ABSTRACT

In the year 539 BC Babylon fell into the hands of the Persians. Soon traces of an undue stress upon the ritual side of religion became apparent especially under the sway of Malachi, though the influence of the other prophets exerted a modifying influence. This chapter presents an illustrations of the new lease of life given to primeval customs some of which originally rested upon the fear of demons, others upon obscure tabu-ideas. In theory, these customs obtained in every period, but in practice there may have been considerable diversity in the manner of their execution. Now their proper meaning was defined once for all. Persian period expressly refer to the old prophets, and also to the fact that Ezekiel gathered the exiles about him in his house. A new turn was given to the history of post-exilic Judaism by the activity of one of those who had returned from Babylon, Ezra, the priest and scribe.