Ezra 1:3 - Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
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What does "Ezra 1:3" mean?
This verse, Ezra 1:3, is a pivotal statement in the Book of Ezra and signals the permission granted by Cyrus the Great, the Persian King, for the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Let's break down its meaning:
"Whoever there is among you of all his people...": This phrase emphasizes the inclusiveness of the decree. It extends to any Jew, regardless of their background, location within the Persian Empire, or social standing. Anyone who identifies as part of the Jewish people is welcome to participate.
"...may his God be with him...": This is a blessing and expresses Cyrus's acknowledgment of the God of the Israelites. While Cyrus himself likely adhered to Zoroastrianism, he recognized the importance of each group worshipping their own deities. This part is significant because it signals a favorable attitude and provides assurance of divine support for those undertaking this challenging task.
"...and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah...": This grants the specific permission to return to Jerusalem, the historical and religious center of the Jewish people, located in the region of Judah. "Going up" is a common phrase referring to the journey to Jerusalem, both because of its elevated position geographically and its importance religiously.
"...and build the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.": This clearly states the purpose of the return: to rebuild the Temple of Yahweh (God's personal name), the central place of worship for the Jewish people, in its original location in Jerusalem. The phrase "(he is God)" is a declaration of Yahweh's sovereignty and a reaffirmation of monotheism. By identifying Yahweh as "the God of Israel" and declaring that "he is God," the verse emphasizes the importance of rebuilding the Temple to restore the proper worship of the one true God.
In essence, the verse means:
Cyrus is permitting any Jewish person in his empire who wishes to do so to return to Jerusalem, with his blessing and implicit support, to rebuild the Temple of Yahweh, the God of Israel. This act is presented as fulfilling a divine purpose and restoring the rightful place of worship for the Jewish people in their homeland.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This decree is seen as fulfilling prophecies in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Isaiah 44:28, 45:1) concerning the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Restoration: It marks the beginning of the restoration of Jewish religious and national life after the Babylonian exile.
Divine Providence: The verse suggests that God is working through Cyrus, a foreign king, to achieve his purposes for his people.
Centrality of the Temple: It underscores the central role of the Temple in Jewish religious life and identity.
In conclusion, this verse is a powerful declaration of permission, blessing, and purpose that set in motion the return of the Jewish exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, events of immense significance in Jewish history and theology.
Ezra 1:3 - Whoever there is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
What does "Ezra 1:3" mean?
This verse, Ezra 1:3, is a pivotal statement in the Book of Ezra and signals the permission granted by Cyrus the Great, the Persian King, for the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. Let's break down its meaning:
"Whoever there is among you of all his people...": This phrase emphasizes the inclusiveness of the decree. It extends to any Jew, regardless of their background, location within the Persian Empire, or social standing. Anyone who identifies as part of the Jewish people is welcome to participate.
"...may his God be with him...": This is a blessing and expresses Cyrus's acknowledgment of the God of the Israelites. While Cyrus himself likely adhered to Zoroastrianism, he recognized the importance of each group worshipping their own deities. This part is significant because it signals a favorable attitude and provides assurance of divine support for those undertaking this challenging task.
"...and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah...": This grants the specific permission to return to Jerusalem, the historical and religious center of the Jewish people, located in the region of Judah. "Going up" is a common phrase referring to the journey to Jerusalem, both because of its elevated position geographically and its importance religiously.
"...and build the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.": This clearly states the purpose of the return: to rebuild the Temple of Yahweh (God's personal name), the central place of worship for the Jewish people, in its original location in Jerusalem. The phrase "(he is God)" is a declaration of Yahweh's sovereignty and a reaffirmation of monotheism. By identifying Yahweh as "the God of Israel" and declaring that "he is God," the verse emphasizes the importance of rebuilding the Temple to restore the proper worship of the one true God.
In essence, the verse means:
Cyrus is permitting any Jewish person in his empire who wishes to do so to return to Jerusalem, with his blessing and implicit support, to rebuild the Temple of Yahweh, the God of Israel. This act is presented as fulfilling a divine purpose and restoring the rightful place of worship for the Jewish people in their homeland.
Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: This decree is seen as fulfilling prophecies in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Isaiah 44:28, 45:1) concerning the return of the exiles and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Restoration: It marks the beginning of the restoration of Jewish religious and national life after the Babylonian exile.
Divine Providence: The verse suggests that God is working through Cyrus, a foreign king, to achieve his purposes for his people.
Centrality of the Temple: It underscores the central role of the Temple in Jewish religious life and identity.
In conclusion, this verse is a powerful declaration of permission, blessing, and purpose that set in motion the return of the Jewish exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, events of immense significance in Jewish history and theology.