Definition: "One hard man, he was involved with Ezra initially"

This is an anagram with an &lit definition - look for an indicator word that suggests mixing or rearranging letters. An &lit clue means the entire clue serves as both the definition and the wordplay.

'was involved' is the anagram indicator. You need to rearrange: I (meaning 'one'), H (meaning 'hard'), 'man he', and E ('Ezra initially' - the first letter of Ezra). Mix all these letters together.

Answer: NEHEMIAH | Anagram of I ('one') + H ('hard') + 'man he' + E ('Ezra initially') = NEHEMIAH. This is an &lit clue where the entire clue describes the biblical figure who worked alongside Ezra in rebuilding Jerusalem.