Ezra 1 Study Notes: Cyrus Sends the Exiles Home
In his first year, the Persian king Cyrus, moved by the LORD as Jeremiah had foretold, decrees that the Jews may go home and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Families whom God moves prepare to leave, neighbors give generous gifts, and Cyrus returns the temple vessels, which Sheshbazzar carries back to Jerusalem.
General
True or False: Cyrus kept the most valuable temple articles in Persia and sent only the rest back to Jerusalem.
Answer: False
This is false. Cyrus had the articles brought out and counted, and the inventory lists dishes, bowls and other pieces of gold and silver numbering in the thousands (1:9-10). Sheshbazzar carried every one of them with the exiles on the journey home (1:11). A later letter in Ezra repeats that Cyrus handed the temple vessels to Sheshbazzar, whom he made governor (Ezra 5:14). Isaiah had pictured the LORD’s people leaving with His vessels, the LORD going ahead of them and guarding them from behind (Isaiah 52:11-12).
- Ezra 1:11 (BSB)“In all, there were 5,400 gold and silver articles. Sheshbazzar brought all these along when the exiles went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.”Sheshbazzar brings all the gold and silver articles with the exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem.
- Ezra 5:14 (BSB)“He also removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles belonging to the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken and carried there from the temple in Jerusalem. King Cyrus gave these articles to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed governor”A later report confirms that Cyrus gave the temple articles to Sheshbazzar.
- Isaiah 52:11-12 (BSB)“Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.”Isaiah pictures those who carry the LORD’s vessels going out with the LORD before and behind them.
Theological
True or False: Only part of the temple vessels were released, the most precious being retained in the Persian treasury.
Answer: False
This is false. The full inventory of gold and silver vessels, running into the thousands, was counted out (1:9-10), and Sheshbazzar brought every one of them up with the returning exiles (1:11). Ezra 5:14 confirms that Cyrus delivered these articles to Sheshbazzar, whom Cyrus had made governor. The scene matches Isaiah’s picture of a departure in which those carrying the LORD’s vessels go out under His protection, with the LORD before and behind them (Isaiah 52:11-12). The restoration of the vessels is complete, not partial.
- Ezra 1:11 (BSB)“In all, there were 5,400 gold and silver articles. Sheshbazzar brought all these along when the exiles went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.”Sheshbazzar brings all the gold and silver articles with the exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem.
- Ezra 5:14 (BSB)“He also removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles belonging to the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken and carried there from the temple in Jerusalem. King Cyrus gave these articles to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he appointed governor”A later report confirms that Cyrus gave the temple articles to Sheshbazzar.
- Isaiah 52:11-12 (BSB)“Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; come out from it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. For you will not leave in a hurry nor flee in haste, for the LORD goes before you, and the God of Israel is your rear guard.”Isaiah pictures those who carry the LORD’s vessels going out with the LORD before and behind them.
General
True or False: In his decree, Cyrus credited Israel’s God with giving him his empire and charging him to rebuild His temple in Jerusalem.
Answer: True
This is true. Cyrus’ written proclamation says that Israel’s God, whom he calls God of heaven, had handed him every kingdom on earth and given him the task of building Him a house in Jerusalem (1:2). It then invites any of God’s people to return and build, with a prayer that their God would be with them (1:3). Isaiah had foretold that the LORD would take Cyrus by the right hand and bring nations under him (Isaiah 45:1), and that Cyrus would rebuild the LORD’s city and free His exiles without being paid to do it (Isaiah 45:13). Daniel praises God as the One who sets kings in place and takes them away (Daniel 2:21). Cyrus’ empire was the LORD’s gift, and it was put to the LORD’s purpose.
- Ezra 1:2-3 (BSB)““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 his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.”Cyrus’ decree credits the God of heaven with his kingdoms and his commission, and invites God’s people to go and build.
- Isaiah 45:1 (BSB)“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:”The LORD speaks of Cyrus as one whose hand He holds to subdue nations before him.
- Isaiah 45:13 (BSB)“I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.””The LORD says He will raise up Cyrus to rebuild His city and free His exiles.
- Daniel 2:21 (BSB)“He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”God sets kings up and removes them, so Cyrus’ empire came from Him.
