The big picture
Ezra 1 opens in verse 1 with “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 6 with “And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with…”, and closes in verse 11 with “All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did…” Repeated or prominent terms include Jerusalem, house, LORD, Cyrus, gold. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Ezra · King James Version · 11Ezra 1:1-6
1–6: In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by…
Ezra 1:1–6 opens with “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of…” and reaches “And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Cyrus’s proclamation read as families prepare to return and temple vessels are counted out, with particular weight carried by Jerusalem, LORD, house.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled…” Naming Cyrus and Persia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“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…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Ezra 1:1-6
King James Version1Now 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 kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3Who 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.
4And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
5Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.
6And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
Ezra 1:7-11
7–11: Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD …
Ezra 1:7–11 opens with “Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD , which Nebuchadnezzar…” and reaches “All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Cyrus’s proclamation read as families prepare to return and temple vessels are counted out, with particular weight carried by gold, silver, vessels.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD , which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of…” Naming Also and Cyrus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Ezra 1:7-11
King James Version7Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD , which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
8Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
9And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
10Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
11All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Ezra 1:1 begins with “Now 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…”
Where the chapter turns
Ezra 1:5 forms a natural hinge: “Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build…”
The final note
Ezra 1:11 leaves the reader with “All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jerusalem, house, LORD, Cyrus, gold, king help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.