The exact author of 1 & 2 Chronicles is technically anonymous. However, ancient Jewish tradition, the Talmud, and many biblical scholars attribute the books to
the priest and scribe Ezra. [
1,
2,
3,
4]
Key Points on Authorship:
- Anonymous Text: The text itself does not name who wrote it. Scholars often refer to this unknown compiler as "The Chronicler".
- The Ezra Tradition: The Jewish tradition attributing the books to Ezra is based on the similarities in writing style, language, and the fact that the ending of 2 Chronicles flows directly into the beginning of the Book of Ezra.
- Scholarly Consensus: Modern scholars acknowledge Ezra as a very plausible author, though some suggest the books were written by an anonymous Levite scribe or temple official around 400 B.C. to 430 B.C., well into the post-exilic period. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
