Ezra, 1

Name: Ezra
Author: Author's Name
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Word of God Idols Community Generosity God Worship Prophecy Acknowledging Almighty Giving

Ezra is commissioned by King Artaxerxes to lead the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and to enforce the law.

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Bible version

Commissioning of Ezra

1 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,

2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.

4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.

5 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.

6 And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.

7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;

8 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.

9 And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,

10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.

11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

Commentary

Ezra 1 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Ezra, as it marks the beginning of the return of the Jewish people to their homeland of Judah after their exile in Babylon. This chapter begins with a proclamation from King Cyrus of Persia, who had conquered Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to their homeland. This proclamation was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah, who had foretold that the Jews would be allowed to return to their homeland after seventy years of exile. The chapter then goes on to describe the response of the Jews to this proclamation. They were filled with joy and enthusiasm, and they eagerly prepared to make the journey back to their homeland. They gathered together their resources and made the necessary preparations for the journey. The chapter ends with a description of the return of the Jews to their homeland. They were accompanied by a large number of priests and Levites, who were responsible for leading the people in worship and offering sacrifices to God. This was a significant moment in the history of the Jewish people, as it marked the beginning of the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of the Jewish nation. Overall, Ezra 1 is an important chapter in the book of Ezra, as it marks the beginning of the return of the Jewish people to their homeland after their exile in Babylon. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness to His people, and of His promise to restore them to their homeland.