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Commanding the prophet to write down the present revelation (1–4). The coming punishment of the wicked and the liberation of God's people from Egyptian captivity (5–13). Disasters threatening the world in public life (14–27). Devastation of Assyria by Arabs and Karmanians (28–37). The death of Babylon under the influence of terrible phenomena in nature (38–45). Disasters threatening Babylon's accomplice Asia (46–63). Chapters XV and XVI form a completely independent work, usually entitled “Liber Quintus Esdrae” or briefly “Esdras V” in manuscripts of the Latin text. Hilgenfeld (Messias Judaeorum, XLVI-XLIX), Fritsche (Libri Veteris Testamenti pseudepigraphi selecti. Liptiae 1871 S. X) and Shavrov (92–94; 158–163) add these chapters to the first two, considering them only a continuation of the first. Hilgenfeld admits that the resulting “second book of Ezra” came from the pen of the author in its present form. Fritsche and Shavrov admit that it has not reached us in its entirety. Both assumptions are not justified by the content of the last chapters, which differ sharply from the first two. While the author of the first two chapters uses New Testament images and expressions at every step, the author of the last two gives almost no indication of the influence of Christian literature on him. Its models are the Old Testament prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Nahum and Joel. All this forces us to recognize the independence of the final chapters. 3Ezra 15:1 Speak in the hearing of my people the words of prophecy that I will put in your mouth, says the Lord; 3Ezra 15:2 and have them written on a charter, for they are faithful and true. 1Ezra 15:3 Do not be afraid that they will plot against you, and do not let the unbelief of those who speak against you trouble you. 3Ezra 15:4 For everyone who does not believe will die in his unbelief. 3Ezra 15:5 Behold, I will bring, says the Lord, disaster upon the circle of the earth: sword and famine, and death and destruction. 3Ezra 15:6 because the wickedness of the people has desecrated the whole earth, and their destructive deeds are overflowing. 3Ezra 15:7 Therefore says the Lord: 3Ezra 15:8 I will no longer remain silent about the iniquities that they commit wickedly, and I will not tolerate in them what they do criminally: behold, innocent and righteous blood cries out to Me, and the souls of the righteous cry out unceasingly. 3Ezra 15:9 I will take vengeance on them, says the Lord, and will take from them all innocent blood. 3Ezra 15:10 Behold, my people are being led as a flock to the slaughter; I will no longer tolerate him living in Egypt, 8–10. Wed. Rev VI:10; XIX:2. The book was written during a time of severe persecution of Christians. Shavrov (101–163) sees in it the persecution of Domitian, Lyke (186–187) Decius, Trajan or Diocletian. The mention of the Arabs forces us to place the origin of the book no earlier than the second half of the 3rd century, when the Arabs first occupied a prominent position among the peoples of antiquity. Gutschmid (212–232) dates it to 263, Volkmar (277) to 260, Hilgenfeld (XLVII, 208–211), Fritsche (X) and James (LXXVIII) to 268. Ewald (Geschichte des Volkes Israel, VII, 82–83; Jahrbucher der Biblischen Wissenschaft, X, 223-224) completely ignores this detail, attributing the appearance of the book to the reign of Trajan (98-117) around the year 116 and considering it to have come out of Jewish circles. Trajan did not undertake any bloody persecution of Judaism. Although the name Egypt can be used in a figurative sense, as a designation of the land of captivity, further details leave no doubt that Egypt is meant here in the exact sense of the word. This is also confirmed by the fact that the prophet directs his denunciations against individual provinces of the Roman Empire: Egypt, Syria, Babylon and Asia (XVI:1). Indeed, Egyptian Christians experienced severe, bloody persecution under the usurper Macrian (261–262). Dionysius of Alexandria testifies to him (Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastics VII, 22, 4). At this time, in other places, Christians, according to the Edict of Gallian, enjoyed freedom of religion. 3Ezra 15:11 But I will bring him out with a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, and I will smite Egypt with plague as before, and I will destroy all her land. 3Ezra 15:12 Egypt and its foundations will mourn, struck by the execution and vengeance that God will bring on it. 12. Since the author below admits that the disasters he predicted have already occurred (XV:27), it is obvious that in the misfortunes that Egypt is about to experience, along with purely eschatological elements, there are historical details. Under the cover of prophecy, the author gave a vivid picture of the social adversities that Egypt experienced in the half of the 3rd century. It is possible that he begins his denunciations with Egypt, since he himself lived in Alexandria, where the troubles made themselves felt especially strongly. 3Ezra 15:13 The farmers who cultivate the land will mourn, because their seeds will fail because of rust and hail and the terrible star. 3Ezra 15:14 Woe to the world and to those who live in it, 3Ezra 15:15 For the sword and their destruction is at hand, and nation will rise up against nation for war, and swords are in their hands. 