Ezra 1:5

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּק֜וּמוּ

H6965

Then rose up

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

רָאשֵׁ֣י

H7218

the chief

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הָֽאָב֗וֹת

of the fathers

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

לִֽיהוּדָה֙

H3063

of Judah

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וּבִנְיָמִ֔ן

H1144

and Benjamin

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וְהַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים

H3548

and the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְהַלְוִיִּ֑ם

H3881

and the Levites

a levite or descendant of levi

לְכֹ֨ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הֵעִ֤יר

H5782

had raised

to wake (literally or figuratively)

#10

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙

H430

God

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

#11

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#12

רוּח֔וֹ

H7307

with all them whose spirit

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

#13

לַֽעֲל֣וֹת

H5927

to go up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

#14

לִבְנ֔וֹת

H1129

to build

to build (literally and figuratively)

#15

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#16

בֵּ֥ית

H1004

the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#17

יְהוָ֖ה

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#18

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#19

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃

H3389

which is in Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?