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.

EZRA 1:2KJV
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Ezra 1:2 (KJV)

What does Ezra 1:2 mean?

Ezra 1:2 records the proclamation of Cyrus, king of Persia, declaring that the LORD, the God of heaven, has given him authority over all the kingdoms of the earth and has commanded him to build a temple for God in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Cyrus publicly acknowledges that his power comes from the LORD and that he has a specific responsibility to rebuild God's house in Jerusalem.

Cyrus is speaking as the ruler of the Persian Empire, addressing his subjects and announcing a royal decree. The situation is that the Jewish people had been in exile, and now Cyrus is allowing—and even instructing—them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The verse highlights Cyrus’s recognition of the LORD’s authority and his unique role in fulfilling what the Jewish people saw as God’s promise to restore worship in Jerusalem.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 1:2

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, used here by a foreign king, which is notable because it shows Cyrus specifically names Israel’s God rather than a generic deity.
  • God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This word means “God” or “mighty one,” and when paired with “of heaven” (הַשָּׁמַיִם, hashamayim), it emphasizes God’s supreme authority over all creation, not just a local or national god.
  • Charged (פָּקַד, paqad): This word means to appoint, command, or give a responsibility. Cyrus claims that the LORD has personally given him the task to build the temple, suggesting he sees himself as carrying out a divine assignment.
  • House (בַּיִת, bayit): This refers specifically to the temple, the central place of worship for the Jewish people. The use of this word underlines the importance of restoring the religious center in Jerusalem.

Why Ezra 1:2 matters

  • Ezra 1:2 clarifies that the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple were not just political events, but were seen as fulfilling a divine purpose, even acknowledged by a non-Jewish king.
  • The verse shows that Cyrus recognizes the LORD as the true source of his authority, which is unusual for an ancient ruler and highlights the influence of Israel’s God beyond Israel itself.
  • This proclamation sets the stage for the rest of the book of Ezra, explaining why and how the Jewish people were able to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple after decades in exile.

Where else these words appear

“Cyrus” Hebrew H3566 · used in 13 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 36:22 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,
  • Ezra 1:8 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.
  • Isaiah 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

“Persia” Hebrew H6539 · used in 24 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 36:20 And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:
  • Ezra 4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.
  • Esther 10:2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

“kingdoms” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 14:5 And it came to pass, as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that he slew his servants which had slain the king his father.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;