Theological
True or False: Cyrus’ decree attributes both his worldwide rule and his commission to rebuild the Jerusalem temple to Israel’s God.
Answer: True
This is true. The decree confesses that Heaven’s God had given Cyrus dominion over every kingdom and had charged him to build Him a house in Jerusalem (1:2), and it releases any of His people to return and build (1:3). Isaiah had spoken of Cyrus as the LORD’s anointed one, the man whose right hand the LORD held to subdue nations (Isaiah 45:1), and as the one raised up to rebuild the city and release the exiles (Isaiah 45:13). Whatever Cyrus himself understood, the language of the decree matches the biblical teaching that God installs and removes rulers (Daniel 2:21) and uses their power for His own ends.
- Ezra 1:2-3 (BSB)““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 his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem.”Cyrus’ decree credits the God of heaven with his kingdoms and his commission, and invites God’s people to go and build.
- Isaiah 45:1 (BSB)“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:”The LORD speaks of Cyrus as one whose hand He holds to subdue nations before him.
- Isaiah 45:13 (BSB)“I will raise up Cyrus in righteousness, and I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild My city and set My exiles free, but not for payment or reward, says the LORD of Hosts.””The LORD says He will raise up Cyrus to rebuild His city and free His exiles.
- Daniel 2:21 (BSB)“He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.”God sets kings up and removes them, so Cyrus’ empire came from Him.
General
Ezra 1:5 names the family heads, priests and Levites who got ready to go and rebuild. How does the verse describe them?
Answer: As people God Himself had inwardly moved to go
Verse 5 uses the same language for the returning families that verse 1 used for Cyrus: God had stirred their spirit (1:5). The decree opened the door, but it was God working inside His people that made them willing to leave Babylon and take on the hard work of rebuilding. Haggai later describes the LORD stirring up Zerubbabel, the high priest Joshua and the whole remnant, so that they came and worked on the LORD’s house (Haggai 1:14). Paul teaches the same truth: God is at work in His people, giving them both the desire and the ability to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). In the wilderness, too, those whose hearts moved them brought gifts for the tabernacle (Exodus 35:21).
- Ezra 1:5 (BSB)“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.”The family heads of Judah and Benjamin, with priests and Levites, prepare to go up—everyone whose spirit God had stirred.
- Haggai 1:14 (BSB)“So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God,”The LORD stirs the spirit of the leaders and the remnant, and they begin the work on His house.
- Philippians 2:13 (BSB)“For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.”God works in His people both to will and to act, the source of their willing response.
- Exodus 35:21 (BSB)“And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its services, and for the holy garments.”The tabernacle offerings came from those whose hearts and spirits moved them.
Theological
How does Ezra 1:5 characterize the family heads, priests and Levites who got ready to return and rebuild?
Answer: As people God Himself had inwardly moved to go
The same divine initiative that moved Cyrus moves the remnant: those who rise to go are precisely those in whom God had stirred the spirit (1:5). The willingness to undertake costly obedience is traced to God’s prior work in the heart, a pattern Haggai repeats when the LORD stirs Zerubbabel, Joshua and the remnant to build (Haggai 1:14), and one Paul states as doctrine: God effects in His people both the willing and the working for His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). The tabernacle offerings likewise came from those inwardly moved (Exodus 35:21). Grace precedes and produces the response.
- Ezra 1:5 (BSB)“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.”The family heads of Judah and Benjamin, with priests and Levites, prepare to go up—everyone whose spirit God had stirred.
- Haggai 1:14 (BSB)“So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God,”The LORD stirs the spirit of the leaders and the remnant, and they begin the work on His house.
- Philippians 2:13 (BSB)“For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.”God works in His people both to will and to act, the source of their willing response.
- Exodus 35:21 (BSB)“And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its services, and for the holy garments.”The tabernacle offerings came from those whose hearts and spirits moved them.
General
According to Ezra 1:1, why did Cyrus, the Persian king, send out his proclamation about the temple?
