Uzair (or Ezra) is a historical account which continues the story from where 2 Chronicles ends. It happens during a time when the Babylonian Empire was waning in influence and Jews were returning to Palestine. A first group of Jews returns under the leadership of Zerubbabel in chapters 1 to 6. In the face of much opposition from enemy neighbours, they rebuild the Holy House in Jerusalem. At that time Prophet Haggai (pbuh) and Prophet Zakariyya (pbuh) give the people much encouragement to persevere to the end. Between chapter 6 and 7 there is a time gap of 58 years. During that time, the events recorded in Esther take place. Then in 458 B.C., another group of Jews returns to Palestine under the leadership of Uzair (pbuh). This is recounted in chapters 7 to 10. The original of Uzair was written mostly in Hebrew, but also partly in Aramaic, particularly those sections which are government documents. See, for example, Uzair chapter 1, verses 2 to 4.
