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Ezra 1

BSB·11 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1In the firstאַחַ֗ת’a·ḥaṯ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → yearוּבִשְׁנַ֣תū·ḇiš·naṯ — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → of Cyrusלְכ֙וֹרֶשׁ֙lə·ḵō·w·reš — Persian KingH3566 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Persiaפָּרַ֔סpā·ras — Persia, the empireH6539 — Full Word Study →, to fulfillלִכְל֥וֹתliḵ·lō·wṯ — to finish, complete, or bring to an endH3615 — Full Word Study → the wordדְּבַר־də·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → spokenמִפִּ֣יmip·pî — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → through Jeremiahיִרְמְיָ֑הyir·mə·yāh — The Lord exaltsH3414 — Full Word Study →, the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → stirredהֵעִ֣ירhê·‘îr — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study → the spiritר֙וּחַ֙rū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → of Cyrusכֹּ֣רֶשׁkō·reš — Persian KingH3566 — Full Word Study → kingמֶֽלֶךְ־me·leḵ- — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Persiaפָּרַ֔סpā·ras — Persia, the empireH6539 — Full Word Study → to sendוַיַּֽעֲבֶר־way·ya·‘ă·ḇer- — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → a proclamationקוֹל֙qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → throughoutבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → his kingdomמַלְכוּת֔וֹmal·ḵū·ṯōw — kingdom, royal rule, sovereigntyH4438 — Full Word Study → andוְגַם־wə·ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → to put it in writingבְּמִכְתָּ֖בbə·miḵ·tāḇ — written document; writing; decreeH4385 — Full Word Study → as followsלֵאמֹֽר׃lê·mōr — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: 2This is whatכֹּ֣הkōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → Cyrusכֹּ֚רֶשׁkō·reš — Persian KingH3566 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Persiaפָּרַ֔סpā·ras — Persia, the empireH6539 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַ֗ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: ‘The LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, the Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of heavenהַשָּׁמָ֑יִםhaš·šā·mā·yim — The heavens; sky; dwelling place of GodH8064 — Full Word Study →, whoוְהֽוּא־wə·hū- — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → has givenנָ֣תַןnā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → me allכֹּ֚לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the kingdomsמַמְלְכ֣וֹתmam·lə·ḵō·wṯ — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study → of the earthהָאָ֔רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, has appointedפָקַ֤דp̄ā·qaḏ — to visit, oversee, appoint, care forH6485 — Full Word Study → meעָלַי֙‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → to buildלִבְנֽוֹת־liḇ·nō·wṯ- — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → a houseבַ֔יִתḇa·yiṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → for Him at Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִַ֖םbî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → in Judahבִּֽיהוּדָֽה׃bî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. 3Whoeverמִֽי־mî- — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → among you belongs toמִכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → His peopleעַמּ֗וֹ‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →, may his Godאֱלֹהָיו֙’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → beיְהִ֤יyə·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → with himעִמּ֔וֹ‘im·mōw — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study →, and may he goוְיַ֕עַלwə·ya·‘al — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → to Jerusalemלִירוּשָׁלִַ֖םlî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → in Judahבִּיהוּדָ֑הbî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and buildוְיִ֗בֶןwə·yi·ḇen — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֤יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, the Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →; He is the Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → is in Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃bî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. 4And let everyוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → survivorהַנִּשְׁאָ֗רhan·niš·’ār — To remain, be left over, surviveH7604 — Full Word Study →, whereverמִֽכָּל־mik·kāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → heה֣וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → livesגָֽר־ḡār- — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study →, be assistedיְנַשְּׂא֙וּהוּ֙yə·naś·śə·’ū·hū — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → by the menאַנְשֵׁ֣י’an·šê — human being, man, mortal personH582 — Full Word Study → of that regionמְקֹמ֔וֹmə·qō·mōw — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study → with silverבְּכֶ֥סֶףbə·ḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study →, goldוּבְזָהָ֖בū·ḇə·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study →, goodsוּבִרְכ֣וּשׁū·ḇir·ḵūš — property, possessions, wealth, substanceH7399 — Full Word Study →, and livestockוּבִבְהֵמָ֑הū·ḇiḇ·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →, along withעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → a freewill offeringהַ֨נְּדָבָ֔הhan·nə·ḏā·ḇāh — Voluntary offering; willing gift; freewill contributionH5071 — Full Word Study → for the houseלְבֵ֥יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֖יםhā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → in Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃bî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →.’” 5So the familyהָאָב֗וֹתhā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ — H1 — Full Word Study → headsרָאשֵׁ֣יrā·šê — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → of Judahלִֽיהוּדָה֙lî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and Benjaminוּבִנְיָמִ֔ןū·ḇin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study →, along with the priestsוְהַכֹּהֲנִ֖יםwə·hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → and Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּ֑םwə·hal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study →everyoneלְכֹ֨לlə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → whose spiritרוּח֔וֹrū·ḥōw — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → Godהָאֱלֹהִים֙hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → had stirredהֵעִ֤ירhê·‘îr — To wake up, rouse, stir up, awakenH5782 — Full Word Study →preparedוַיָּק֜וּמוּway·yā·qū·mū — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → to go upלַעֲל֣וֹתla·‘ă·lō·wṯ — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → and rebuildלִבְנ֔וֹתliḇ·nō·wṯ — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → in Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃bî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. 