Ezra 1:2 kjv
Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Ezra 1:2 nkjv
Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the LORD God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.
Ezra 1:2 niv
"This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "?'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.
Ezra 1:2 esv
"Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Ezra 1:2 nlt
"This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: "The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Ezra 1 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prophecy Fulfilled | ||
| Jer 25:11-12 | This whole land shall be a desolation... after seventy years are accomplished... | End of 70-year exile. |
| Jer 29:10 | For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you... | God's timing for return. |
| Isa 44:28 | That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. | Cyrus as God's chosen agent for building Jerusalem and Temple. |
| Isa 45:1-7 | Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden... for Jacob my servant's sake... | God uses Cyrus for His purpose. |
| Dan 9:2 | I Daniel understood by books the number of the years... seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. | Daniel's understanding of exile's duration. |
| 2 Chr 36:21 | To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths. | Chronicler's context for exile and return. |
| God's Sovereignty Over Kings | ||
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. | God's control over rulers. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings. | God's absolute sovereignty over earthly power. |
| Dan 4:17 | To the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will... | God appoints and deposes rulers. |
| Ezra 7:6 | Ezra... was a ready scribe in the law of Moses... and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. | God's hand on Persian kings. |
| Ezra 7:27 | Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, who hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart... | God inspiring Persian rulers. |
| Rom 13:1 | For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. | All authority comes from God. |
| Psa 75:6-7 | For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west... But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. | God's role in leadership. |
| Temple Building and God's Dwelling | ||
| 1 Kgs 8:27-30 | But will God indeed dwell on the earth?... Hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel... | Solomon's dedication, God's dwelling place. |
| Isa 66:1-2 | Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool... but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit... | God's omnipresence vs. dwelling with humble. |
| Neh 1:4-6 | O Lord God of heaven, the great and dreadful God... that giveth ear to the prayer of thy servant... | Prayer invoking "God of Heaven" related to Jerusalem's walls. |
| Hag 1:8 | Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. | Exhortation to rebuild the Temple. |
| Return from Exile | ||
| Ezra 1:3 | Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem... | Cyrus inviting returnees. |
| Neh 1:9 | If ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments... though there were of you cast out into the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them... | Promise of gathering dispersed people. |
| Isa 11:11 | And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people... | Prophecy of future returns. |
Ezra 1 verses
Ezra 1 2 Meaning
Ezra 1:2 records the momentous decree issued by King Cyrus of Persia, who publicly declared that the LORD, the God of Heaven, had bestowed upon him dominion over all the kingdoms of the earth. Furthermore, Cyrus affirmed that this same God had charged him with a specific divine commission: to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This decree signified the end of the Babylonian exile and the divine initiation of the return of the Jewish people to their land.
Ezra 1 2 Context
Ezra chapter 1 begins the account of the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and the subsequent rebuilding of the Temple. The book of Ezra effectively continues the narrative from 2 Chronicles 36, which concludes with a brief mention of Cyrus's decree. Ezra 1:2 specifically records this decree, positioning it immediately at the outset of the book to underscore that the entire return and rebuilding effort stemmed directly from a divinely-ordained word given through a Gentile king.
Historically, this verse marks a pivotal moment, occurring in the first year of Cyrus's reign over Babylon (539/538 BCE), after his conquest of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This decree represents the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy of 70 years of exile (Jer 25:11-12; 29:10) and Isaiah's remarkable prophecy naming Cyrus himself (Isa 44:28; 45:1-7) long before his birth. The Edict of Cyrus, confirmed by archaeological findings (the Cyrus Cylinder), reveals a general policy of returning captured deities and peoples to their homelands. However, the biblical account uniquely interprets this decree as stemming directly from the LORD's prompting of Cyrus. It contrasts with the previous Babylonian policy of forced assimilation and relocation.
Ezra 1 2 Word analysis
- Thus saith (כֹּה אָמַר, koh amar): A standard phrase in ancient Near Eastern royal decrees and prophetic declarations, signifying formal, authoritative pronouncement. Its usage here links the king's decree to divine oracles.