15. This refers to the continuous wars of the Romans with the Goths (253, 255, 258, 259–263, 266) and the Persians (256, 260), as well as the wars waged against the Persians by the founder of the Palmyra kingdom Odaenathus (261, 263). 3Ezra 15:16 People will become fickle and, some overpowering others, will neglect their king, and the rulers - the course of their affairs within the limits of their authority. 16. During the reign of Gallienus (260–268), a number of usurpers appeared in Egypt and proclaimed themselves emperors. The first of these was Macrian, a cruel enemy of Christianity, with two sons. He ruled Egypt for 2 years (261–262). After him, around the same period, Egypt was under the rule of Aemilian (262–263). In 268, the briefly restored calm was again disrupted by Domitian. The civil strife that tore Egypt apart caused the Palmyrians to attempt to take control of it. At first it failed, but in 270 the queen of Palmyra, Zenobia, conquered this Roman province and ruled it for her son until her fall (273). The book’s remark that when disasters occur, some will overcome others, just hints at this unexpected loss of Egypt for Rome. 3Ezra 15:17 A man desires to go into a city, but is not able, 3Ezra 15:18 For because of their pride, the cities will be in turmoil, houses will be destroyed, and fear will fall on the people. 3Ezra 15:19 A man will not have pity on his neighbor, handing over their houses to destruction with weapons, plundering their property because of famine and many troubles. 17–19. In view of the troubled times, the villagers will seek protection behind the fortified walls of the cities, but in vain. At Easter 261, an uprising occurred in Alexandria, dividing all the inhabitants into two camps. Both sides mercilessly exterminated each other. The Nile continually carried in its current the bodies of those killed or drowned. Macrian took advantage of these unrest to seize power over Alexandria. In 262, Egypt was visited by a terrible famine and plague, which destroyed many people (XIII, 16–35). After the fall of Macrian, Alexandria briefly recognized Gallianus as emperor. The new usurper Aemilian seized grain supplies and thereby caused famine in many cities. The Roman general Phedot besieged him at Brucheion. After a long siege, the city surrendered due to famine. 3Ezra 15:20 Behold, I call, saith God, all the kings of the earth, from the east and the south, from the north and Lebanon, that they may revere me, and turn to themselves, and repay them for what they have done unto them. 20. “Behold, I am calling,” says God, “all the kings of the earth, that they may arise from the east and the south, the southeast and the southwest.” The mention of Lebanon among the countries of the world, from where God calls all the kings of the earth, is quite unexpected. It is explained by an incorrect reading of the Latin word libe (it appears in one of the Spanish codes in the form libie), representing a translation of the Greek λιβός. The word λίψ (Latin lips) means southwest wind. Kings, by the will of God, gather from different countries of the world to punish Rome for shedding innocent blood. Under the kings of the east, according to Gugschmid, of course, the dynasty that ruled Persia - the Sassanids, which had a claim to the Roman provinces to the shores of the Aegean and Black Sea, since they were once part of the Persian monarchy. In the southeast lay Palmyra, whose rulers tried to pretend to be supporters of Rome, but in reality founded a new Syro-Arab kingdom in the east. In the southern kings one can see a hint of the tyrant Alexander Aemilian, who passed through Thebaid and all of Egypt to pacify the barbarian raids that began at that time. These were the Blemmii, whose attacks under Diocletian ended with the annexation of part of upper Egypt and Libya. By kings on the Liban side (προς λίβα) we mean the Marmarid dynasty in Libya, with which the Romans fought. The prophecy captures the main states that were at war with Rome. Their calling by God contains an indication of the onslaught threatening Rome on their part, which should put an end to the existence of the Roman Empire. 3Ezra 15:21 As they have done unto my chosen even hitherto, so will I do unto them, and will recompense them into their bosom, saith the Lord GOD. 3Ezra 15:22 My right hand will not spare sinners, and the sword will not cease to strike those who shed innocent blood on the earth. 21–22. Under Valerian (253–260), there was a bloody persecution of Christians that lasted 3 1/4 years (257–260). The Edict of Gallienus put an end to it, but in Egypt it continued, since power there was in the hands of Macrian, the main inspirer of Valerian in his struggle against Christianity. 3Ezra 15:23 Fire came out of His wrath and destroyed the foundations of the earth and sinners like burning stubble. 3Ezra 15:24 Woe to sinners and to them that do not keep My commandments! says the Lord. 3Ezra 15:25 I will not spare them. Depart, sons of apostates, do not desecrate My sanctuary. 3Ezra 15:26 The Lord knows all who sin against Him; therefore he gave them over to death and to be killed. 