6And allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → their neighborsסְבִיבֹֽתֵיהֶם֙sə·ḇî·ḇō·ṯê·hem — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study → supportedחִזְּק֣וּḥiz·zə·qū — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → themבִֽידֵיהֶ֔םḇî·ḏê·hem — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → with articlesבִּכְלֵי־biḵ·lê- — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study → of silverכֶ֧סֶףḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → and goldבַּזָּהָ֛בbaz·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study →, with goodsבָּרְכ֥וּשׁbā·rə·ḵūš — property, possessions, wealth, substanceH7399 — Full Word Study → and livestockוּבַבְּהֵמָ֖הū·ḇab·bə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →, and with valuablesוּבַמִּגְדָּנ֑וֹתū·ḇam·miḡ·dā·nō·wṯ — A precious gift or delicacy; something valued and preciousH4030 — Full Word Study →, in additionלְבַ֖דlə·ḇaḏ — alone, apart, or bar/poleH905 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → their freewill offeringsהִתְנַדֵּֽב׃סhiṯ·nad·dêḇ — to volunteer willingly; offer oneself freelyH5068 — Full Word Study →. 7Kingוְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְwə·ham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → Cyrusכּ֔וֹרֶשׁkō·w·reš — Persian KingH3566 — Full Word Study → also brought outהוֹצִ֖יאhō·w·ṣî — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → the articlesכְּלֵ֣יkə·lê — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study → belonging to the houseבֵית־ḇêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → Nebuchadnezzarנְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·neṣ·ṣar — God protects the kingH5019 — Full Word Study → had carried awayהוֹצִ֤יאhō·w·ṣî — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → from Jerusalemמִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םmî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → and placedוַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖םway·yit·tə·nêm — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → in the templeבְּבֵ֥יתbə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of his godsאֱלֹהָֽיו׃’ĕ·lō·hāw — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 8Cyrusכּ֚וֹרֶשׁkō·w·reš — Persian KingH3566 — Full Word Study → kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Persiaפָּרַ֔סpā·ras — Persia, the empireH6539 — Full Word Study → had them brought outוַיּֽוֹצִיאֵ֗םway·yō·ṣī·ʾēm — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → byעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the handיַ֖דyaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of Mithredathמִתְרְדָ֣תmiṯ·rə·ḏāṯ — Mithredath - a Persian officialH4990 — Full Word Study → the treasurerהַגִּזְבָּ֑רhag·giz·bār — treasurer; financial administratorH1489 — Full Word Study →, who counted them outוַֽיִּסְפְּרֵם֙way·yis·pə·rêm — To count, record, or declareH5608 — Full Word Study → to Sheshbazzarלְשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֔רlə·šê·šə·baṣ·ṣar — Fire in BabylonH8339 — Full Word Study → the princeהַנָּשִׂ֖יאhan·nā·śî — Prince, ruler, or leader of exalted statusH5387 — Full Word Study → of Judahלִיהוּדָֽה׃lî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. 9Thisוְאֵ֖לֶּהwə·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → was the inventoryמִסְפָּרָ֑םmis·pā·rām — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study →: 30שְׁלֹשִׁ֗יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → goldזָהָ֜בzā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → dishesאֲגַרְטְלֵ֨י’ă·ḡar·ṭə·lê — A large shallow dish or platter for servingH105 — Full Word Study →, 1,000 silverכֶ֙סֶף֙ḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → dishesאֲגַרְטְלֵי־’ă·ḡar·ṭə·lê- — A large shallow dish or platter for servingH105 — Full Word Study →, 29תִּשְׁעָ֥הtiš·‘āh — The number nine; completion before divine perfectionH8672 — Full Word Study → silver utensilsמַחֲלָפִ֖יםma·ḥă·lā·p̄îm — A knife or cutting toolH4252 — Full Word Study →, 1030שְׁלֹשִׁ֔יםšə·lō·šîm — thirty; group of thirtyH7970 — Full Word Study → goldזָהָב֙zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → bowlsכְּפוֹרֵ֤יkə·p̄ō·w·rê — Covered vessel or white frostH3713 — Full Word Study →, 410אַרְבַּ֥ע’ar·ba‘ — The number four; a group of fourH702 — Full Word Study → matchingמִשְׁנִ֔יםmiš·nîm — Second; duplicate; double portionH4932 — Full Word Study → silverכֶ֙סֶף֙ḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → bowlsכְּפ֤וֹרֵיkə·p̄ō·w·rê — Covered vessel or white frostH3713 — Full Word Study →, and 1,000אָֽלֶף׃ס’ā·lep̄ — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study → otherאֲחֵרִ֖ים’ă·ḥê·rîm — another, different, or following person or thingH312 — Full Word Study → articlesכֵּלִ֥יםkê·lîm — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study →. 11In all, there wereכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → 5,400חֲמֵ֥שֶׁתḥă·mê·šeṯ — The number five; a set of five unitsH2568 — Full Word Study → goldלַזָּהָ֣בlaz·zā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study → and silverוְלַכֶּ֔סֶףwə·lak·ke·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → articlesכֵּלִים֙kê·lîm — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study →. Sheshbazzarשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֗רšê·šə·baṣ·ṣar — Fire in BabylonH8339 — Full Word Study → broughtהֶעֱלָ֣הhe·‘ĕ·lāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → all these alongעִ֚ם‘im — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → when the exilesהַגּוֹלָ֔הhag·gō·w·lāh — captivity, exile, deportationH1473 — Full Word Study → went upהֵעָל֣וֹתhê·‘ā·lō·wṯ — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → from Babylonמִבָּבֶ֖לmib·bā·ḇel — Gate of GodH894 — Full Word Study → to Jerusalemלִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃פlî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Ezra 1
Chapter Overview

