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Ezra 1

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 1 of 10

1 ¶ And in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, so that the Word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he caused a voice to pass throughout all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying,

2 So says Cyrus king of Persia, Jehovah God of Heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

3 Who is there among you of all His people? His God is with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, God of Israel (He is God) which is in Jerusalem.

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Chapter Summary

1 The proclamation of Cyrus for the building of the temple. 7 Cyrus restores the vessels of the temple to Sheshbazzar.

Key Hebrew Words

בַּ֫יִת house (temple) H1004 · TWOT 241
בָּנָה build H1129 · TWOT 255
כְּלִי vessels H3627 · TWOT 982g
רוּחַ spirit H7307 · TWOT 2131a
נְדָבָה free-will offering H5071 · TWOT 1299a
גּוֹלָה the exiles H1473 · TWOT 350a

People & Context

Cyrus

King of Persia whose spirit Jehovah stirred to decree the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem

Jeremiah

Prophet whose word of Jehovah was fulfilled through Cyrus's proclamation

Nebuchadnezzar

Former king of Babylon who had carried off the temple vessels to his gods' house

Sheshbazzar

Prince of Judah to whom the temple vessels were numbered and who brought them back from Babylon

Mithredath

Treasurer of Cyrus by whose hand the temple vessels were brought forth and counted

Timeline

Cyrus's Decree to Rebuild the Temple

In his first year, Cyrus king of Persia issues a decree fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy, commanding the rebuilding of the house of God in Jerusalem and asking the people to support the returning exiles.

Ezra 1:1-4
The People Prepare to Return

The heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with priests, Levites, and those stirred by God, prepare to go to Jerusalem. Neighbors support them with vessels of silver, gold, and animals.

Ezra 1:5-6
Cyrus Returns the Temple Vessels

Cyrus brings out the thousands of gold and silver temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar and delivers them to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah, to be taken to Jerusalem.

Ezra 1:7-11

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