Ezra 1:3

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

מִֽי H4310
מִֽי
Strong's: H4310
Word #: 1 of 21
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
בָכֶ֣ם H0
בָכֶ֣ם
Strong's: H0
Word #: 2 of 21
מִכָּל H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמּ֗וֹ Who is there among you of all his people H5971
עַמּ֗וֹ Who is there among you of all his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 4 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יְהִ֤י H1961
יְהִ֤י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 5 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים he is the God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים he is the God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עִמּ֔וֹ H5973
עִמּ֔וֹ
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 7 of 21
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְיַ֕עַל be with him and let him go up H5927
וְיַ֕עַל be with him and let him go up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 8 of 21
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ to Jerusalem H3389
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ to Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 9 of 21
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 10 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה which is in Judah H3063
בִּֽיהוּדָ֑ה which is in Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 11 of 21
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְיִ֗בֶן and build H1129
וְיִ֗בֶן and build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 12 of 21
to build (literally and figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֤ית the house H1004
בֵּ֤ית the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 14 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָה֙ of the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 15 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים he is the God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים he is the God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 16 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 17 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
ה֥וּא H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 18 of 21
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים he is the God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים he is the God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 19 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 20 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ to Jerusalem H3389
בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ to Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 21 of 21
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Analysis & Commentary

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. Cyrus's decree transitions from proclamation to invitation. The interrogative 'Who is there among you' functions as both invitation and challenge, requiring voluntary response. The blessing 'his God be with him' acknowledges the personal covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people.

The parenthetical affirmation 'he is the God' represents remarkable confession. Whether Cyrus was affirming monotheism or acknowledging Yahweh's supremacy, this validated Jewish faith and provided official recognition. The phrase 'which is in Jerusalem' emphasizes Jerusalem's unique status as God's chosen dwelling place.

Theologically, this verse teaches that true worship must be voluntary, not coerced. The invitation-format respects human agency while providing divine authorization. God's presence ('his God be with him') is the true source of success, not merely favorable circumstances.

Historical Context

Ancient decrees typically commanded obedience; Cyrus's invitation-format respected Jewish religious conviction. The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem covered approximately 900 miles, requiring four months of travel. This involved real sacrifice and risk, separating those with deep conviction from those comfortable in exile.

Many Jews had established successful lives in Babylon over two generations and faced genuine dilemma about leaving prosperity for uncertain future. The voluntary nature meant returnees demonstrated genuine commitment rather than mere compliance.

The emphasis on Jerusalem's unique status countered syncretistic tendencies to worship elsewhere. The Samaritans had established alternative worship centers, but God's presence was specifically identified with Jerusalem.

Questions for Reflection