Definition: In the Apocrypha, "Esdras" refers to a book written by an ancient Jewish author who is believed to have lived in the 3rd century or early 2nd century B.C. The Hebrew name Esdras means 'son of Esdras' which means a descendant of Esdras, a character from the Bible. In the Apocrypha, Esdras is described as having written the book of Esdras, which is a collection of ancient Jewish texts that are considered lost or unknown. The passage "Esdras," commonly translated as "Ester" (in Hebrew), describes an unnamed woman who becomes pregnant after she receives an unexpected letter from her estranged husband. It is said to have taken place in the time when Esdras was a young man and his wife was in Babylon. The passage also mentions that Esdras' wife died while giving birth, and he decided to take a trip to Egypt, where he is believed to have met the woman he is now named after. The specific details of who Esdras was (a man or woman) and what happened during his time are not known for certain. However, it is likely that this text is an account of an event in which a young man from Babylon returned home unexpectedly and found himself in a situation where he had to take care of his wife's pregnancy and child. The meaning of the word "Esdras" can vary depending on the context in which it is used. In some modern Jewish literature, it may be considered a metaphorical term for someone who has lost their son or daughter, while in other contexts it might be seen as a symbol of a person's journey or identity. In summary, Esdras refers to an unnamed woman from ancient times who became pregnant and died after receiving an unexpected letter. The passage describes the story of how this woman found herself in Egypt and then eventually returns home with her child.

(in the Apocrypha) Esdras