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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezra 1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/1-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/15_Ezr_01_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 1:1 - The Proclamation of Cyrus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows:" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezra/1-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezra/1-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezra/">Ezra</a> > <a href="/ezra/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-23.htm" title="2 Chronicles 36:23">◄</a> Ezra 1:1 <a href="/ezra/1-2.htm" title="Ezra 1:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ezra/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ezra/1.htm">New International Version</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: <a href="/nlt/ezra/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD fulfilled the prophecy he had given through Jeremiah. He stirred the heart of Cyrus to put this proclamation in writing and to send it throughout his kingdom: <a href="/esv/ezra/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: <a href="/bsb/ezra/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: <a href="/kjv/ezra/1.htm">King James Bible</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, <a href="/nkjv/ezra/1.htm">New King James Version</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, <a href="/nasb_/ezra/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: <a href="/nasb/ezra/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: <a href="/nasb77/ezra/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, <a href="/lsb/ezra/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia—in order to complete the word of Yahweh from the mouth of Jeremiah—Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he had a proclamation pass throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: <a href="/amp/ezra/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia [that is, the first year he ruled Babylon], in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah [the prophet], the LORD stirred up (put in motion) the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying: <a href="/csb/ezra/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD roused the spirit of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing: <a href="/hcsb/ezra/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The LORD put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing: <a href="/asv/ezra/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now 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, <a href="/cev/ezra/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Years ago the LORD sent Jeremiah with a message about a promise for the people of Israel. Then in the first year that Cyrus was king of Persia, the LORD kept his promise by telling Cyrus to send this official message to all parts of his kingdom: <a href="/erv/ezra/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, <a href="/gwt/ezra/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The promise the LORD had spoken through Jeremiah was about to come true in Cyrus' first year as king of Persia. The LORD inspired the king to make this announcement throughout his whole kingdom and then to put it in writing. <a href="/gnt/ezra/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> In the first year that Cyrus of Persia was emperor, the LORD made what he had said through the prophet Jeremiah come true. He prompted Cyrus to issue the following command and send it out in writing to be read aloud everywhere in his empire: <a href="/isv/ezra/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> During the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in fulfillment of the message from the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD prompted Cyrus, king of Persia, to make this proclamation throughout his entire kingdom, which was also released in written form: <a href="/net/ezra/1.htm">NET Bible</a> In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order to fulfill the LORD's message spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the mind of King Cyrus of Persia. He disseminated a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom, announcing in a written edict the following: <a href="/nheb/ezra/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now in the first year of Kurush king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Kurush king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, <a href="/wbt/ezra/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/ezra/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: <a href="/web/ezra/1.htm">World English Bible</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh 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, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezra/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, at the completion of the word of YHWH from the mouth of Jeremiah, has YHWH awoken the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he causes an intimation to pass over into all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying, <a href="/ylt/ezra/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, at the completion of the word of Jehovah from the mouth of Jeremiah, hath Jehovah waked up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he causeth an intimation to pass over into all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying, <a href="/slt/ezra/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In one year to Cyrus the king of Persia, to complete the word of Jehovah from the month of Jeremiah, Jehovah roused up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he will cause a voice to pass through in all his kingdom, and also in writing, saying,<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezra/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremias