Separation of the People, Separation of the Land

“The relationship between the sometimes-parallel narratives of Ezra and Nehemiah is fraught with difficulties, and the problem of whether or how they cohere to form a unified contiguous work has long challenged scholars. Because of the complexities of the problems, studies of Ezra-Nehemiah can be forbiddingly dense. Nicholas Campbell has produced a thoroughly researched and insightful analysis of the relationship between these two books. His analysis and conclusions are well-reasoned, and his prose is clear and straightforward.”


—Duane A. Garrett, professor of Old Testament interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary





“Nicholas Campbell’s Separation of the People, Separation of the Land is an illuminating study of one of the principle reasons the books of Ezra and Nehemiah should be read in light of each other. Focusing on Ezra 9–10 and Nehemiah 1–3, Campbell’s analysis demonstrates through literary structures and theological themes that it is essential for one to read Ezra and Nehemiah together whether one believes they were originally composed separately or together. By doing so, the reader will be enabled to grasp the riches of their shared theological message focusing on the restoration of the community in Judah and its land by the removal of foreign influences.”


—T. J. Betts, professor of Old Testament interpretation, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary