This book is a study of the different issues in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah from the perspective of ethno-symbolism. There is a view that the issues embedded in these books were chiefly shaped by the political factors of the given period, whereas some would think that the socio-economic or religious factors mainly moulded the different issues in these books. Without denying the roles of the mentioned factors, this book takes the ethnic identity consciousness of the early postexilic Israel as the main factor that chiefly shaped the life of the people of Israel and the whole process of the composition of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. It is observed that the accessible resources in the political, socio-economic and religio-cultural life were selectively, situationally and subjectively utilized to form and stabilize the ethnic identity of the early postexilic Israel. It is also maintained that while the different issues were employed specifically in moulding the people of Israel, there are certain inclusive and liberative aspects that shaped these books and their narratives.

Contents

Foreword
Preface
Abbreviations

Chapter 1: General Introduction
1. The Problem
2. Research Questions
3. Importance of the Study
4. Method of Study
5. Previous Research
6. Scope and Limitation
7. Chapter Outline

Chapter 2: Political, Socio-Economic and Religio-Cultural Context of the Early Postexilic Israel
1. Introduction
2. Political Context
3. Socio-Economic Context
4. Religio-Cultural Context
5. Conclusion

Chapter 3: Political and Socio-Historical Milieu of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah
1. Introduction
2. Political Milieu of the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah
3. Sources
4. Composition
5. Structure
6. Date
7. Authorship
8. The Relationship between Ezra and Nehemiah
9. Issues on the Chronological Order of Ezra and Nehemiah
10. The Relationship between the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah and the Chronicler’s History
11. Conclusion

Chapter 4: Ethnic Identity of the Early Postexilic Israel in the Book of Ezra
1. Introduction
2. The Edict of Cyrus and the Return of the People of Israel in Ezra 1:1-8
3. The Rebuilding of the Altar, the Celebration of the Festival of Booths and the Resumption of the Sacrifices in Ezra 3:1-6
4. The Rejection of Others from the Rebuilding of the Temple and the Reaction of their Opponents in Ezra 4:1-7
5. The Completion and Dedication of the Temple, and the Celebration of the Festivals of Passover and the Unleavened Bread in Ezra 6:13-22
6. Ezra’s Reaction to the Practice of Mixed Marriage in Ezra 9:1-5
7. Major Findings of the Exegetical Study
8. Concluding Remarks

Chapter 5: Ethnic Identity of the Early Postexilic Israel in the Book of Nehemiah
1. Introduction
2. Nehemiah’s Prayer and His Identity as a Cupbearer to the King in Neh 1:4-11
3. The Reconstruction of Jerusalem in the Face of Hostilities in Neh 3:33-4:3
4. Nehemiah’s Works for Social Justice in Neh 5:6-13
5. The Reading of the Law by Ezra to the Hearing of the People in Neh 8:1-8
6. Nehemiah’s Works on Sabbath Reforms, Mixed Marriage, Language and Priesthood in Neh 13:15-31
7. Major Findings of the Exegetical Study
8. Concluding Remarks

Chapter 6: Ethnic Identity in the Present Indian Context: The People of Mizo in the State of Mizoram as a Point of Focus
1. Introduction
2. Ethnic Identity in the Present Context
3. Ethnic Identity of the People of Mizo in the State of Mizoram
4. Concluding Remarks

Chapter 7: General Conclusion

Bibliography

Rev. Dr. Lalawmpuia Hauhnar is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod. He earned his doctorate (DTh) from the Senate of Serampore College (University) and is currently an Associate Professor in the department of Old Testament at Aizawl Theological College, Mizoram. Previously he served as Probationary Pastor at Baktawng Pastorate (Mizoram), Missionary Pastor at Dumka Pastorate (Jharkhand), and Registrar at the United Theological College, Bangalore (Karnataka). He has several books and articles to his credit.