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All of Ezra

Bible Chapter Summary

Ezra 1 Summary

Cyrus Proclaims the Temple Rebuilding

In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, the LORD stirred up his spirit to proclaim throughout his kingdom that the God of heaven has charged him to build a house for the LORD at Jerusalem. Cyrus calls upon all of God's people to go up to Jerusalem and build the temple, with neighbors providing silver, gold, goods, and beasts to help. The chief fathers of Judah and Benjamin, the priests, and the Levites—all whose spirits the LORD had raised—rose up to return and build the house of the LORD.

Key themes

Cyrus's proclamationGod stirred his spiritTemple rebuilding beginsCommunity supportFreewill offerings

Key verses

Ezra 1:1

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 Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,

Ezra 1:2

Thus 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.

Ezra 1:5

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 house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.

Ezra 1:6

And 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.

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