differing viewpoints arise, to which uncertainty about the date of Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem and his relationship to Nehemiah contribute. The absence in Malachi of reference to recent legislation such as Ezra and Nehemiah introduced (Ezra 10:3; Neh. 13:13, 23–27) suggests that Malachi preceded them in time. If Ezra came to Jerusalem in 458 BC, Malachi might belong to the previous decade. This would explain the otherwise surprising reaction to Ezra’s day of repentance and fasting, before he himself