He was a priest and scribe who led the exiled Babylonian community back to Israel. He formed the Grand Assembly which under his leadership introduced a number of important reforms that were essential for rebuilding national life after the exile.

Jewish history is the history of the Jews, and their nation, religion, and culture, as it developed and interacted with other peoples, religions, and cultures. Jews originated from the Israelites and Hebrews of historical Israel and Judah, two related kingdoms that emerged in the Levant during the Iron Age.