Ezra 1:5

Translations

Modern

So the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—prepared to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And the heads of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin arose, and the priests, and the Levites, with all whose spirit God had moved to go up and build the house of YHWH, which is in Jerusalem.

Latin

Et surrexerunt principes patrum de Juda et Benjamin, et sacerdotes, et Levitæ, et omnis cujus Deus suscitavit spiritum, ut ascenderent ad ædificandum templum Domini, quod erat in Jerusalem.

Original

Hebrew

English

So the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—prepared to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.

Notes

Ezra 1:5–6

As with Cyrus's heart (Ezra 1:1), God inspired Israel’s leaders.
Few priests and Levites responded (see Ezra 2:36–42). Most responders were from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Persian documents show many Jews stayed in Babylon, where they had homes, businesses, and relatives. A dangerous four-month journey back to Jerusalem, now a desolate city inhabited by foreigners, was not appealing compared to their comfortable life in Babylon. It was easier to give valuable gifts and voluntary offerings to those who returned.

Theme notes and profiles

Cyrus II Esther Jerusalem

Related verses

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:
2 Chronicles 36:22
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:
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
James 1:16–17
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.
Nehemiah 2:12
I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.
2 Corinthians 8:16
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.
Proverbs 16:1
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
3 John 1:11
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.

Parallels

2 Chronicles 36:22–23 Isaiah 45:1–25

People

Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Book of Ezra Cyrus Cylinder First Book of Esdras History of Israel Judaism Postexilic Period Sheshbazzar

Topics

All Christians should be As Missionaries: Chief of the Fathers Church and State: State Favorable to Religion: Cyrus, in his Proclamation to Restore the Temple at Jerusalem Israel, Prophecies Concerning: Captivity of Cyrus Directs the Rebuilding of the Temple Liberality: Jews After the Captivity Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Return from the Captivity Tribe of Benjamin: Census of Return to Palestine from the exile in Babylon Tribe of Benjamin: Numbers of, Returned from the Captivity and Dwelt At

Ezra 1:5

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