Ezra 1:5 kjv
Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:5 nkjv
Then the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, with all whose spirits God had moved, arose to go up and build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:5 niv
Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites?everyone whose heart God had moved?prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:5 esv
Then rose up the heads of the fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and the Levites, everyone whose spirit God had stirred to go up to rebuild the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:5 nlt
Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the LORD.
Ezra 1 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 35:21 | And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing... | God stirring hearts for His work |
| 1 Chr 29:9 | Then the people rejoiced... for with a whole heart they offered willingly to the LORD... | Freewill offering prompted by God's spirit |
| Phil 2:13 | for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | God's working within believers' will |
| Hag 1:14 | So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel... and the spirit of Joshua... and the spirit of all the remnant... | God stirs hearts for Temple rebuilding |
| Neh 2:12 | I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart... | God putting a desire/burden in someone's heart |
| 1 Cor 15:10 | But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. No, I worked harder... | Divine grace enabling human effort |
| Isa 44:28 | ...who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’ | God using Gentile rulers for His plans |
| Jer 29:10 | “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill my good word to you, in bringing you back to this place. | Prophecy of return after seventy years |
| Ezek 36:26-27 | I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... and cause you to walk in my statutes... | God giving new hearts to follow His will |
| Ps 110:3 | Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments from the womb of the morning, like dew your youth will come to you. | God's people willingly serving Him |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. | Voluntary and willing giving/action |
| Josh 1:16 | And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go." | Leadership and people's obedience |
| Isa 11:11 | In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant... | Divine purpose in gathering the remnant |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. | God orchestrating events for His purposes |
| Ezra 5:1 | Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet... prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem... | Divine encouragement for Temple building |
| Zech 4:9 | “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it." | Divine assurance for completing the Temple |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | Restoration leading to wider purpose (nations) |
| Eph 2:10 | For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand... | God prepares good works for believers |
| Ezra 7:9 | For on the first day of the first month he began to go up from Babylonia... | Ezra's later journey "to go up" |
| 1 Chr 9:2 | Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in the cities of Israel were Israelite priests, Levites, and temple servants. | Re-establishing groups in their roles |
| Heb 10:25 | ...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. | Importance of assembling and encouraging |
Ezra 1 verses
Ezra 1 5 Meaning
Ezra 1:5 describes the immediate and willing response of various groups among the exiled Israelites to King Cyrus's decree. It highlights that the leaders from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites, and indeed all those whose inner spirit had been divinely moved, rose up to initiate the journey back to Jerusalem with the express purpose of rebuilding the house of the Lord, the Temple. This verse emphasizes divine orchestration and enablement behind the human willingness and action.
Ezra 1 5 Context
Ezra 1:5 follows King Cyrus's decree in Ezra 1:1-4, which permitted and encouraged the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This decree, issued in the first year of Cyrus's reign (around 538 BC), fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecy of seventy years of Babylonian captivity (Jer 25:11-12, 29:10) and Isaiah's specific prophecy concerning Cyrus as God's instrument (Isa 44:28, 45:13). The historical context is the immediate post-exilic period, marking the end of the Babylonian captivity and the beginning of the Persian era of influence over Judea. This verse introduces the first wave of returnees, signifying a pivotal moment of restoration and renewal for the Jewish people after decades in exile, and initiating the process of rebuilding not just a physical structure, but their national and religious identity in the promised land.
Ezra 1 5 Word analysis
- Then rose up (וַיָּקֻ֙מוּ֙ - vayyaqumu): From the root קוּם (qum), meaning "to arise, stand up." Here, it signifies taking action, a decisive movement towards fulfilling the decree. It implies an active and ready response, rather than passive contemplation.
- the heads of the fathers' houses (רָאשֵׁ֣י הָאָב֔וֹת - rashei ha'avot): Literally, "heads of the fathers," referring to the leading men or patriarchal heads of families and clans. This indicates an organized, structured return led by recognized authorities, not a disorganized exodus. It underscores the communal and hereditary basis of Israelite society.
- of Judah and Benjamin: These were the primary tribes that formed the Southern Kingdom of Judah, which endured the Babylonian exile. Their return signifies the re-establishment of the core remnant of the Jewish people in their ancestral land. Their specific mention emphasizes the continuity of Israelite identity.
- and the priests and the Levites: These religious classes were essential for the restoration of Temple worship, sacrificial systems, and adherence to Mosaic law. Their immediate participation underscored the spiritual and theological priority of rebuilding the "house of the Lord." Their role legitimizes the religious aspect of the return and rebuilding.
- with all whose spirit God had stirred (אֲשֶׁר֩ הֵעִ֨יר הָאֱלֹהִ֤ים אֶת־רוּח֔וֹ - 'asher he'ir ha'elohim et rucho): This is a central theological point.
- "stirred" (he'ir) comes from the root עוּר ('ur), meaning "to awaken, rouse, excite." It denotes a divine activation, prompting inner motivation and willingness. It is not coercion but an enabling of the will.
- "God" (Ha'elohim) emphasizes the divine agency behind human actions.
- "spirit" (ruach) refers to the innermost being, the seat of mind, will, and emotion. It implies God working supernaturally within a person to create the desire and willingness to obey. This polemics against the idea that the return was solely a political maneuver or human ambition; it was a divine impetus.
- to go up (לַֽעֲל֖וֹת - la'alot): A common biblical term, specifically "aliyah," meaning to ascend, usually to a higher place, but especially to Jerusalem which is geographically elevated and spiritually significant as God's chosen city. This is more than travel; it signifies a spiritual pilgrimage and act of devotion.
- to build the house of the Lord (לִבְנ֛וֹת אֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה - livnot et beit Adonai): The ultimate and explicit purpose of their return. "House of the Lord" (beit Adonai) is the Temple, the focal point of Israelite worship and the dwelling place of God's presence. The act of building represents restoration of covenant relationship, proper worship, and national identity centered on God.
Ezra 1 5 Bonus section
The composition of the first wave of returnees — specifically mentioning Judah, Benjamin, priests, and Levites — is significant. While remnants from other tribes might have also joined, the focus on these groups emphasizes the core of the post-exilic community. Judah was the tribe from which kings (like David and his lineage, including future Messiah) emerged, and Benjamin was intrinsically linked to Jerusalem's territory. The inclusion of priests and Levites signifies that the priority was indeed the religious life and Temple worship, reflecting a deepened commitment after the disciplinary period of exile, and moving away from the idolatry that had plagued the nation before its captivity. This strategic selection highlights the foundation for the future of God's people in the land.
Ezra 1 5 Commentary
Ezra 1:5 encapsulates the vital interplay between divine sovereignty and human volition in carrying out God's redemptive plans. Following Cyrus's divinely prompted decree, the leaders of Judah and Benjamin, alongside the dedicated priests and Levites, took decisive action. Crucially, their motivation was not solely external political permission, but an internal, supernatural stirring by God Himself. This phrase, "whose spirit God had stirred," underscores that the capacity and willingness for such a daunting undertaking — journeying hundreds of miles into a desolate homeland to rebuild a long-destroyed temple — originated from a divine impetus. It demonstrates that God's work, especially the restoration of His people and worship, is initiated and empowered by Him, creating in individuals and communities the very desire and energy to obey His call. It was a clear demonstration of faith and obedience, laying the groundwork for the physical and spiritual restoration of Jerusalem and its worship life.