might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians: and he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and in writing also, saying: <a href="/cpdv/ezra/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> In the first year of Cyrus, king of the Persians, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of the Persians, so that the word of the Lord from the mouth of Jeremiah would be fulfilled. And he sent out a voice, throughout his entire kingdom, and also in writing, saying: <a href="/nabre/ezra/1.htm">New American Bible</a> In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom, both by word of mouth and in writing: <a href="/nrsvce/ezra/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, in order that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia so that he sent a herald throughout all his kingdom, and also in a written edict declared:<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezra/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> NOW in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah the prophet might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, and he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying, <a href="/hpbt/ezra/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> In the year one for Kurash (Cyrus) the King of Persia, for the fulfillment of the word of LORD JEHOVAH from the word of Jeremiah the Prophet, LORD JEHOVAH awakened the spirit of the King of Persia, and he brought a voice into all his kingdom, also in writing, saying:<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezra/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> NOW IN the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying: <a href="/sep/ezra/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of the Persians, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremias might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of the Persians, and he issued a proclamation through all his kingdom, and that in writing, saying, <a href="/parallel/ezra/1-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezra/1.htm">The Proclamation of Cyrus</a> …23“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’ ” 1<a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’a·ḥaṯ (Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">In the first</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: ū·ḇiš·naṯ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">year</a> <a href="/hebrew/3566.htm" title="3566: lə·ḵō·w·reš (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A Pers. king. Or (last time), Ezra 1:2) Koresh; from the Persians; Koresh, the Persian king.">of Cyrus</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/6539.htm" title="6539: pā·ras (N-proper-fs) -- A country in W. Asia which conquered Bab. Of foreign origin; Paras, an Eastern country, including its inhabitants.">of Persia,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3615.htm" title="3615: liḵ·lō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent. A primitive root; to end, whether intransitive or transitived.">to fulfill</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: də·ḇar- (N-msc) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">the word</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: mip·pî (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">spoken</a> <a href="/hebrew/3414.htm" title="3414: yir·mə·yāh (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yirmyahuw; from ruwm and Yahh; Jah will rise; Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites.">through Jeremiah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/5782.htm" title="5782: hê·‘îr (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To rouse oneself, awake. A primitive root; to wake.">stirred</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7307.htm" title="7307: rū·aḥ (N-csc) -- Breath, wind, spirit. From ruwach; wind; by resemblance breath.">the spirit</a> <a href="/hebrew/3566.htm" title="3566: kō·reš (N-proper-ms) -- A Pers. king. Or (last time), Ezra 1:2) Koresh; from the Persians; Koresh, the Persian king.">of Cyrus</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ- (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/6539.htm" title="6539: pā·ras (N-proper-fs) -- A country in W. Asia which conquered Bab. Of foreign origin; Paras, an Eastern country, including its inhabitants.">of Persia</a> <a href="/hebrew/5674.htm" title="5674: way·ya·‘ă·ḇer- (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To pass over, through, or by, pass on. A primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition; specifically, to cover.">to send</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">a proclamation</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">throughout</a> <a href="/hebrew/4438.htm" title="4438: mal·ḵū·ṯōw (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom. Or malkuth; or malkuyah; from malak; a rule; concretely, a dominion.">his kingdom</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/4385.htm" title="4385: bə·miḵ·tāḇ (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Writing. From kathab; a thing written, the characters, or a document.">to put it in writing</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">as follows:</a> 2“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">2 Chronicles 36:22-23</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’” <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10</a> For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a> who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’” <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1</a> This is what the LORD says to Cyrus His anointed, whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him, to disarm kings, to open the doors before him, so that the gates will not be shut: <a href="/daniel/9-2.htm">Daniel 9:2</a> in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. <a