Answer: The LORD moved his spirit so that Jeremiah’s prophecy would come true
Ezra opens by naming the real cause behind Cyrus’ decree: in his first year the LORD moved his spirit (worked inwardly to prompt him), and He did it to bring about what He had promised through the prophet Jeremiah (1:1). Jeremiah had said that when the seventy years for Babylon had run their course, God would turn to His people again and bring them home (Jeremiah 29:10), and Isaiah had even named Cyrus as the LORD’s shepherd who would carry out all His desire, in the same breath as promising that Jerusalem would be rebuilt and the temple’s foundation laid (Isaiah 44:28). Cyrus truly made the decision and truly gave the order, yet the LORD was the One moving his heart, for a king’s heart is like a channel of water in the LORD’s hand that He steers wherever He wishes (Proverbs 21:1). God rules even over pagan rulers to keep His promises to His people.
- Ezra 1:1 (BSB)“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:”In Cyrus’ first year the LORD moves him to issue a written proclamation, fulfilling Jeremiah’s word.
- Jeremiah 29:10 (BSB)“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.”Jeremiah had promised a return to the land when Babylon’s seventy years were complete.
- Isaiah 44:28 (BSB)“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.’””Isaiah names Cyrus as the LORD’s shepherd alongside the promise that Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt.
- Proverbs 21:1 (BSB)“The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.”The LORD directs a king’s heart wherever He pleases, as He did with Cyrus.
Theological
What cause does Ezra 1:1 give for the proclamation Cyrus issued in his first year?
Answer: The LORD moved his spirit so that Jeremiah’s prophecy would come true
Ezra 1:1 gives the decree a double cause. On the human level Cyrus decides and proclaims; on the ultimate level the LORD moved his spirit in order to bring to pass the word given through Jeremiah, who had fixed the restoration at the end of Babylon’s seventy years (Jeremiah 29:10). Isaiah had even named Cyrus as the LORD’s shepherd who would carry out His purpose for Jerusalem and the temple (Isaiah 44:28). Divine sovereignty and the king’s genuine agency stand together without conflict: a ruler’s heart lies in the LORD’s hand, and He directs it as He wills (Proverbs 21:1). Providence governs even a pagan emperor for the sake of God’s covenant promises to His people.
- Ezra 1:1 (BSB)“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:”In Cyrus’ first year the LORD moves him to issue a written proclamation, fulfilling Jeremiah’s word.
- Jeremiah 29:10 (BSB)“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.”Jeremiah had promised a return to the land when Babylon’s seventy years were complete.
- Isaiah 44:28 (BSB)“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.’””Isaiah names Cyrus as the LORD’s shepherd alongside the promise that Jerusalem and the temple would be rebuilt.
- Proverbs 21:1 (BSB)“The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.”The LORD directs a king’s heart wherever He pleases, as He did with Cyrus.
General
How did the neighbors of the returning exiles respond, as Ezra 1:6 describes?
Answer: They gave them precious metals, goods, animals and valuables
Cyrus’ decree told the people of each region to help any surviving Jew who went up, with precious metals, goods and animals, besides freewill offerings (gifts given voluntarily, not required) for God’s house (1:4). Their neighbors did just that, giving silver and gold objects, goods, livestock and valuables on top of the freewill offerings (1:6). Many readers have seen here an echo of the exodus, when the LORD gave Israel favor with the Egyptians and they left Egypt with silver and gold (Exodus 11:2-3; Exodus 12:35-36). The exiles set out for home well supplied through the generosity of their neighbors.
- Ezra 1:4 (BSB)“And let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.’””Cyrus instructs the people of each region to assist the returning survivors and to give freewill offerings for God’s house.
- Ezra 1:6 (BSB)“And all their neighbors supported them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuables, in addition to all their freewill offerings.”The neighbors support the exiles with silver and gold, goods, livestock and valuables.
- Exodus 11:2-3 (BSB)“Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.”Before the exodus Israel was told to ask for silver and gold, and the LORD gave them favor with the Egyptians.
- Exodus 12:35-36 (BSB)“Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.”Israel left Egypt with silver, gold and clothing because the LORD gave them favor.
Theological
What response from the exiles’ neighbors does Ezra 1:6 record, in line with Cyrus’ instructions in 1:4?
