The Book of Esther is placed after the Book of Nehemiah, but her story actually came first [3]. This opens the possibility that Esther and Nehemiah could have lived as contemporaries in the same city for a period of time.

Ezra, a priest, was called upon by Nehemiah to return after the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. He is shown reading the Law to the congregated people and instructing them. On “the first day of the seventh month,” “all the people” gathered, likely being encouraged to do so by Nehemiah and Ezra.

The books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther depict what it is like for God's people to work in unwelcoming workplaces. They show God's people working in jobs ranging from construction to politics to entertainment, always in the midst of environments openly hostile to God's values and plans.

Some conservative scholars have argued that the book was composed by Ezra (following Augustine, City of God, 18.36) or Nehemiah. These were individuals who would have been familiar with both the Persian court and with Jewish history and traditions.