to rebuild the temple. With the encouragement of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah the Second Temple was completed and dedicated in 515 B.C. (Ezra 1–6).5 Thus began what is called the period of the “Second Temple” or the “Second Jewish Commonwealth.” A second group of exiles returned under the leadership of Ezra (Ezra 1–7), whose dates are much disputed. Ezra is termed “a scribe skilled in the law of Moses” (7:6), and with him we are introduced to a new class of religious leaders who were to assume
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