| Testament: | Other |
| Description: | 2 Esdras, also known as 4 Esdras, is an apocalyptic work written in the first century CE and contains Jewish and Christian themes. |
| Chapters: | 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 |
| Author name: | Unknown |
| Written date: | Late 1st century AD |
| Location: | Unknown |
| Genre: | Apocalyptic |
| Chapter count: | 16 |
| Verse count: | 78 |
| Language: | Hebrew or Aramaic |
| Audience: | Jewish readers |
| Theme: | Visions, dialogues, and prophecies about the end times |
| Key verses: | |
| Summary: | 2 Esdras, also known as 4 Esdras, is an apocalyptic text that is considered part of the apocrypha by most Christian traditions. The book is attributed to Ezra and consists of several visions and dialogues that address theological and existential questions, as well as prophecies about the end times, judgment, and the coming of the Messiah. It includes a series of seven visions that explore themes of divine justice, human suffering, and the final judgment. It is often regarded as a work of Jewish apocalyptic literature with Christian interpolations. |
| Outline: | I. Introduction: Historical Setting (1:1-3:14)
II. First Vision: The Woes of the Present Age (3:15-5:20)
III. Second Vision: The Dialogue with Uriel (5:21-6:34)
IV. Third Vision: The Signs of the End (6:35-9:25)
V. Fourth Vision: The Messianic Kingdom (9:26-11:36)
VI. Fifth Vision: The Interpretation of the Fourth Vision (11:37-12:51)
VII. Sixth Vision: The Theophany and Ezra’s Laments (13:1-14:48)
VIII. Seventh Vision: The Transmission and Preservation of Scripture (14:19-48) |