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Ezra1

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

3Whosoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.

4And whosoever is left, in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the freewill-offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

5Then rose up the heads of fathers’ houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem.

6And all they that were round about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.

7Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of Jehovah, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;

8even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.

9And this is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, a thousand platters of silver, nine and twenty knives,

10thirty bowls of gold, silver bowls of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.

11All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Ezra 1.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The proclamation of Cyrus for the rebuilding of the temple. (1–4). The people provide for their return. (5–11).

vv1-4

The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. The hearts of kings are in the hand of the Lord. God governs the world by his influence on the spirits of men; whatever good they do, God stirs up their spirits to do it. It was during the captivity of the Jews, that God principally employed them as the means of calling the attention of the heathen to him. Cyrus took it for granted, that those among the Jews who were able, would offer free-will offerings for the house of God. He would also have them supplied out of his kingdom. Well-wishers to the temple should be well-doers for it.

vv5-11

The same God that raised up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim liberty to the Jews, raised up their spirits to take the benefit. The temptation was to some to stay in Babylon; but some feared not to return, and they were those whose spirits God raised, by his Spirit and grace. Whatever good we do, is owing to the grace of God. Our spirits naturally bow down to this earth and the things of it; if they move upward in any good affections or good actions, it is God who raises them. The calls and offers of the gospel are like the proclamation of Cyrus. Those bound under the power of sin, may be made free by Jesus Christ. Whosoever will, by repentance and faith, return to God, Jesus Christ has opened the way for him, and raises him out of the slavery of sin into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Many that hear this joyful sound, choose to sit still in Babylon, are in love with their sins, and will not venture upon a holy life; but some break through all discouragements, whatever it cost them; they are those whose spirit God has raised above the world and the flesh, whom he has made willing. Thus will the heavenly Canaan be filled, though many perish in Babylon; and the gospel offer will not have been made in vain. The bringing back the Jews from captivity, represents the redemption of sinners by Jesus Christ.

Cross References

Ezra 1

Verbatim parallel describing Cyrus's first year, the Jeremiah prophecy, and the Lord stirring his spirit.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Isaiah 44:28fulfillment

Isaiah's prophecy explicitly naming Cyrus and charging him to say of Jerusalem, 'She shall be built.'

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Jeremiah 29:10fulfillment

Jeremiah's prophecy of a seventy-year Babylon limit, which Cyrus's decree now fulfills.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v1Isaiah 45:1fulfillment

Prophetic address to Cyrus, the Lord's anointed, whose right hand God held to subdue nations.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

The direct parallel text recording Cyrus's proclamation that God charged him to build the house.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Proverbs 21:1thematic

Illustrates how the king's heart is in the hand of Yahweh, who stirred up Cyrus's spirit.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v1Jeremiah 25:12-14fulfillment

The foundational prophecy of seventy years of Babylonian rule before their punishment and Israel's restoration.

Supported by JFB

v2Isaiah 45:13fulfillment

Prophecy that Cyrus would build God's city and let His exiles go free without price.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v72 Kings 24:13contrast

Records Nebuchadnezzar carrying off and cutting off/pieces the golden vessels that Cyrus now restores.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v5Haggai 1:14thematic

Parallels God stirring up the spirit of Zerubbabel and the people to build the house.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v7Ezra 5:14thematic

Provides historical continuity, detailing the return of these specific vessels to Sheshbazzar.

Supported by JFB

v7Jeremiah 27:22fulfillment

Prophesied that the temple vessels carried to Babylon would remain there until God visited them.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v7Daniel 1:2thematic

Records how Nebuchadnezzar originally carried the vessels to the house of his god in Shinar.

Supported by JFB

Historical record of Nebuchadnezzar putting the temple vessels in his temple at Babylon.

Supported by JFB

v11Ezra 2:2thematic

Identifies Zerubbabel (Sheshbazzar) as the leader of those returning from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Supported by JFB