Ezra 1:8 kjv
Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
Ezra 1:8 nkjv
and Cyrus king of Persia brought them out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.
Ezra 1:8 niv
Cyrus king of Persia had them brought by Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.
Ezra 1:8 esv
Cyrus king of Persia brought these out in the charge of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.
Ezra 1:8 nlt
Cyrus directed Mithredath, the treasurer of Persia, to count these items and present them to Sheshbazzar, the leader of the exiles returning to Judah.
Ezra 1 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 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." | God's specific naming and calling of Cyrus for His purposes. |
| Isa 45:1 | "Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden..." | Divine enablement and appointment of Cyrus, even as a pagan king. |
| Isa 45:13 | "I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways..." | God's sovereign control and guidance over Cyrus's actions. |
| Jer 25:11-12 | "And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD..." | Prophecy of 70 years of exile fulfilled by Cyrus's decree. |
| Jer 29:10 | "For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place." | God's promise of return after 70 years, directly connected to the actions of Ezra 1. |
| 2 Chr 36:22-23 | "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia... the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus... to make a proclamation..." | Parallel account, emphasizing divine stirring of Cyrus's heart. |
| Ezra 1:1-4 | "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia... the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus... to proclaim throughout all his kingdom..." | Contextual reference showing the edict preceding the act of handing over vessels. |
| 2 Kgs 24:13 | "And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said." | Initial taking of the Temple treasures by Nebuchadnezzar. |
| 2 Chr 36:18 | "And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon." | Confirms the removal of vessels by the Babylonians. |
| Dan 5:1-4 | "Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple..." | Desecration of the holy vessels, highlighting their eventual restoration. |
| Dan 5:23 | "But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords... have praised the gods of silver, and gold... but the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified." | Belshazzar's irreverence leading to judgment, underscoring the vessels' sanctity. |
| Zech 4:9 | "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it..." | Zerubbabel (often linked to Sheshbazzar's leadership role) and Temple rebuilding. |
| Neh 1:2 | "That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem." | Subsequent leadership (Nehemiah) continuing the work of restoration. |
| Ps 126:1 | "When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream." | Reflects the awe and wonder of the exiles at their unexpected return. |
| 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." | Theological principle that underpins God's use of Cyrus. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." | Reflects divine sovereignty elevating individuals for redemptive purposes (God raising Cyrus, then raising Christ). |
| Eph 1:11 | "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will..." | God's sovereign will orchestrating all events, including the return from exile. |
| Rom 9:17 | "For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee..." | God uses even ungodly rulers to fulfill His greater plan, a principle seen with Cyrus. |
| Isa 43:5-7 | "Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west... everyone that is called by my name..." | God's promise to regather His people, realized through actions like Cyrus'. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" | God calling His people out of bondage into His light, echoing the Exodus and return from exile. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." | Underscores the biblical understanding of governmental authority, including that of pagan kings, as ultimately established by God. |
Ezra 1 verses
Ezra 1 8 Meaning
Ezra 1:8 describes the meticulously orchestrated process of Cyrus, the King of Persia, retrieving and handing over the sacred vessels of the house of the Lord to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah. This act, facilitated by Mithredath the treasurer, marks a significant step in the promised return of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple, fulfilling God's divine purpose through a Gentile king.
Ezra 1 8 Context
Ezra chapter 1 sets the stage for the post-exilic restoration of Judah. After 70 years of Babylonian captivity, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy (Jer 29:10), God moves the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia, to issue a decree allowing the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4). This decree specifically grants permission, provides resources, and instructs them to rebuild. Verse 8, then, provides the practical implementation of this edict concerning the sacred Temple vessels, which were taken as spoil by Nebuchadnezzar when he conquered Jerusalem (2 Kgs 24:13; 2 Chr 36:18). This act highlights God's sovereignty over pagan rulers and His meticulous attention to the restoration of His covenant people and His holy worship.
