Before entering upon a detailed discussion of the problems reflected in the title to this section, it may be helpful to present a brief statement on the canonical position and content of Ezra-Nehemiah. The summary at the end of Nehemiah shows that Ezra-Nehemiah was once regarded as a single book under the title of Ezra. The earliest canonical lists (Baba Bathra, 15a, and Melito of Sardis) refer to our books of Ezra and Nehemiah as Ezra. Sirach (49:13) praised the memory
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