href="/jeremiah/25-12.htm">Jeremiah 25:12</a> But when seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it an everlasting desolation. <a href="/jeremiah/27-22.htm">Jeremiah 27:22</a> ‘They will be carried to Babylon and will remain there until the day I attend to them again,’ declares the LORD. ‘Then I will bring them back and restore them to this place.’” <a href="/haggai/1-1.htm">Haggai 1:1</a> In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating <a href="/zechariah/1-1.htm">Zechariah 1:1</a> In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying: <a href="/1_kings/8-50.htm">1 Kings 8:50</a> May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy. <a href="/2_kings/24-14.htm">2 Kings 24:14</a> He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained. <a href="/2_kings/25-11.htm">2 Kings 25:11</a> Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the population. <a href="/nehemiah/1-1.htm">Nehemiah 1:1-3</a> These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, / Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. / And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” <a href="/nehemiah/2-8.htm">Nehemiah 2:8</a> And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. <a href="/matthew/1-17.htm">Matthew 1:17</a> In all, then, there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,Now in the<a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">2 Chronicles 36:22,23</a> Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, … by the mouth<a href="/jeremiah/25-12.htm">Jeremiah 25:12-14</a> 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, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations… <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10</a> 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.<a href="/jeremiah/33-7.htm">Jeremiah 33:7-13</a> And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first… the Lord<a href="/ezra/5-13.htm">Ezra 5:13-15</a> But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God… <a href="/ezra/6-22.htm">Ezra 6:22</a> And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.<a href="/ezra/7-27.htm">Ezra 7:27</a> Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:made a proclamation.<a href="/matthew/3-1.htm">Matthew 3:1-3</a> In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, … <a href="/john/1-23.htm">John 1:23</a> He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Accomplished</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-23.htm">Cyrus</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">First</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-21.htm">Fulfill</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-15.htm">Fulfilled</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Jeremiah</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Order</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-23.htm">Persia</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Proclamation</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Stirred</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Word</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezra/7-12.htm">Accomplished</a> <a href="/ezra/1-2.htm">Cyrus</a> <a href="/ezra/3-6.htm">First</a> <a href="/esther/5-8.htm">Fulfill</a> <a href="/esther/1-5.htm">Fulfilled</a> <a href="/nehemiah/10-2.htm">Jeremiah</a> <a href="/ezra/7-13.htm">Kingdom</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-20.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/ezra/3-10.htm">Order</a> <a href="/ezra/1-2.htm">Persia</a> <a href="/ezra/10-7.htm">Proclamation</a> <a href="/ezra/1-5.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/ezra/1-5.htm">Stirred</a> <a href="/ezra/10-7.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/ezra/4-14.htm">Word</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Writing</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 1</div>1. <a href="/ezra/1-1.htm">The proclamation of Cyrus for the building of the temple</a> 5. <a href="/ezra/1-5.htm">The people provide for their return</a> 7. <a href="/ezra/1-7.htm">Cyrus restores the vessels of the temple to Sheshbazzar</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezra/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia This phrase marks a significant historical moment, around 538 BC, when Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire, began his reign over Babylon. Cyrus is noted for his policy of religious tolerance and his decree allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands. This aligns with historical records, such as the Cyrus Cylinder, which corroborates his approach to governance. His reign is pivotal in biblical history as it marks the end of the Babylonian captivity for the Jews.to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah This refers to the prophecy found in <a href="/jeremiah/25-11.htm">Jeremiah 25:11-12 and 29</a>:10, where Jeremiah foretold that the Babylonian exile would last seventy years. The return of the Jews to Jerusalem under Cyrus's decree is seen as the fulfillment of this prophecy, demonstrating God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises. This fulfillment underscores the reliability of prophetic scripture and God's control over historical events.the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia This indicates divine intervention, where God influences the heart of a pagan king to accomplish His purposes. It highlights the theme of God's sovereignty over all nations and rulers, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/21.