Ezra 1 8 Word analysis
Even those: (Hebrew: גַּם אֵלֶּה, gam 'elleh) - Emphasizes the specific importance and value of these particular items—the holy vessels. It sets them apart as not merely general temple treasures but consecrated objects that must be handled with care. This points to the meticulousness of God's restoration.
did Cyrus king of Persia: (Hebrew: כּוֹרֶשׁ מֶלֶךְ פָּרַס, Koresh melech Paras) - Cyrus is identified by his full title, asserting his supreme authority in the Persian Empire. Yet, in the broader biblical narrative (Isa 44:28; 45:1), he is shown as an unwitting servant of Yahweh, chosen and directed by God to fulfill His divine will.
bring forth: (Hebrew: וַיֹּצִיאֵם, wayyoṣi’ēm) - From the root יָצָא (yatsa), meaning "to bring out" or "to go forth." It implies an intentional action of retrieval from the Babylonian treasury, where they had been kept for decades, indicating a deliberate and authorized act of restitution.
by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer: (Hebrew: עַל יַד מִתְרְדָת הַגִּזְבָּר, ʿal yad Mitredath haggizbar) - Mithredath, a Persian official, functions as the immediate human agent. "By the hand of" signifies delegation and execution of the king's command, ensuring an official and orderly process. His role as "the treasurer" (haggizbar, from גִּזְבָּר, gizbar) underscores financial and logistical accountability, crucial for such a significant transfer of valuable property.
and numbered them: (Hebrew: וַיִּסְפְּרֵם, wayyisperēm) - From the root סָפַר (sāphar), meaning "to count" or "to enumerate." This detail emphasizes the precision and verification involved. It signifies careful stewardship and acknowledges the sacred nature and value of the items, contrasting sharply with their profanation under Belshazzar (Dan 5:1-4).
unto Sheshbazzar: (Hebrew: לְשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּר, ləSheshbatzar) - Sheshbazzar is the specific recipient and custodian of the vessels. His Babylonian name indicates his connection to the exilic context.
the prince of Judah: (Hebrew: הַנָּשִׂיא לִיהוּדָה, hannāsī’ liYehudah) - "Prince" (נָשִׂיא, nāsī’) signifies a recognized leader or chief. This title bestows legitimate authority upon Sheshbazzar to receive and take responsibility for these sacred items. While often associated with Zerubbabel, his identity as a "prince of Judah" likely connects him to the Davidic line, providing a link to Judah's ancient lineage and future hope. This designation affirms God's preservation of legitimate leadership even during exile.
"Cyrus king of Persia bring forth...by the hand of Mithredath...and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar": This entire phrase encapsulates divine sovereignty working through secular channels. God stirs Cyrus, Cyrus acts through his treasurer, and the transfer of sacred items to Judah's legitimate leader is executed with bureaucratic precision, ensuring no room for dispute or loss.
"Numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah": This grouping emphasizes the restoration of divine order. The count signifies reverence for holy things, and their transfer to "the prince of Judah" represents the re-establishment of a divinely ordained, although fledgling, leadership for the returning community, paving the way for the reconstruction of both temple and nation.
Ezra 1 8 Bonus section
The return of the Temple vessels mentioned in Ezra 1:7-11 serves as a profound reversal of Belshazzar's sacrilegious feast in Daniel 5. There, the vessels were used in wanton disrespect, leading to the immediate downfall of Babylon. Here, Cyrus, following divine prompting, restores them to their rightful purpose and people. This acts as a theological polemic, powerfully declaring Yahweh's supremacy over all other deities and empires. Even precious metals and items, though inanimate, retain a special holiness because they are dedicated to God's service, and their restitution symbolizes the beginning of spiritual renewal. This historical event powerfully underpins the Christian understanding that God works through both His direct intervention and through the normal course of human politics and administration to achieve His eternal purposes, ensuring His promises are meticulously fulfilled.
Ezra 1 8 Commentary
Ezra 1:8 is a precise and potent illustration of God's unfailing faithfulness and sovereignty. It moves from the grand divine orchestration (God stirring Cyrus) to the granular details of implementing that divine will through human agents. Cyrus, despite being a pagan ruler, meticulously oversees the restoration of the Temple vessels, sacred items desecrated during the Babylonian conquest. This demonstrates God's profound control over all earthly powers and His intricate care for His people and the instruments of their worship. The exact numbering by Mithredath, a non-Israelite treasurer, further highlights the legal, bureaucratic, and undeniably physical reality of the transfer, ensuring their legitimacy and preventing future claims against their return. Sheshbazzar, "the prince of Judah," as the recipient, symbolizes the re-establishment of legitimate, God-appointed leadership within the returning community, anchoring the future Temple building in proper spiritual authority. The return of these vessels was not merely a logistical act; it was a powerful symbol of restored dignity, a concrete sign of God turning the captivity of Zion and reclaiming what was stolen, marking a critical step in the nation's spiritual and physical rebirth.