Ezra 1:3
What does Ezra 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 1:3 means
The decree opens the door to “whosoever” among God’s people to return. Cyrus blesses them—“his God be with him”—and directs them to go up to Jerusalem and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel. The parenthetical “he is God” underlines the reality and uniqueness of Israel’s God in contrast to the idols of the nations. The focus is not on personal ambition but on reestablishing worship at the place God chose. The verse dignifies voluntary obedience: those who feel called may rise and go. The call is inclusive of all Israel—God’s dispersed people—while the work is specific: rebuild the house of Jehovah in Jerusalem.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Whosoever there is 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 Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Whosoever there is 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 Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Whoever there is among you of his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and take in hand the building of the house of the Lord, the God of Israel; he is the God who is in Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862who <FI>is<Fi> among you of all His people? His God is with him, and he doth go up to Jerusalem, that <FI>is<Fi> in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, God of Israel--He <FI>is<Fi> God--that <FI>is<Fi> in Jerusalem.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him. Let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judea, and build the house of the Lord the God of Israel: he is the God that is in Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Whosoever there is among you of all his people, hisGod be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah theGod of Israel — he isGod — which is at Jerusalem.
Context
After stating his commission in verse 2, Cyrus now addresses the people directly, inviting participation in the rebuilding. This invitation is the practical outworking of the divine plan, poised to test the response of the exiles. The blessing anticipates God’s presence with those who obey. The next verse (4) ensures that even those who remain can participate by contributing materially. Together, verses 3–4 frame a two-fold response: some will go and build; others will support and supply, so that the temple work lacks nothing.
v.2Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath Jehovah, the God of heaven, given me; and he hath charged me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
v.3This passage
v.4And whosoever is left, in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the freewill-offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed; for Jehovah God, even my God, is with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah be finished.
- Acts 10:36
The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)—
- Isaiah 45:5
I am Jehovah, and there is none else; besides me there is no God. I will gird thee, though thou hast not known me;
- Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
- Matthew 28:20
teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
- Jeremiah 10:10
But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.