Definition

Proper noun: 1. A deuterocanonical/apocryphal text: "2 Esdras" is the name given to a prophetic and apocalyptic book found in some versions of the Christian Old Testament, considered canonical in some traditions but apocryphal in others. It is distinct from the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (sometimes called 1 Esdras). 2. A book of angelic revelations: The text primarily consists of seven visions granted to the scribe Ezra, featuring dialogues with an angel (Uriel) who reveals divine mysteries concerning the suffering of the righteous, the fate of Israel, and the end times.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • Scholars study 2 Esdras to understand Jewish apocalyptic thought in the first century.
  • The angelic revelations in 2 Esdras offer a unique perspective on the problem of evil.
  • This manuscript includes a Latin version of 2 Esdras.

Advanced Usage

• "The Ezra Apocalypse": An alternative scholarly name for 2 Esdras, highlighting its apocalyptic genre.
  • The Ezra Apocalypse (2 Esdras) shares thematic elements with the Book of Revelation.
• "4 Ezra": In many modern scholarly contexts, the core chapters (3-14) of 2 Esdras are referred to as "4 Ezra," distinguishing it from the surrounding Christian chapters (1-2, 15-16, sometimes called "5 Ezra" and "6 Ezra").
  • The central section, often called 4 Ezra, is considered the oldest Jewish layer of the text.

Variants and Related Words

• Esdras: The Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name "Ezra." Several books bear this name (e.g., 1 Esdras, 2 Esdras, 3 Esdras), leading to varying numbering systems across traditions.
• Apocalypse of Ezra: Another descriptive title for 2 Esdras.
• Deuterocanonical: A term for books included in the Septuagint and Catholic/Orthodox canons but not in the Hebrew Bible. 2 Esdras is considered deuterocanonical by some and apocryphal by others.
• Apocrypha: Writings of unclear authorship or authority not part of the canonical scripture. 2 Esdras is typically placed in the Apocrypha in Protestant Bibles.

Synonyms

• Fourth Ezra (for chapters 3-14): The common academic designation for the main Jewish portion.
• The Ezra Apocalypse: A descriptive synonym emphasizing the book's literary genre.

Related Phrases

• The Salathiel Apocalypse: An occasional name for 2 Esdras, derived from the name "Salathiel" (or Shealtiel) given to Ezra in the text's opening verse.
  • In the Salathiel Apocalypse, the seer laments the destruction of Jerusalem.

Noun

1. an Apocryphal book of angelic revelations