Ezra 5:13 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

But in the first year when Cyrus was king of Babylon, this same King Cyrus made an official order to rebuild this house of God.

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is explaining that King Cyrus officially commanded the rebuilding of God's temple in Jerusalem during his first year as ruler.

📚 Historical Context

This refers to 538 BC when Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon and became its ruler. Unlike previous conquerors, Cyrus had a policy of allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This decree fulfilled God's promise through the prophet Jeremiah that the Jewish exile would last 70 years.

Explore Similar Verses

Ezra 4:9

Then Rehum the governor and Shimshai the secretary wrote a letter, along with the rest of their associates: the people from Dina, Apharsathca, Tarpel, Apharsa, Archeva, Babylon, Shushan, Dehava, and Elam.

Ezra 5:17

So now, if it pleases the king, let someone search through the king's record house in Babylon to see if it's true that King Cyrus gave a decree to rebuild this house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us word about what he decides regarding this matter.

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