1 esdras 2:5 - If therefore there be any of you that are of his people, let the Lord, even his Lord, be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judea, and build the house of the Lord of Israel: he is the Lord that dwells in Jerusalem.
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What does "1 esdras 2:5" mean?
1 Esdras 2:5 essentially echoes the decree of Cyrus the Great, allowing the Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"If therefore there be any of you that are of his people...": This addresses the Jewish people living in exile in Babylon. It acknowledges that not everyone might want to return, likely due to established lives and communities in Babylon.
"...let the Lord, even his Lord, be with him...": This is a blessing and a reassurance. "His Lord" refers to the God of the Jewish people. The phrase asks for God's protection, guidance, and presence during the difficult journey back to Jerusalem and the challenging task of rebuilding the Temple.
"...and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judea...": This is the invitation to return to their homeland, specifically to Jerusalem, which is located in the region of Judea. The journey is described as "going up" because Jerusalem is geographically elevated compared to Babylon.
"...and build the house of the Lord of Israel...": This is the core purpose of the return: to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple is the central place of worship for the Jewish people, and its reconstruction is vital for restoring their religious and national identity. The Temple being "the house of the Lord of Israel" emphasizes it's built for the God specifically connected to the nation of Israel.
"...he is the Lord that dwells in Jerusalem.": This affirms that God is uniquely present and manifests his power in Jerusalem. This emphasizes the importance of Jerusalem as the chosen city and the Temple as God's dwelling place. This emphasizes that the God they worship is the same God who is associated with Jerusalem.
In summary, 1 Esdras 2:5 is part of a proclamation encouraging Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem, with divine blessing, to rebuild the Temple, emphasizing God's special relationship with the city and its people.
Context within 1 Esdras:
It's important to note that 1 Esdras (also known as 3 Ezra in some traditions) is considered deuterocanonical or apocryphal by many Christian denominations and is part of the Hebrew Bible for Ethiopian Orthodox Jews. It parallels portions of the canonical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, often presenting a slightly different version of events. The decree of Cyrus and the return of the exiles are historical events, but 1 Esdras offers its unique perspective.
Comparison with Ezra 1:3:
This verse is very similar to Ezra 1:3, which states: "Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem." You can see how 1 Esdras 2:5 is a slightly expanded version, adding more emphasis on the connection between God and Jerusalem.
1 esdras 2:5 - If therefore there be any of you that are of his people, let the Lord, even his Lord, be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judea, and build the house of the Lord of Israel: he is the Lord that dwells in Jerusalem.
What does "1 esdras 2:5" mean?
1 Esdras 2:5 essentially echoes the decree of Cyrus the Great, allowing the Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"If therefore there be any of you that are of his people...": This addresses the Jewish people living in exile in Babylon. It acknowledges that not everyone might want to return, likely due to established lives and communities in Babylon.
"...let the Lord, even his Lord, be with him...": This is a blessing and a reassurance. "His Lord" refers to the God of the Jewish people. The phrase asks for God's protection, guidance, and presence during the difficult journey back to Jerusalem and the challenging task of rebuilding the Temple.
"...and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judea...": This is the invitation to return to their homeland, specifically to Jerusalem, which is located in the region of Judea. The journey is described as "going up" because Jerusalem is geographically elevated compared to Babylon.
"...and build the house of the Lord of Israel...": This is the core purpose of the return: to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The Temple is the central place of worship for the Jewish people, and its reconstruction is vital for restoring their religious and national identity. The Temple being "the house of the Lord of Israel" emphasizes it's built for the God specifically connected to the nation of Israel.
"...he is the Lord that dwells in Jerusalem.": This affirms that God is uniquely present and manifests his power in Jerusalem. This emphasizes the importance of Jerusalem as the chosen city and the Temple as God's dwelling place. This emphasizes that the God they worship is the same God who is associated with Jerusalem.
In summary, 1 Esdras 2:5 is part of a proclamation encouraging Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem, with divine blessing, to rebuild the Temple, emphasizing God's special relationship with the city and its people.
Context within 1 Esdras:
It's important to note that 1 Esdras (also known as 3 Ezra in some traditions) is considered deuterocanonical or apocryphal by many Christian denominations and is part of the Hebrew Bible for Ethiopian Orthodox Jews. It parallels portions of the canonical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, often presenting a slightly different version of events. The decree of Cyrus and the return of the exiles are historical events, but 1 Esdras offers its unique perspective.
Comparison with Ezra 1:3:
This verse is very similar to Ezra 1:3, which states: "Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem." You can see how 1 Esdras 2:5 is a slightly expanded version, adding more emphasis on the connection between God and Jerusalem.