Esdras

Esdras is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Ezra, and generally refers to biblical and apocryphal texts associated with the figure of Ezra, a Jewish scribe and priest who led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem from Babylon in the 5th century BCE. This name is applied to several different works, depending on the religious tradition.

Specifically, “Esdras” may refer to:

• Ezra-Nehemiah (in the Hebrew Bible): This combined book tells of the return of the Jewish people from exile, the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the efforts of Ezra and Nehemiah to reform Jewish religious practices and governance. In some traditions, especially older ones, these are counted as separate books of Ezra and Nehemiah.

• 1 Esdras (in the Septuagint and some versions of the Old Testament Apocrypha): This is a Greek version of portions of the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and 2 Chronicles. It recounts events from the reign of Josiah to Ezra's reading of the Law. Its canonical status varies among different Christian denominations. It is considered canonical in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

• 2 Esdras (also known as 4 Ezra, or Latin Esdras in some traditions, and also known as the Apocalypse of Ezra): This is an apocalyptic text that is part of the Old Testament Apocrypha for some Christian denominations. It contains visions and prophecies attributed to Ezra, dealing with themes of suffering, justice, and the end times. It is often found in appendices to the Vulgate and is part of the canon of some Slavic Bibles.

• Other Apocryphal Works: There are other lesser-known works attributed to Ezra or Esdras, but these are less frequently discussed.

The term "Esdras" is often used to distinguish between different versions and texts related to the figure of Ezra across various biblical canons and traditions. Therefore, context is crucial when interpreting references to "Esdras."