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a>, which states that the king's heart is in the hand of the LORD. This stirring of Cyrus's spirit is a testament to God's ability to use even those outside the covenant community to fulfill His divine plans.to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom Cyrus's decree was not only a political act but also a fulfillment of divine prophecy. The proclamation was sent throughout the vast Persian Empire, which stretched from the Indus Valley to the Aegean Sea, ensuring that all exiled peoples, including the Jews, were aware of their opportunity to return home. This widespread announcement reflects the extensive reach and influence of the Persian Empire at the time.and to put it in writing as follows: The act of putting the proclamation in writing signifies its official and binding nature. Written decrees were a common practice in the ancient Near East to ensure the permanence and authority of royal commands. This written decree aligns with the biblical emphasis on the importance of written records, as seen in other parts of scripture, such as the Ten Commandments and the Book of the Law. It also serves as a historical document that validates the biblical narrative of the return from exile.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/c/cyrus_king_of_persia.htm">Cyrus King of Persia</a> The ruler of the Persian Empire who issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. His actions were influenced by God to fulfill prophecy. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel who orchestrates events to fulfill His promises and prophecies, demonstrating His sovereignty over nations and rulers. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jeremiah.htm">Jeremiah</a> A prophet whose words from God predicted the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises. 4. <a href="/topical/p/proclamation.htm">Proclamation</a> The official decree issued by Cyrus, which was a pivotal moment in Jewish history, allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. 5. <a href="/topical/p/persia.htm">Persia</a> The empire that conquered Babylon and under whose rule the Jewish exiles were allowed to return to their homeland.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> God is in control of history and uses even pagan kings to accomplish His purposes. This reminds us that God can work through unexpected people and circumstances to fulfill His plans. <a href="/topical/f/fulfillment_of_prophecy.htm">Fulfillment of Prophecy</a> The return of the exiles demonstrates God's faithfulness to His word. Believers can trust that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect timing. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leaders.htm">The Role of Leaders</a> Cyrus's willingness to act on God's prompting shows the importance of leaders being open to divine guidance. This encourages us to pray for our leaders to be receptive to God's direction. <a href="/topical/d/divine_stirring.htm">Divine Stirring</a> Just as God stirred Cyrus's spirit, He can stir our hearts to act according to His will. We should be attentive to the Holy Spirit's prompting in our lives. <a href="/topical/h/hope_and_restoration.htm">Hope and Restoration</a> The decree of Cyrus marks the beginning of restoration for the Jewish people. It serves as a reminder that God can bring restoration and hope to seemingly hopeless situations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 1</a> <a href="/q/do_psalm_126_and_nehemiah_4_conflict.htm">Do the joyful descriptions in Psalm 126:2, 5–6 conflict with other biblical accounts (e.g., Nehemiah 4) that depict the return from exile as difficult and fraught with opposition? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_god_influence_cyrus_in_ezra_1_1.htm">In Ezra 1:1, how can God “stir up” a pagan king like Cyrus to fulfill a divine plan, when he worshiped other gods? </a> <a href="/q/how_do_ezra_2_64-65_totals_match_estimates.htm">How can the reported totals in Ezra 2:64–65 align with known population estimates of the region at that time? </a> <a href="/q/how_were_jerusalem's_walls_rebuilt.htm">How were Jerusalem's walls rebuilt?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezra/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>I. THE FIRST RETURN UNDER ZERUBBABEL.(1-4) The decree of Cyrus: marking an epoch of very great importance, and therefore repeated almost word for word from the end of Chronicles.(1) The first year.--Cyrus became king of Persia in B.C. 559. Twenty years afterwards he took Babylon from Belshazzar; and this first year of his rule in Babylon was his beginning as an agent in Jewish affairs and for the Kingdom of God.Stirred up.--By a direct influence, probably through the instrumentality of Daniel. This prophet we may suppose Cyrus to have found in Babylon, and to have had his mind directed to the express prediction of <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm" title="That said of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, You shall be built; and to the temple, Your foundation shall be laid.">Isaiah 44:28</a>, where his name is mentioned. But the writer, who again and again records the prophetic intervention of Haggai and Zechariah (<a href="/ezra/5-1.htm" title="Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even to them.">Ezra 5:1</a>; <a href="/ezra/6-14.htm" title="And the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.">Ezra 6:14</a>), makes no allusion to the part that Daniel the earlier prophet had taken. He refers only to the Divine prediction by Jeremiah, which must be fulfilled: "And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon" ( <a href="/jeremiah/25-12.htm" title="And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, said the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.">Jeremiah 25:12</a>); "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" (<a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm" title="For thus said 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.">Jeremiah 29:10</a>). