📖 Ezra — Chapter 1 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Ezra 1:1 RNow 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 Tmade a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
Ezra 1:2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The RLORD 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 1:3 Who is there among you of all his people? Rhis 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.
Ezra 1:4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, Rlet the men of his place Thelp him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:5 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them Rwhose 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 RTstrengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered.
Ezra 1:7 RAlso Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
Ezra 1:8 Even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto RSheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
Ezra 1:9 And this is the number of them: thirty Rchargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
Ezra 1:10 Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.
Ezra 1:11 All Rthe vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of Tthe captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 1:1–4 — Cyrus opens the way
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD stirs Cyrus to issue a proclamation permitting return and the rebuilding of God's house. Neighbors are invited to help with resources and freewill gifts. The account connects this opportunity with the fulfillment of God's word through Jeremiah. Restoration begins with God's initiative and calls for a willing human response.
Key Truth: Respond faithfully when a way for renewal opens.
Check What You Remember
1. Which king issued the proclamation? (Ezra 1:1)
Find it in Ezra 1:1 (KJV).
2. Over which kingdom did he rule? (Ezra 1:1)
Find it in Ezra 1:1 (KJV).
3. In which city was the house to be rebuilt? (Ezra 1:2)
Find it in Ezra 1:2 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 1:5–6 — People and neighbors respond
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Leaders of Judah and Benjamin, priests, Levites, and others whose spirits God raises prepare to go. Their neighbors strengthen their hands with gifts. The return involves both those who travel and those who provide support. A shared work can include different contributions without requiring everyone to carry the same role.
Key Truth: Support faithful work with the contribution you can make.
Check What You Remember
1. Name one tribe whose leaders rose to go. (Ezra 1:5)
Find it in Ezra 1:5 (KJV).
2. Who had raised the returning people's spirits? (Ezra 1:5)
Find it in Ezra 1:5 (KJV).
3. Name one kind of help neighbors gave. (Ezra 1:6)
Find it in Ezra 1:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 1:7–11 — The vessels returned
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Cyrus brings out the temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar and entrusts them to Sheshbazzar. The list records their careful handling as they accompany the returning people. The return of these objects links the rebuilding with the worship interrupted by exile. Restoration includes recovering what had been displaced.
Key Truth: Treat entrusted resources with care in rebuilding.
Check What You Remember
1. Who had taken the vessels from Jerusalem? (Ezra 1:7)
Find it in Ezra 1:7 (KJV).
2. Which treasurer numbered them to Sheshbazzar? (Ezra 1:8)
Find it in Ezra 1:8 (KJV).
3. Where were the vessels taken with the returnees? (Ezra 1:11)
Find it in Ezra 1:11 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
2 Chronicles 36:22 — Chronicles closes with the proclamation Ezra now takes up.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
What part could you take in a needed work of renewal, whether by doing or supporting it?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What purpose does the opening connect with Cyrus’s proclamation?
2. What does Cyrus say God has charged him to do?
3. How can people who remain support the return?
4. What connects Cyrus’s action and the returnees’ willingness?
5. How are the restored vessels linked to the earlier exile?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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