Ezra 5 13

Ezra 5:13 kjv

But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

Ezra 5:13 nkjv

However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to build this house of God.

Ezra 5:13 niv

"However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree to rebuild this house of God.

Ezra 5:13 esv

However, in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, Cyrus the king made a decree that this house of God should be rebuilt.

Ezra 5:13 nlt

However, King Cyrus of Babylon, during the first year of his reign, issued a decree that the Temple of God should be rebuilt.

Ezra 5 verses

Ezra 5 13 Meaning

Ezra 5:13 recounts a pivotal historical fact presented by the Jewish leaders to the Persian governor Tattenai: in the very first year of his reign over Babylon, King Cyrus issued a direct and official decree permitting and indeed mandating the rebuilding of God's Temple in Jerusalem. This verse establishes the fundamental legal and divine authority behind the restoration efforts, emphasizing that the work was not an unauthorized act but a direct result of royal command, initiated by a sovereign king, fulfilling God's ancient purposes.

Ezra 5 13 Context

Ezra chapter 5 begins with the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stirring up Zerubbabel and Jeshua, the spiritual and political leaders, to resume the work of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. This was after a significant delay caused by local opposition (as detailed in Ezra chapter 4). Upon resuming, they were immediately challenged by Tattenai, the governor of the province Beyond the River (Trans-Euphrates), who questioned their authority and asked for the names of the men carrying out the work. Ezra 5:13 forms a crucial part of the Jewish leaders' confident response to Tattenai, presenting the legal and divine mandate for their actions. They articulate a historical account, beginning with King Cyrus's original decree, which served as the unassailable foundation for their present endeavors. The broader historical context is the post-exilic period, roughly 520 BC, when the Jewish people had returned from Babylon after 70 years, aiming to restore their national and religious life, central to which was the rebuilt Temple. This verse sets the stage for a search for Cyrus's original decree in the Persian archives, as described later in Ezra chapter 6, confirming its legitimacy.

Ezra 5 13 Word analysis

• But (לְהֵן - ləḥên): This Aramaic connective word indicates a transition or an emphatic statement, setting apart what follows as a key clarification or counter-argument. Here, it introduces the critical historical explanation to Tattenai’s inquiry, moving from a direct assertion of building to the legal basis.
• in the first year (בִּשְׁנַת חֲדָא - bišnaṯ ḥăḏā’): "First year" signifies a precise, landmark point in time, indicating the inception of a new reign and the issuance of foundational policies. For Cyrus, it marks his conquering of Babylon (539 BC) and thus his formal assumption of rule over its territories, including Judah. This chronological specificity adds historical weight and verifiability to the decree.
• Cyrus (כּוֹרֶשׁ - kōwreš): The personal name of the Persian king, founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Biblically, Cyrus is a unique figure prophesied by Isaiah a century and a half before his birth (Isa 44:28; 45:1). His action in decreeing the Temple rebuilding highlights God's sovereignty over gentile kings, using them as instruments for His divine purposes, thus demonstrating the Lord's absolute rule over history and nations.
• king of Babylon (מַלְכָּא דִּי־בָבֶל - malkāʾ dī-ḇāḇel): While Cyrus was Persian by birth and ultimately "King of Persia," his designation here as "king of Babylon" emphasizes his immediate authority over the conquered Babylonian empire, which formerly held Judah in exile. This title validates his imperial decree as having jurisdiction over Judah and establishes him as the successor to the very power that destroyed the first Temple. This designation is crucial for Tattenai, the local governor under Persian rule.
• King Cyrus (כּוֹרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא - kōwreš malkāʾ): The repetition of "King Cyrus" reinforces his supreme, unchallenged authority in issuing such a decree. It removes any doubt about the source of the edict, stressing his official royal capacity.
• issued a decree (שָׂם טְעֵם - śām ṭə‘ēm): Literally, "placed a taste" or "gave a command/decree." The Aramaic term ṭə‘ēm refers to an official command, an administrative order, or a pronouncement with legal binding force. It signifies that the action was a formal, public, and legally established imperial directive, not merely a casual permission. This phrasing implies deliberation and authoritative intention on the king's part, under divine inspiration.
• for the rebuilding (לְמִבְנֵא - ləmiḇnēʾ): Literally, "to build." This directly states the purpose of the decree: the construction of the Temple. It clarifies that Cyrus's edict specifically allowed and encouraged the rebuilding of the house of God, giving the current work undeniable historical precedent and legality.
• this house of God (בֵּית אֱלָהָא דָךְ - bēṯ ʾĔlāhāʾ dāḵ): "This" (dāḵ) points to the specific Temple in Jerusalem, making the context unambiguous. "House of God" is a common biblical designation for the Jerusalem Temple, signifying its sacred status as the dwelling place of the Most High (Beth Elohim), distinct from any pagan shrine. Its restoration was central to the re-establishment of the covenant community's relationship with God.

Words-group Analysis:

• "But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon, King Cyrus issued a decree": This phrase precisely dates and attributes the source of authority. The specific date ("first year") anchors the decree historically, and the dual mention of "Cyrus king of Babylon" emphasizes the overwhelming political power behind the command. The phrasing highlights that this was a foundational act of his new imperial reign. It also implies divine direction for the king’s heart, a theme present in biblical wisdom and prophecy.
• "for the rebuilding of this house of God": This clarifies the object and purpose of the decree. It was not merely a general permission for people to return, but a specific authorization and impetus for the sacred task of restoring the Temple, God's dwelling place. This makes the Temple central to the restoration of Jewish worship and national identity. The act of rebuilding was not a secular project but a religiously significant one, divinely sanctioned.

Ezra 5 13 Bonus section

The Aramaic text of Ezra (Ezra 4:8–6:18 and 7:12–26, including this verse) suggests it might derive from official Persian governmental documents or diplomatic correspondence. This gives the decree a highly reliable historical basis. The narrative emphasizes divine sovereignty in moving the heart of a powerful pagan ruler like Cyrus, showcasing God's ability to use anyone, regardless of their personal faith, to achieve His plans for His people and for His worship. This aligns with broader biblical themes of God's universal dominion. Furthermore, the explicit permission "for the rebuilding" implies that this was not merely permission to return to the land, but a specific royal endorsement for the Temple's restoration, validating its sacred status and central importance to the repatriated community.

Ezra 5 13 Commentary

Ezra 5:13 stands as a linchpin in the narrative of the post-exilic restoration. It’s a declaration of a legal and historical truth by the Jewish leaders, acting as the foundation for their claim to resume Temple building. The specificity of "the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon" is crucial, underscoring that this was not a casual assent but a formal, early policy decision by the new Persian overlord. This policy represented a radical shift from the prior Babylonian empire’s practices, directly fulfilling biblical prophecies (e.g., Isa 44:28, Jer 29:10). The emphasis on "Cyrus king of Babylon" acknowledges his complete control over the formerly captive territories and validates his authority over the region where Judah was situated. The issuance of a "decree" (Aramaic ṭə‘ēm) signified an unchallengeable royal edict, cementing the legitimacy of the rebuilding effort. By appealing to this historical and divinely inspired mandate, the Jewish leaders not only provided a legally sound defense to Tattenai but also reinforced their theological conviction that God Himself, through the actions of a gentile monarch, was sovereignly guiding the restoration of His "house." This serves as a powerful testament to God's orchestrating hand in secular affairs to accomplish His redemptive purposes.