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - In the first year of Cyrus. The context shows that it is the first year of Cyrus at Babylon which is intended. Cyrus the Great became King of Persia by his final defeat and capture of Astyages, in B.C. 559 probably. His conquest of Babylon was, comparatively speaking, late in his reign (Herod., Xenoph.), and is fixed by the Canon of Ptolemy to B.C. 538. He took the city on the night of Belshazzar's feast (<a href="/daniel/5-30.htm">Daniel 5:30</a>), when Daniel had just been appointed to the third place in the kingdom (ibid. ver. 29), and was practically at the head of affairs. Thus the great king and the great prophet of the time were brought into contact, and naturally conferred together, as may be gathered from Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 11:1). That the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled. The reference is to <a href="/jeremiah/25-11.htm">Jeremiah 25:11, 12</a>, and Jeremiah 29:10. Jeremiah had prophesied not only the fact, but the date of the return, by assigning to the captivity a duration of "seventy years." There might be some doubt when exactly this term would run out, since the year of 360 was in prophetic use no less than the year of 365 days ('Dict. of the Bible,' s.v. YEAR), and, moreover, the exact date of the commencement of the captivity admitted of question; but Daniel appears to have calculated in B.C. 538 that the term was approaching its termination (see <a href="/daniel/9-2.htm">Daniel 9:2-19</a>). If the captivity were regarded as commencing in the third year of Jehoiakim (<a href="/daniel/1-1.htm">Daniel 1:1, 2</a>), which was B.C. 606-605, and if years of 360 days were regarded as intended, this would clearly be so, since 360 x 70 = 25,200, and 365 × 68 = 24,820, so that in B.C. 538 only another year was wanting. For the prophecy to be fulfilled, it was requisite that the first steps towards bringing about the return and the cessation of desolation should not be delayed beyond the close of B.C. 538. The Lord, accordingly, in this year stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia. As God in earlier times had worked on the minds of Abimelech (<a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3</a>) and Balaam (<a href="/numbers/23-5.htm">Numbers 23:5, 16</a>), and more recently of Nebuchadnezzar (<a href="/daniel/2-28.htm">Daniel 2:28</a>), so now, it would seem, he directly influenced the heart and will of Cyrus. This is the less surprising, as Cyrus was, in the Divine counsels, fore-ordained to do this work, and had been raised to his high station for the purpose (<a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a>; <a href="/isaiah/45-1.htm">Isaiah 45:1-4</a>). Cyrus was thus induced to make a proclamation (literally, "to make to pass a voice") throughout the whole kingdom, which reached from the AEgean Sea to the borders of India, and from the Caucasus to the Persian Gulf, and even to put it in writing, b miktab, that so it might be sure to become generally known. Writing was probably of recent introduction into Persia; but there is positive evidence in the native remains of its use by Cyrus. His proclamation was probably issued in at least two languages, Persian and Chaldee. <a href="/commentaries/ezra/1-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>In the first אַחַ֗ת (’a·ḥaṯ) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first year וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת (ū·ḇiš·naṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year of Cyrus לְכ֙וֹרֶשׁ֙ (lə·ḵō·w·reš) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3566.htm">Strong's 3566: </a> Cyrus -- a person king king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Persia, פָּרַ֔ס (pā·ras) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6539.htm">Strong's 6539: </a> Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon to fulfill לִכְל֥וֹת (liḵ·lō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3615.htm">Strong's 3615: </a> To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent the word דְּבַר־ (də·ḇar-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause of the LORD יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel spoken מִפִּ֣י (mip·pî) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to through Jeremiah, יִרְמְיָ֑ה (yir·mə·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3414.htm">Strong's 3414: </a> Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel stirred הֵעִ֣יר (hê·‘îr) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5782.htm">Strong's 5782: </a> To rouse oneself, awake the spirit ר֙וּחַ֙ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7307.htm">Strong's 7307: </a> Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit of Cyrus כֹּ֣רֶשׁ (kō·reš) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3566.htm">Strong's 3566: </a> Cyrus -- a person king king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Persia פָּרַ֔ס (pā·ras) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6539.htm">Strong's 6539: </a> Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon to send וַיַּֽעֲבֶר־ (way·ya·‘ă·ḇer-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5674.htm">Strong's 5674: </a> To pass over, through, or by, pass on a proclamation קוֹל֙ (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound throughout בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every his kingdom מַלְכוּת֔וֹ (mal·ḵū·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4438.htm">Strong's 4438: </a> Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom and to put it in writing בְּמִכְתָּ֖ב (bə·miḵ·tāḇ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4385.htm">Strong's 4385: </a> A thing written, the characters, a document as follows: לֵאמֹֽר׃ (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezra/1-1.htm">Ezra 1:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezra/1-1.htm">OT History: Ezra 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_chronicles/36-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Chronicles 36:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 36:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/1-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 1:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 1:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>