But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

EZRA 5:13KJV
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Ezra 5:13 (KJV)

What does Ezra 5:13 mean?

Ezra 5:13 states that in the first year of Cyrus, king of Babylon, Cyrus made an official order allowing the rebuilding of the house of God. This verse highlights the moment when a foreign king authorized the restoration of the Jewish temple.

In context, Ezra 5:13 is part of a report being given to Persian officials about why the Jews are rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. The verse points back to a specific historical event: King Cyrus’s decree, which gave the Jewish people permission to return from exile and rebuild their temple. This decree is a turning point in the story, showing that the rebuilding was not a rebellion but was sanctioned by the highest authority of the time.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 5:13

  • "Decree" (טֵעֵם, te‘em): This word means an official order or command. Its use here emphasizes that the rebuilding was not just a local decision but was based on a royal command from Cyrus.
  • "Build" (בְּנָה, benah): This verb means to construct or rebuild. The focus is on the physical act of restoring the temple, not just planning or talking about it.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayit): This refers specifically to the temple, the central place of worship for the Jewish people. The word underscores that it is not just any building, but the house of God.

Why Ezra 5:13 matters

  • Ezra 5:13 clarifies that the rebuilding of the temple was not an act of defiance against Persian rule, but was actually authorized by King Cyrus himself.
  • The verse connects the events in Ezra to earlier promises and prophecies about the return from exile, showing continuity in the biblical story.
  • By naming Cyrus and his decree, the verse highlights how God can use foreign rulers to fulfill His purposes, a theme seen throughout Ezra and the wider biblical narrative.

Where else these words appear

“But” Hebrew H1297 · used in 5 verses

  • Daniel 2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
  • Daniel 4:15 Nevertheless leave the stump of his roots in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts in the grass of the earth:
  • Daniel 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

“Cyrus” Hebrew H3567 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 5:14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
  • Ezra 5:17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
  • Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

“year” Hebrew H8140 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:24 Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
  • Ezra 6:3 In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;
  • Daniel 5:31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

“first” Hebrew H2298 · used in 14 verses

  • Ezra 4:8 Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort:
  • Daniel 2:31 Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image. This great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee; and the form thereof was terrible.
  • Daniel 6:2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.