The Dates and Provenance of 4 Ezra
To arrive at a date for 4 Ezra, scholars usually begin with internal evidence, and specifically with 3:1 (the first verse of the Jewish corpus).1 This verse reads: "In the thirtieth year after the destruction of our city, I, Salthiel, who am also called Ezra, was in Babylon. I was troubled as I lay on my bed, and my thoughts welled up in my heart, because I saw the desolation of Zion and the wealth of those who lived in Babylon." At face value, the historical reference to the holy city by the Babylonians would have been the year 586 B.C. when Nebuchadnezzar overran the city. But when this is compared with the eagle vision of chapters 11-12, it becomes clear that the author is employing pseudonyms for both Ezra and Babylon. In 11:1, the author speaks of an eagle with three heads which is generally understood by scholars to correspond with the Flavian emperors.2 This would date the composition at approximately 100 A.D., or a few years prior.
As for the provenance, Palestine occupies first place of choice. Some have suggested Rome since the fifth vision is centrally about Rome. But references to Zion, and its destruction and the concern for God's people being in the hands of the Gentiles, rather argues for a Palestinian provenance.
Notes
1There are three textual traditions to the current form of 4 Ezra. Chapters 3-14 constitute the main corpus and is generally considered to be of Jewish authorship. Chapters 1-2 and 15-16 are Christian additions.
2Michael E. Stone, "Apocalyptic Literature," in Jewish Writings of the Second Temple Period: Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha, Qumran Sectarian, Writings, Philo, Josephus, ed. Michael E. Stone (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984): 412.
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