Answer: They gave them precious metals, goods, animals and valuables
The decree obligated the people of each locality to equip the returning remnant with precious metals, goods and livestock alongside freewill offerings for God’s house (1:4), and the neighbors complied generously, adding valuables besides (1:6). Many readers have seen here an echo of the exodus, when the LORD gave Israel favor with the Egyptians and they departed with silver, gold and clothing (Exodus 11:2-3; Exodus 12:35-36). The returning remnant went up amply provided for through the hands of their neighbors.
- Ezra 1:4 (BSB)“And let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.’””Cyrus instructs the people of each region to assist the returning survivors and to give freewill offerings for God’s house.
- Ezra 1:6 (BSB)“And all their neighbors supported them with articles of silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with valuables, in addition to all their freewill offerings.”The neighbors support the exiles with silver and gold, goods, livestock and valuables.
- Exodus 11:2-3 (BSB)“Now announce to the people that men and women alike should ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” And the LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.”Before the exodus Israel was told to ask for silver and gold, and the LORD gave them favor with the Egyptians.
- Exodus 12:35-36 (BSB)“Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.”Israel left Egypt with silver, gold and clothing because the LORD gave them favor.
General
Where had Nebuchadnezzar put the sacred articles of the LORD’s house that Cyrus now brought out (Ezra 1:7)?
Answer: In a shrine dedicated to Nebuchadnezzar’s own gods
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had carried off articles (sacred utensils and vessels) of the LORD’s house from Jerusalem and set them in a shrine of his own gods (1:7). Daniel records that already in King Jehoiakim’s day he took some of these articles to Babylonia and stored them in his god’s treasury (Daniel 1:2). Cyrus now had his treasurer bring them out, counted out to Sheshbazzar, Judah’s prince (1:8). Jeremiah had prophesied that the articles still left in the LORD’s house and in Jerusalem would be taken off to Babylon and stay in Babylon until the LORD attended to them, and that He would then bring them back to this place (Jeremiah 27:21-22). The vessels taken as trophies to an idol’s house were given back for the worship of the true God.
- Ezra 1:7-8 (BSB)“King Cyrus also brought out the articles belonging to the house of the LORD that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the temple of his gods. Cyrus king of Persia had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.”Cyrus brings out the temple articles Nebuchadnezzar had placed in the temple of his gods and has them counted out to Sheshbazzar.
- Daniel 1:2 (BSB)“And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.”In Jehoiakim’s day Nebuchadnezzar took some articles from God’s house and put them in the treasury of his god.
- Jeremiah 27:21-22 (BSB)“Yes, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says about the articles that remain in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem: ‘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.’””Jeremiah foretold that the articles left in Jerusalem would stay in Babylon until the LORD attended to them and brought them back.
Theological
According to Ezra 1:7, where had the sacred articles of the LORD’s house been kept before Cyrus released them?
Answer: In a shrine dedicated to Nebuchadnezzar’s own gods
The articles had been deposited by Nebuchadnezzar in a shrine of his own gods as spoils of conquest (1:7); Daniel records that some were taken already under Jehoiakim and stored in his god’s treasury (Daniel 1:2). Cyrus releases them through his treasurer, who hands them over by count to Sheshbazzar, Judah’s prince (1:8). This accords with Jeremiah’s word that the articles still remaining in the LORD’s house and in Jerusalem would be taken off to Babylon and stay in Babylon until the LORD attended to them, and then be brought back and restored to their place (Jeremiah 27:21-22). Trophies once kept in a pagan shrine return to the service of the LORD, a visible sign that He was renewing His worship in Jerusalem.
- Ezra 1:7-8 (BSB)“King Cyrus also brought out the articles belonging to the house of the LORD that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from Jerusalem and placed in the temple of his gods. Cyrus king of Persia had them brought out by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, who counted them out to Sheshbazzar the prince of Judah.”Cyrus brings out the temple articles Nebuchadnezzar had placed in the temple of his gods and has them counted out to Sheshbazzar.
- Daniel 1:2 (BSB)“And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.”In Jehoiakim’s day Nebuchadnezzar took some articles from God’s house and put them in the treasury of his god.
- Jeremiah 27:21-22 (BSB)“Yes, this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says about the articles that remain in the house of the LORD, in the palace of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem: ‘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.’””Jeremiah foretold that the articles left in Jerusalem would stay in Babylon until the LORD attended to them and brought them back.