Ezra 1:1, Ezra 1:2 ASV

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Ezra 1:1-11

PART FIRSTThe Temple as the Place of the Lord. (Period previous to Ezra)Chaps. 1–6FIRST SECTIONThe Most Important Fundamental FactsEzra 1:2A.—THE DECREE OF CYRUS—THE DEPARTURE FROM BABYLON–THE RESTITUTION OF THE SACRED VESSELSEzra 1:1-11I. The Decree of Cyrus. Ezra 1:1-41Now 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... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Ezra 1:1-11

Ezra THE EVE OF THE RESTORATION Ezr_1:1 - Ezr_1:11 . Cyrus captured Babylon 538 B.C., and the ‘first year’ here is the first after that event. The predicted seventy years’ captivity had nearly run out, having in part done their work on the exiles. Colours burned in on china are permanent; and the furnace of bondage had, at least, effected this, that it fixed monotheism for ever in the inmost substance of the Jewish people. But the bulk of them seem to have had little of either religious or... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Ezra 1:1-11

God’s Promises Fulfilled Ezra 1:1-11 God will ever be mindful of His covenant. There were also many remembrancers as Daniel and other like-minded exiles who gave Him no rest and were ever asking Him for David’s sake to bring his people from captivity. See Isaiah 62:6-7 . The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, Ezra 1:1-11 , and the spirits of the people, Ezra 5:1-17 . How clearly the minds of men are subject to His promptings! May we never be disobedient to the heavenly visions that visit... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Ezra 1:1-11

The Book of Ezra contains an account of a most important epoch in the history of the people of God. After seventy years of captivity, a return from captivity was made possible by the decree of a Gentile king. This Book gives us the story of that return, and the building of the Temple. It is not consecutive history, for while, with the Book of Nehemiah, covers a period of about one hundred years, there is a gap of sixty years. There are two main divisions, first, the story of the return under... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 1:1

TURNING AGAIN THE CAPTIVITY OF ZION‘The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus.’ Ezra 1:1 Of this chapter little is necessary to be said in the way of homiletic analysis. The theme may be more easily handled, possibly, in a series of observations or topics. I. For example, we see how the kingdom of God’s providence works into the kingdom of God’s grace.—Judah had deeply sinned in those old, sad days of folly; and God had sent His fearful retributions upon the wrong-doers. But what if some did... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 1:1-4

The Edict Of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4 ). Ezra 1:1 ‘Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of YHWH by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, YHWH stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,’ The first year of Cyrus II referred to was 538 BC, the dating being from his capture of Babylon, this being the date when control of Palestine passed into his hands. The title King of... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 1:1-11

The Edict Of Cyrus And Its Result (Ezra 1:1-11 ). In 538 BC Cyrus issued an edict allowing Jews to return to their homeland, and authorising the rebuilding of the Temple with state help. The wording of the edict given here is in terms that would be appreciated by the Jews. It was a ‘popular’ version, to be proclaimed to the outside world, and was no doubt worded by a ‘secretary of state for Jewish affairs’ who preceded the time of Ezra, or by officials given responsibility for Jewish affairs.... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 1:1-4

PART I (Ezra 1-6). The Return under Zerubbabel to the Completion of the Temple. Ezra 1:1-Numbers : . The Edict of Cyrus.— Cf. 2 Chronicles 36:22 f., where Ezra 1:1-Leviticus : a is reproduced almost verbally. These verses are here in their proper place; they were added to the end of 2 Ch., when this was separated from Ezr.– Neh. in order to make that book conclude with a joyous note. The edict here reported does not give the original wording; it is an abbreviation in the Chronicler’ s words,... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Ezra 1:1

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to wit, of his empire or reign in Babylon; for he had now been king of Persia for many years. Stirred up the spirit of Cyrus, i.e. put into him a mind and will to his work. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Ezra 1:1-11

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.] In this chapter we have (i.) the proclamation of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4); (ii.) the preparation of the Jews for availing themselves of it (Ezra 1:5-6) and (iii.) the restoration of the sacred vessels (Ezra 1:7-11).Ezra 1:1. Now, Heb. וְ, and] The conjunction connects the history of the restoration of the Jews with the history of the destruction of their capital and kingdom, as in 2 Chronicles 36:22. In the first year of Cyrus] i.e. the first year of his rule over... read more