3Ezra 15:27 Disasters have already come to the circle of the earth, and you will remain in them. God will not deliver you because you have sinned against Him. 3Ezra 15:28 Behold, a terrible vision, and its face is from the east. 3Ezra 15:29 The offspring of the dragons of Arabia will come out on many chariots and will rush across the earth with the speed of the wind, so that they will bring fear and trembling to all who hear about them. 29. Before the advent of Islam, the Arabs only once occupied a threatening position in relation to the states of the East. This was during the time of the Palmyra kingdom, founded by the Arab Odaenathus. He was the Roman decurion in Palmyra and was considered the prince of the Arab nomads who lived along the Euphrates. His brilliant military actions against the Persians forced Gallienus to proclaim him Emperor of the East in 264. During the reign of Odaenathus's successor, Zenobia (267–273), Palmyra stood at the pinnacle of power. Zinovia was even lucky enough to take possession of Egypt. Ewald tries to see here an indication of the reign of Trajan, who had to fight a long war in the east with the Arabs and Persians. But during the reign of Trajan, which shone with external victories, it is unlikely that anyone could have thought of the imminent destruction of Rome. 3Ezra 15:30 The Carmonites will come out like boars from the forest, raging in rage, and will come in great strength, will fight with them and will devastate part of the land of Assyria. 3Ezra 15:31 Then the dragons, remembering their origin, will gain the upper hand and, possessing great strength, will turn to pursue them. 3Ezra 15:32 They will be troubled, they will become silent before their strength, and they will turn their feet to flight. 30–32. Karmonians are residents of the Persian city of Karman. Pockets were the first conquest of the Sassanids. Obviously, here this name is used in a broad sense to refer to the Persians. After a successful fight with Rome, during which the Persians captured Emperor Valerian (253–260), they captured Mesopotamia under King Sapor and marched throughout Syria and Cilicia. Finally, during the siege of Pompeiopolis, the Persians were defeated. The Romans, in alliance with Odaenathus of Palmyra, continued the fight against the Persians so successfully that Sapor was even cut off from retreating. He had to give a huge ransom to the Roman garrison stationed in Edessa in order to ensure his return to Persia. After the victory over Sapor, Odaenathus invaded Persia, captured Carrhae and Nazibia, took all of Mesopotamia from the Persians and besieged Ctesiphon. For the first time, the siege was not completed due to the intervention of Macrian. Then, taking advantage of Macrian's stay in Europe, Odaenathus killed his youngest son and took Emesa and Ctesiphon. The invasion of Asia Minor by the Goths prompted him to go to the Cappadocian city of Heraclea to fight them, but the enemy had already left. Soon Odaenathus was killed along with his son. Under the part of the Assyrian land devastated by the Carmonians, of course, the area between the Tigris and Euphrates, which was not part of the Roman Empire under the Sassanids. The Persians captured Mesopotamia, and in particular the Arab city of Gatra, in 255. Under Odaenathus, this entire area passed to Palmyra. 3Ezra 15:33 But he who is in ambush from the side of the Assyrians will surround them and kill one of them; there will be fear and trembling in their army and murmuring against their kings. 33. Lieke and Hilgenfeld see in this place an echo of the violent death of Odaenathus. He died at the hands of his nephew Maeonius. In the book's remark about the grumbling of kings, one can see a hint of the army uprising that broke out after the murder of Odaenathus. The villain himself fell victim to him. Gutschmid, without sufficient grounds, attributes this place to the Persians. Ewald sees in the name Carmonians (Carmonii) a modification of the word Armageddon (Rev XVI:16). This is what Rome was called in apocalyptic writing (Jahrbucher der Biblischen Wissenschaft I, 62; VIII, 31). This understanding is supported by the comparison of the Carmonians with wild boars, taken from the Psalter (LXXIX:14). The words of the psalmist were interpreted in the post-exilic period in application to the Romans. Ewald’s opinion that Armageddon means Rome cannot be considered firmly proven. The comparison with boars represents interpolation. Some codes simply talk about the exit of the crazy Carmonians from the forest (James). 3Ezra 15:34 Behold, the clouds are from the east and from the north to the south, and their appearance is very formidable, full of ferocity and storm. 34. The Goths are represented as clouds (nubs) rushing from the east and north. Since 255 they have continuously plundered Thrace, Macedonia and Achaia. Although they were defeated by the commander Marcian, they left in 262 with great booty. Another part of the Goths crossed the Bosphorus to Bithynia in 259 and burned the cities of Nicomedia and Nicaea here. For about 4 years the Goths plundered Asia Minor and only returned back in 263. At the same time, Germanic tribes devastated Illyricum and Italy and threatened Rome itself. In 263, Gallienus was honored with a triumph on the occasion of the expulsion of the Goths. In 267, the Goths, together with the Scythians, again invaded Asia Minor and completed the previous devastation. Gallienus set out on a campaign against the Scythians, but the rebellion of Avreol broke out in the west, and the emperor had to return. The origin of the book should be dated back to 268, when Rome was threatened from all sides. 