Old Testament · History
Ezra Bible Quiz
Test your knowledge of Ezra: the return from exile and rebuilding the temple.
-
How long did it take to investigate all the cases of mixed marriages?
Show answer
Answer: B. From the first day of the tenth month until the first day of the first month
Ezra 10:16-17 records: 'they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. By the first day of the first month they finished questioning all the men who had taken pagan wives.'
-
What offering did those who had married pagan wives make?
Show answer
Answer: B. A ram of the flock for their trespass
Ezra 10:19 states: 'And they gave their promise that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they presented a ram of the flock as their trespass offering.'
-
How did Ezra react when he heard about the mixed marriages?
Show answer
Answer: D. He tore his garment and robe and plucked out some of his hair
Ezra 9:3 records: 'So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished.'
-
Who was the leader of the first group of exiles to return to Jerusalem?
Show answer
Answer: A. Zerubbabel
Ezra 2:2 lists: 'Those who came with Zerubbabel were Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah.'
-
Who came and suggested a solution to the mixed marriage problem?
Show answer
Answer: C. Shechaniah the son of Jehiel
Ezra 10:2 records: 'And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land.'
-
What emotion did Ezra express about the situation?
Show answer
Answer: C. I am too ashamed and humiliated
Ezra 9:6 begins his prayer: 'O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads.'
-
Which geographical location serves as the final destination of Ezra's journey as recorded in the book?
Show answer
Answer: B. Jerusalem
Ezra traveled from Persia to Jerusalem with the exiles to reinforce the observance of God's Law (Ezra 7:8-9).
-
Where did Ezra travel from to reach Jerusalem during his return?
Show answer
Answer: C. Babylon
Ezra traveled from Babylon, where he had been in exile, to Jerusalem to lead a spiritual revival (Ezra 7:6).
-
How many singers were found to have married pagan wives?
Show answer
Answer: D. 1
Ezra 10:24 mentions: 'Also of the singers: Eliashib,' indicating one singer had taken a pagan wife.
-
How many male goats were offered as sin offerings at the dedication?
Show answer
Answer: D. 12
Ezra 6:17 concludes: 'and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.'
-
How many people returned in the first group of exiles under Zerubbabel?
Show answer
Answer: C. 42,360
Ezra 2:64 records: 'The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty.'
-
How many gold bowls did Cyrus return from Nebuchadnezzar's plunder?
Show answer
Answer: B. 30
Ezra 1:9-10 lists the vessels: 'gold dishes thirty, silver dishes of a similar kind four hundred and ten, and other articles one thousand.'
-
Who was the governor of the region beyond the River who questioned the temple building?
Show answer
Answer: C. Tattenai
Ezra 5:3 states: 'At the same time Tattenai the governor of the region beyond the River and Shethar-Boznai and their companions came to them.'
-
In which month and year was the temple completed?
Show answer
Answer: B. Twelfth month, sixth year of Darius
Ezra 6:15 records: 'Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.'
-
What did Ezra recognize about God's character in his prayer?
Show answer
Answer: A. You, Lord God of Israel, are righteous
Ezra 9:15 begins: 'O Lord God of Israel, You are righteous, for we are left as a remnant, as it is this day. Here we are before You, in our guilt, though no one can stand before You because of this!'
-
What was the people's response to Ezra's command about separation?
Show answer
Answer: D. The whole assembly said with a loud voice, Yes! As you have said, so we must do
Ezra 10:12 records: 'Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, Yes! As you have said, so we must do.'
-
What does Ezra's prayer theology in 9:6-15 reveal about the relationship between divine justice and mercy?
Show answer
Answer: A. Divine mercy operates within justice, preserving a remnant while acknowledging deserved judgment
Ezra 9:13-15 acknowledges God has 'punished us less than our iniquities deserve' while preserving 'a remnant,' showing how divine mercy operates within, not contrary to, perfect justice.
-
What does Ezra's preparation in 7:10 establish about effective spiritual leadership and teaching ministry?
Show answer
Answer: A. Effective ministry requires personal pursuit of God's truth, practical obedience, and then teaching others
Ezra 7:10's sequence—'seek the Law,' 'do it,' then 'teach'—establishes that authentic spiritual leadership flows from personal study, obedient application, and then qualified instruction of others.
-
What does Ezra do when he finds Israelites practicing marriage with foreign women?
Show answer
Answer: B. He leads a reform to divorce foreign wives
Ezra calls for repentance and reforms, including the separation from foreign spouses (Ezra 9-10).
Your score
Keep going in the Kingdom Bible Quiz app
There are 231 more Ezra questions in the app, in five question formats. Play daily, unlock verse reveals, and quiz with family and friends.
Answer key
- B. From the first day of the tenth month until the first day of the first month
- B. A ram of the flock for their trespass
- D. He tore his garment and robe and plucked out some of his hair
- A. Zerubbabel
- C. Shechaniah the son of Jehiel
- C. I am too ashamed and humiliated
- B. Jerusalem
- C. Babylon
- D. 1
- D. 12
- C. 42,360
- B. 30
- C. Tattenai
- B. Twelfth month, sixth year of Darius
- A. You, Lord God of Israel, are righteous
- D. The whole assembly said with a loud voice, Yes! As you have said, so we must do
- A. Divine mercy operates within justice, preserving a remnant while acknowledging deserved judgment
- A. Effective ministry requires personal pursuit of God's truth, practical obedience, and then teaching others
- B. He leads a reform to divorce foreign wives
About the book of Ezra
Ezra is the 15th book of the Bible and belongs to the History section of the Old Testament. It has 10 chapters. Ezra describes the Jews returning from Babylon, rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, and Ezra the scribe teaching the law to the people.
Using this quiz with a group
These questions work well for Sunday school, youth group, small groups and family devotions. Read each question aloud, let everyone answer, then read the explanation together. Use the print button for a worksheet with an answer key at the end.