This verse from 1 Esdras 2:11 describes a specific action taken by Cyrus, the king of Persia, in the context of allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple after their exile in Babylon. Let's break down the verse:
"Now when Cyrus king of the Persians had brought them forth...": This refers to the fact that Cyrus, as king, initiated the process of allowing the exiled Jewish people to return to their homeland, Jerusalem. The "them" likely refers to the temple vessels and other sacred objects that had been taken from Jerusalem to Babylon.
"...he delivered them to Mithradates his treasurer": Cyrus did not personally handle these items. Instead, he entrusted them to Mithradates, his treasurer. Mithradates was a high-ranking official responsible for managing the royal treasury.
In essence, the verse is saying:
Cyrus, after deciding to allow the Jewish people to return, authorized the release of the temple vessels and sacred objects from the royal treasury. He delegated the responsibility of physically handing these items over to Mithradates, his treasurer.
Significance:
Royal Authority: This highlights Cyrus's direct involvement and authority in the restoration process.
Legitimization: By using an official like the treasurer, Cyrus was legitimizing the return of the items and making it a formal act of the Persian government.
Accountability: Entrusting the items to the treasurer ensured a record of the returned goods and accountability in their handling.
Context:
1 Esdras (also known as 3 Ezra in some traditions) is an apocryphal book that retells parts of the Old Testament books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. This specific verse is related to the decree of Cyrus allowing the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The verse is part of the narrative detailing the inventory of the temple articles that were returned. It demonstrates the detail and care taken in this process.
This verse from 1 Esdras 2:11 describes a specific action taken by Cyrus, the king of Persia, in the context of allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple after their exile in Babylon. Let's break down the verse:
"Now when Cyrus king of the Persians had brought them forth...": This refers to the fact that Cyrus, as king, initiated the process of allowing the exiled Jewish people to return to their homeland, Jerusalem. The "them" likely refers to the temple vessels and other sacred objects that had been taken from Jerusalem to Babylon.
"...he delivered them to Mithradates his treasurer": Cyrus did not personally handle these items. Instead, he entrusted them to Mithradates, his treasurer. Mithradates was a high-ranking official responsible for managing the royal treasury.
In essence, the verse is saying:
Cyrus, after deciding to allow the Jewish people to return, authorized the release of the temple vessels and sacred objects from the royal treasury. He delegated the responsibility of physically handing these items over to Mithradates, his treasurer.
Significance:
Royal Authority: This highlights Cyrus's direct involvement and authority in the restoration process.
Legitimization: By using an official like the treasurer, Cyrus was legitimizing the return of the items and making it a formal act of the Persian government.
Accountability: Entrusting the items to the treasurer ensured a record of the returned goods and accountability in their handling.
Context:
1 Esdras (also known as 3 Ezra in some traditions) is an apocryphal book that retells parts of the Old Testament books of Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. This specific verse is related to the decree of Cyrus allowing the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The verse is part of the narrative detailing the inventory of the temple articles that were returned. It demonstrates the detail and care taken in this process.
