:9 9:29) The descendants of Noah s sons (1:1 11:9) Shem s descendants (11:1 26) II. Patriarchal History (11:27 5:26) A. Terah s descendants (11:27 25:18) B. Isaac s descendants (25:19 37:1) C. Jacob s descendants (37:2 5:26) Author, DAte, AnD recipients map: the near east At the time of Genesis Traditionally, Moses is believed to have been the author of Genesis and the rest of the Pentateuch (see Num. 33:2; Deut. 31:24; John 5:46). Of course, Moses lived several centuries later than the events of Genesis. Presumably, stories were passed on about those earlier events. The first audience would have been the Israelites Moses led through the wilderness. For readers today, Genesis is an essential introduction to the rest of the Bible. Ca s B l a ck Sea pia ea H I TTI TES ns A RA RAT Hattusha Kanesh theme The theme of Genesis is creation, sin, and re-creation. God created the world as very good, but it was destroyed in the flood as a result of man s disobedience. The new world after the flood was also spoiled by human sin (ch. 11). God chose Abraham for a special purpose. Through his family, all nations would be blessed (12:1 3). God s purpose will eventually be fulfilled through Abraham s descendants (ch. 49). Carchemish Aleppo Ugarit Me t ra 1. The Lord God commissions human beings to be his representatives on earth. They are to take care of the earth and govern the other creatures (1:1 2:25). ne an Zoan Byblos Tyre Se a Mari M A RI Damascus Shechem Hebron ARABIAN DESERT iv ea Thebes ds er Ur Persian Gulf Dumah Re 3. God graciously announces that Eve s offspring will free humanity from the serpent s control (3:15). Genesis then begins tracing the history of one family that will become the people of Israel. This family has a special relationship with God and will become a source of blessing to fallen humanity (12:1 3). Nile R Memphis E LA M Babylon Susa Euphrates River BA BYLO NI A EGYPT 2. Instead of acting as God s representatives on earth, the first man and woman Adam and Eve listen to the serpent and follow his advice. Their disobedience has devastating results for all mankind and for the entire created world (3:1 24; 6:5 6). Rages A SSYRI A Hamath di er Key themes Tigris River Nineveh Haran c. 2 b.c. The book of Genesis describes events in the ancient Near East from the beginnings of civilization to the relocation of Jacob s (Israel s) family in Egypt. The stories of Genesis are set among some of the oldest nations in the world, including Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and Elam. Tema Dedan mi 4 km 4. As a result of Adam s disobedience, his unique relationship with the ground degenerates, resulting in hard work and even flood and famine. But the special family descending from Adam also brings relief from the difficulties (3:17 19; 5:29; 5:19 21). 5. While Eve s punishment centers on pain in bearing children (3:16), women play an essential role in continuing the unique family line. With God s help, even barrenness is overcome (11:3; 21:1 7; 25:21; 38:1 3). Miles The corruption of human nature causes families to be torn apart (4:1 16; 13:5 8; 25:22 23; 27:41 45; 37:2 35). Although Genesis shows the reality of family conflicts, individual members of the family can also help Km chosen resolve those conflicts (13:8 11; 33:1 11; 45:1 28; 5:15 21). 7. The wicked are exiled from Eden and scattered throughout the earth (3:22 24; 4:12 16; 11:9), but God is kind to his chosen people and promises them a land of their own (12:1 2, 7; 15:7 21; 28:13 14; 5:24). 8. God is prepared to destroy almost the entire human race because of its corruption (6:7, 11 12; 18:17 33), but he still wants his world to be populated by righteous people (1:28; 9:1; 15:1 5; 35:11). 5 6 Miles 8 9 Km Maps Full-color maps provide helpful background and geographical information. 2 articles 15 topical articles unpack the important doctrines of the Bible and Christian faith. Pages shown at 4% of actual size /28/11 11:54 AM ESVSSB_Sampler_final.indd 9 3/25/11 3:45 PM