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Verse MeaningEzraSome background helps

Ezra 1:2: Meaning Explained

Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath...

Ezra 1:2
This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah.
What it means

King Cyrus announces that God told him to help rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

What’s Happening Here

The king makes an official announcement. He says God gave him the power to rule and told him to help the Jewish people rebuild their destroyed temple as a house of worship.

Key Words

kingdomscountries or lands ruled by kings
appointedchosen to do an important job
Jerusalemthe main city of the Jewish people

Why It Matters

Even non-believers like King Cyrus recognize God's power. This teaches that God works through everyone, even people who don't follow Him.

Did You Know?

It was unusual for a king to let captured people go home and rebuild their temples, but Cyrus did it anyway!

Tradition Spectrum

Word Study

H559
Thus saithאָמַ֗ר
H3566
Cyrusכֹּ֚רֶשׁ
H4428
kingמֶ֣לֶךְ
H6539
of Persiaפָּרַ֔ס
H4467
me all the kingdomsמַמְלְכ֣וֹת
H776
of the earthהָאָ֔רֶץ
H5414
hath givenנָ֣תַן
H3068
The LORDיְהוָ֖ה
H430
Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י
H8064
of heavenהַשָּׁמָ֑יִם
H6485
and he hath chargedפָקַ֤ד
H1129
me to buildלִבְנֽוֹת
H1004
him an houseבַ֔יִת
H3389
at Jerusalemבִּירֽוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
H3063
which is in Judahבִּֽיהוּדָֽה׃

Frequently asked questions

What does Ezra 1:2 mean?

King Cyrus announces that God told him to help rebuild the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

What is the context of Ezra 1:2?

The king makes an official announcement. He says God gave him the power to rule and told him to help the Jewish people rebuild their destroyed temple as a house of worship.

Why does Ezra 1:2 matter?

Even non-believers like King Cyrus recognize God's power. This teaches that God works through everyone, even people who don't follow Him.

What's a surprising detail about Ezra 1:2?

It was unusual for a king to let captured people go home and rebuild their temples, but Cyrus did it anyway!

Continue Exploring
Read Ezra 1:2 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
  3. Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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