- Cyrus (כּוֹרֶשׁ, Koresh): The Aramaic form of the Persian king's name, Kuruš. His appearance signifies the fulfillment of prophecy (Isa 44:28).
- king of Persia (מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס, melekh Paras): Identifies the empire now dominant, which superseded Babylon. This shift in world powers aligns with prophetic visions (e.g., Dan 2, 7).
- The LORD God of heaven (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם, Yahweh Elohei Hashamayim): This unique and significant title for God emphasizes His supreme authority over all creation and nations, transcending any local or national deity. In the post-exilic period (Ezra-Nehemiah, Dan), it likely served as a theological polemic against the territorial gods of other nations, asserting that the God of Israel is not confined to one land but rules universally. Cyrus's acknowledgement of Yahweh, though possibly politically motivated, is presented as divinely inspired.
- hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth (כֹּל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָרֶץ נָתַן לִי, kol mamlakhot ha'aretz natan li): Cyrus attributes his vast dominion not to his own power or pagan gods, but to the LORD God of heaven. This highlights God's sovereign control over world empires and leaders. It challenges the common belief that only national deities could bestow power within their territory.
- and he hath charged me (וְהוּא פָּקַד עָלַי, v'hu pakad alai): The Hebrew verb pakad carries the sense of appointing, commissioning, visiting, or specifically charging someone with a task. It signifies a divine mandate given directly to Cyrus by God, not merely a political decision.
- to build him an house (לִבְנוֹת לוֹ בַיִת, livnot lo bayit): "House" (בַיִת, bayit) here unequivocally refers to the Temple in Jerusalem. It emphasizes that this project is for God Himself, not for Israel's political power. The task of building was previously given to Solomon (2 Sam 7:13).
- at Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, Biyrushalayim): The specific and holy city where the Temple stood, central to Israel's identity and worship. The designation reinforces the continuity of God's covenant with His people and the centrality of His chosen dwelling place.
Ezra 1 2 Bonus section
- The detail of Cyrus specifically being "charged" by the LORD distinguishes this act from other Persian policies of return for various peoples, highlighting a unique divine impetus for the return of the Jewish exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
- The biblical portrayal of Cyrus, while acknowledging his political realities (as seen on the Cyrus Cylinder), is a theological interpretation that God used a Gentile ruler as His "shepherd" (Isa 44:28) to gather His scattered flock, providing an early foreshadowing of God's salvation plan encompassing the Gentiles.
- This verse counters any potential despair among the exiles, assuring them that their return and rebuilding were not a risky venture dependent on human will alone, but the certain outcome of God's powerful and sovereign decree, bringing hope and validation to their endeavors.
Ezra 1 2 Commentary
Ezra 1:2 serves as the theological linchpin for the book of Ezra, immediately establishing that the momentous events to follow are a direct result of divine orchestration, not mere historical coincidence or human ingenuity. Cyrus, the most powerful man of his age, unknowingly or knowingly became a divinely appointed instrument in fulfilling God's long-standing promises. The phrase "The LORD God of heaven" is profoundly significant, articulating a robust monotheistic theology that transcends geographical and political boundaries, asserting Yahweh's universal dominion even through pagan rulers. This challenged the pagan concept of national deities with limited power.
This verse not only confirms the fulfillment of Jeremiah's seventy-year prophecy of exile's end but also vividly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty over human kings and kingdoms. The decree is presented as a divine charge (pakad), transforming what might appear to be a political expediency of a benevolent conqueror into a clear act of God's providence. It signals God's faithfulness to His covenant people, remembering them even in their lowest state and empowering a foreign king to facilitate their return and the restoration of their worship center. The Temple rebuilding was essential not just for physical presence, but for spiritual renewal and the re-establishment of the covenant community centered on God's dwelling. This highlights that God uses all things, including the actions of unbelievers, to accomplish His redemptive plan, ultimately for His glory.