Ezra 5:13
But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.
Original Language Analysis
בְּרַם֙
But
H1297
בְּרַם֙
But
Strong's:
H1297
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, highly, i.e., surely; but used adversatively, however
חֲדָ֔ה
in the first
H2298
חֲדָ֔ה
in the first
Strong's:
H2298
Word #:
3 of 15
as card. one; as article single; as an ordinal, first; adverbially, at once
דִּ֣י
H1768
דִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
6 of 15
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
בָבֶ֑ל
of Babylon
H895
בָבֶ֑ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H895
Word #:
7 of 15
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
שָׂ֣ם
made
H7761
שָׂ֣ם
made
Strong's:
H7761
Word #:
10 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
טְעֵ֔ם
a decree
H2942
טְעֵ֔ם
a decree
Strong's:
H2942
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment (both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subjectively and objectively)
Historical Context
Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon in October 539 BC, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His first regnal year as Babylon's king began in spring 538 BC, when he issued the decree permitting Jewish return. The Cyrus Cylinder confirms his policy of religious restoration and repatriation of exiled peoples. By referencing Cyrus's decree, the Jews appealed to legitimate Persian precedent that current officials were bound to honor.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that Cyrus served God's purposes—even unknowingly—shape our understanding of God's sovereignty over world leaders?
- What hope does the pattern of judgment followed by restoration offer to believers experiencing consequences of past unfaithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
The elders pivoted from judgment to restoration: "But in the first year of Cyrus..." The Aramaic beram (but/however) marks a dramatic transition from exile to return. Cyrus is notably called "king of Babylon"—his title after conquering that empire in 539 BC—emphasizing that the same throne that destroyed the temple now authorized its rebuilding.
The decree (teem) to rebuild represented divine reversal of judgment. What Nebuchadnezzar destroyed, Cyrus would restore. This pattern—exile followed by restoration—embodied the prophetic promises of Jeremiah and Isaiah. The elders' testimony connected Persian imperial history to God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that human kingdoms ultimately serve divine purposes.