Esdras (Greek Ἔσδρας) is a Greco-Latin variation of the name of the scribe Ezra. It is found in the titles of several books, associated with the scribe, that are in or related to the Bible.

Naming conventions[link]

The books associated with the scribe Ezra are titled differently in different versions of the Bible. The following table summarizes the various names:

The Thirty-nine Articles follow the naming convention of the Vulgate. Likewise, the Vulgate enumeration is often used by modern scholars, who nevertheless use the name Ezra to avoid confusion with the Greek and Slavonic enumerations: 1 Ezra (Ezra), 2 Ezra (Nehemiah), 3 Ezra (Esdras A/1 Esdras), 4 Ezra (chapters 3-14 of 4 Esdras), 5 Ezra (chapters 1-2 of 4 Esdras) and 6 Ezra (chapters 15-16 of 4 Esdras).

Historical development[link]

The two books universally considered canonical, Ezra and Nehemiah (lines 1 and 2 above) may have been originally one book titled Ezra (= Esdras). Perhaps as early as Melito's canon of the 2nd century, Jews began to refer to the "two books of Ezra," where the second was Nehemiah. Sometime thereafter, the Christian church followed suit.

Since the English Reformation, most English translations^[1] have followed the Hebrew titles while the Douay–Rheims version followed the Vulgate. The Greek canon incorporated Ezra-Nehemiah as a single book and called it Esdras B to distinguish it from Esdras A.

The latter book (line 3 above) does not form part of either the Hebrew or the Latin canon though it was often included in Latin manuscripts and editions of the Bible under the title 3 Esdras. The Douay–Rheims version followed this title, while other English versions chose a separate numbering for apocryphical books and called it 1 Esdras (using the Greek form to differentiate the apocryphical book from the canonical Ezra). The Greek bible, which included the book placed it before Esdras B and therefore called it Esdras A.

Another non-canonical book (line 4 above) is contained in some Latin bibles as 4 Esdras and some Slavonic manuscripts as 3 Esdras. Except for the Douay–Rheims version (which follows the Vulgate), most English versions containing this book call it 2 Esdras (again using the Greek form for the apocryphical book). The book is not included in the Greek Septuagint and complete copy of the Greek text has not survived, though it is quoted by the Church fathers.^[2] Due to its apocalyptic content, the book also has been called Esdras the Prophet, Apocalyptic Esdras or Jewish Apocalypse of Ezra. Because the most complete extant text is in Latin, the book is also called Latin Esdras.^[3]

The Latin version differs from other versions in that it contains additional opening and closing chapters, which are also called 5 Ezra and 6 Ezra by scholars.

Other books associated with Ezra are the Greek Apocalypse of Ezra, the Vision of Ezra, the Questions of Ezra and the Revelation of Ezra.

Canonicity[link]

All Christians and Jews consider Ezra and Nehemiah to be canonical. Jews, Roman Catholics, and Protestants do not generally recognize 1 Esdras and 2 Esdras as being canonical. Eastern Orthodox generally consider 1 Esdras to be canonical, but not 2 Esdras.

Notes[link]

1. ^ ^{a b} Including KJB, RSV, NRSV, NEB, REB, and GNB
2. ^ Jewish Encyclopedia: Esdras, Books of.
3. ^ NETBible: Apocalyptic Esdras

External links[link]

• Catholic Encyclopedia: Esdras II. The Books of Esdras
• Jewish Encyclopedia: Esdras, Books of
• 1 Esdras 1 – NRSV
• 2 Esdras 1 – NRSV
• 1 Esdras at earlyjewishwritings.com
• 2 Esdras at earlyjewishwritings.com

Ricardo Alvarez is a character on the HBO drama Oz, played by Tomas Milian. He is a Latino prison inmate.

Character overview[link]

Prisoner 43A515. Convicted March 3, 1943 - Armed robbery. Sentence: 20 years. Convicted again June 6, 1961 - Murder in the first degree. Sentence: Life imprisonment in solitary confinement.

The grandfather of inmate Miguel Alvarez and the father of inmate Eduardo Alvarez, he is serving life imprisonment in solitary confinement for murdering a Haitian inmate who cut out Eduardo's tongue. He dies due to Alzheimer's disease at the end of Season 1.

Season 1[link]

Ricardo appears at the request of Father Ray Mukada to discuss the birth of new inmate Miguel Alvarez's son. Miguel is Ricardo's grandson, whom he has never met, and has no intention of taking responsibility for the baby that is being born. Mukada wants to help end the cycle of the Alvarez family incarcerations as three generations are all serving time at the Oswald State Correctional Facility. When discussing the issues pertaining to mistakes in fathering, Mukada is convinced that Ricardo does feel a sense of responsibility to help end the negative cycle when he finds out why Ricardo is serving time in solitary.

Ricardo went to prison for armed robbery in 1943 as Eduardo was being born. He did not see his son again until 1961, when Eduardo came to Oz as a prisoner. Eduardo disrespected a Haitian inmate who exacted revenge on him by cutting out his tongue preventing him from being able to speak. Ricardo then vengefully cut out the Haitian's heart and was sentenced to life in solitary confinement. For killing a man who harmed his son, Mukada sees that Ricardo was in fact a loving parent who sees the importance of protecting family members. From here, Mukada tells Ricardo not to talk to Miguel for his sake or Eduardo's sake but for the sake of Miguel's baby - Ricardo's great-grandchild. Ricardo and Eduardo visit, verbally and subliminally telling him to take responsibility for the child being born, causing Miguel to have a change in heart. Tragedy however occurs after Miguel's baby is born, as it dies to a bad liver caused by the drugs used by Miguel and the baby's mother Maritza before the baby's birth.

After this happens, Ricardo begins to lose his mind and gets Alzheimer's disease. He does not know where he is and is deemed as a non-threatening inmate by Mukada and Sister Peter Marie. When Warden Glynn refuses to let him go for legal reasons, Miguel and Eduardo take care of him in the hospital ward until his death occurs.

References[link]

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