3Ezra 15:35 They will collide with each other, and will overthrow many stars to the earth and their star; and there will be blood from the sword to the belly, 3Ez.15:36 and the droppings of men up to the saddle of a camel; there will be great fear and trembling on earth. 3Ezra 15:37 All who see this ferocity will be horrified and tremble. 3Ezra 15:38 After this many storms will arise from the south and north and partly from the west, 3Ezra 15:39 And strong winds will arise from the east and will uncover it and the cloud that I stirred up in wrath; and the star appointed for intimidation in the east and west winds will be damaged. 3Ezra 15:40 And the clouds will rise, great and strong, full of fierceness, and a star to terrify the whole earth and its inhabitants; and they will rain down on every place high and exalted a terrible star, 3Ezra 15:41 Fire and hail, flying swords and many waters, to fill all the fields and all the springs with abundance of water. 3Ezra 15:42 And they will flood the city, and the walls, and the mountains, and the hills, and the trees of the forests, and the grass of the meadows, and their grain plants; 3Ezra 15:43 And they will march without stopping to Babylon and destroy it; 43. Rome was known under the name of Babylon in apocalyptic literature. The author is convinced that the end of the Roman Empire is inevitable. 3Ezra 15:44 They will gather around him and surround him; will shed star and fury on him. And dust and smoke will rise to the very sky, and everyone around will mourn him, 3Ezra 15:45 And those who remain under his control will serve those who caused fear. 3Ezra 15:46 And you, Asia, are partaker of the hope of Babylon and of her glory: 46. The Prophet addresses a special speech to Asia, i.e. Asia Minor. This is explained by the fact that here the persecution of Christians was carried out with even greater bitterness than in Rome. 3Ezra 15:47 Woe to you, poor woman, because you were like him and adored your daughters in fornication, so that they would be liked and glorified by your lovers, who always wanted to commit fornication with you. 3Ezra 15:48 You imitated the hated one in all his deeds and undertakings. 3Ezra 15:49 Therefore, says God, I will send disasters upon you: widowhood, poverty, famine, sword, and pestilence, to lay waste your houses with violence and death. 3Ezra 15:50 And the glory of your power will dry up like a flower when the heat that is sent to you comes. 3Ezra 15:51 You will faint like a beggar, beaten and wounded by women, so that noble people and lovers will not be able to receive you. 3Ezra 15:52 Would I hate you so much, says the Lord, 1Ezra 15:53 ​​if you had not killed my chosen ones at all times, raising your hands to slay them and mocking their death when you were drunk? 53. The author alludes to the persecution of Decius Trajan (249–252). Under his successor Valerian (253–260), the administration of Asia Minor fell into the hands of Macrian, the worst enemy of Christianity. The bloody persecution of Christians undoubtedly continued at this time with no less bitterness. 3Ez.15:54 Adorn your face. 3Ezra 15:55 The wages of your fornication is in your bosom; for this you will receive reward. 3Ezra 15:56 As you have dealt with My chosen ones, says the Lord, so God will deal with you, and will cause you to suffer disasters. 3Ezra 15:57 Your children will perish by hunger, you will fall by the sword, your cities will be destroyed, and all of you will fall into the field by the sword. 3Ezra 15:58 But those who are on the mountains will perish from hunger, and will eat their own flesh for lack of bread and drink blood for lack of water. 57–58. In 262, a plague raged in Asia Minor, and before that it was visited by a terrible earthquake. In addition, the hordes of Goths during their two invasions destroyed or plundered almost all of its major cities. 3Ezra 15:59 You will walk in misfortune on the seas, and there you will meet troubles. 59. “You will come unhappy the first time and again you will be exposed to disasters.” The author contrasts the misfortunes that have already befallen Asia Minor with those that await it in the future. 3Ezra 15:60 During your marches they will rush against the desolate city, and destroy part of your land, and destroy part of your glory. 60. “Returning from the destruction of Babylon, along the way they will attack the desolate city and destroy part of your land and uproot part of your glory.” Punishment befalls Asia Minor after Babylon, i.e. Rome. Its executors will be numerous enemies of Rome, who will only be an obedient (XV:20) instrument in the hands of God. The prophet does not speak about all cities, but only about those that survived the raids of the Goths. 3Ezra 15:61 Destroyed, you will serve as stubble for them, and they will be fire for you; 3Ezra 15:62 And they will destroy you, and your cities, your land, your mountains, all your forests and fruitful trees will burn with fire. 3Ezra 15:63 Your sons will be carried away captive, your property will be taken as a spoil, and your glory will be destroyed.