Overview

Ezra chapter 1 marks a turning point in Israel's history—the end of the Babylonian captivity and the beginning of restoration. After seventy years of exile, God stirred the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to permit the Jewish people to return home and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. This chapter demonstrates God's sovereignty over pagan kings and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Through the decree of a foreign ruler and the willing response of God's people, we see the Lord orchestrating redemption and renewal for His nation.

Verses 1–3: God's Sovereign Plan Through Cyrus's Decree

The opening verse establishes the historical setting—the first year of Cyrus's reign over Persia (approximately 539 BC). Significantly, Moses tells us that the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. This is not mere chance or political expediency; God Himself moved the heart of a pagan king to fulfill His word spoken through the prophet Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 25:11–12; 29:10). Jeremiah had prophesied that the captivity would last seventy years, and now that promise comes to pass.

Cyrus's proclamation (verse 2) is remarkable: he credits "the LORD God of heaven" with giving him his kingdoms and commanding him to build God's house. While Cyrus may not have been a believer in the biblical sense, God used his pagan administration to accomplish His sovereign purposes. Verse 3 extends an open invitation to all Jewish people: whoever has a willing heart may return to Jerusalem and participate in rebuilding the temple. The phrase "his God be with him" reflects the spiritual nature of this restoration—it is ultimately God's work.

Application: God's sovereignty extends over all earthly powers. We can trust that He orchestrates circumstances for His purposes, often working through unlikely instruments and ungodly rulers to accomplish His will.

Verses 4–6: The Generous Response

Cyrus's decree includes a practical dimension: those Jews who remain in Babylonia are to provide material support for those returning. Verse 4 specifies donations of silver, gold, goods, and beasts, along with freewill offerings for the temple—a beautiful picture of voluntary, heartfelt giving. The response is overwhelming. Verse 5 shows that the chiefs, priests, and Levites whose spirit God had raised willingly stepped forward. This parallels verse 1; just as God stirred Cyrus's heart, He stirred the hearts of His own people.

Verse 6 emphasizes the generosity of those remaining behind—even non-returning Jews gave liberally to strengthen the hands of the returning remnant. This demonstrates community solidarity and spiritual commitment across distance. The phrase "strengthened their hands" (a Hebrew idiom) means they encouraged and equipped them practically.

Application: When God calls His people to a task, He provides both the willingness and the resources. Christian giving flows from a heart stirred by God's Spirit, not from compulsion or mere duty.

Verses 7–11: The Restoration of the Temple Vessels

A deeply symbolic act occurs: Cyrus returns the holy vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had looted from the first temple and placed in Babylonian temples (verse 7). These items represent continuity with pre-exile worship. Mithredath, Cyrus's treasurer, officially numbers and releases them to Sheshbazzar, the prince (governor) of Judah. The inventory (verses 9–11) totals 5,400 vessels of gold and silver—a substantial collection emphasizing the temple's former glory and God's care in preserving these sacred items.

That Sheshbazzar brings these vessels "from Babylon unto Jerusalem" shows the complete reversal: what was taken in judgment is now restored in mercy.

Application: God never loses sight of what belongs to Him. He restores not only His people but the instruments of worship, reminding us that restoration involves the renewal of our service to Him.

Application for Today

Ezra 1 assures us that our God reigns over history and over human hearts. No exile is permanent for those who belong to Him, and no delay in His promises means unfaithfulness. When we face seasons of spiritual dryness or difficulty, we can remember that God stirs hearts—including our own—to return, rebuild, and worship. He calls us to generous participation in His kingdom work, and He provides what we need to answer that call.

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