Ezra 1:5

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then rose up {H6965} the chief {H7218} of the fathers {H1} of Judah {H3063} and Benjamin {H1144}, and the priests {H3548}, and the Levites {H3881}, with all them whose spirit {H7307} God {H430} had raised {H5782}, to go up {H5927} to build {H1129} the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068} which is in Jerusalem {H3389}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The heads of fathers' clans in Y'hudah and Binyamin, along with the cohanim, the L'vi'im, and indeed all whose spirit God had stirred, set out to go up and rebuild the house of ADONAI in Yerushalayim.

Berean Standard Bible

So the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites—everyone whose spirit God had stirred—prepared to go up and rebuild the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.

American Standard Version

Then rose up the heads of fathers’housesof Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 1:5 vividly portrays the immediate and divinely-orchestrated response to King Cyrus's decree, which granted the Jewish exiles permission to return to Jerusalem and reconstruct the Temple. This pivotal verse identifies the specific leaders—the heads of the households of Judah and Benjamin, along with the priests and Levites—who, empowered by a supernatural stirring of their spirits by God, committed themselves to the monumental task of journeying back to their desolate homeland to re-establish the central place of worship for the LORD in Jerusalem. It underscores the essential role of divine enablement in the restoration of God's people and their sacred institutions, marking the practical commencement of the return from exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 1:5 serves as the crucial human response to the preceding divine and royal initiatives. It immediately follows King Cyrus's decree (Ezra 1:1-4), which is explicitly presented as a direct fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy concerning the seventy-year Babylonian captivity, as foretold in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"). The opening verses of Ezra emphasize God's sovereignty, stating that "the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia" (Ezra 1:1), thereby establishing the divine impetus behind the entire restoration. Verse 5 then shifts the narrative focus from the pagan king's pronouncement to the obedient and divinely-enabled actions of God's covenant people. By listing the key individuals and groups who would lead this monumental undertaking, it seamlessly transitions from the decree's proclamation to its active implementation, setting the stage for the detailed accounts of the return and rebuilding efforts that follow in [the book of Ezra](/ezra/1 "Ezra - The Return from Exile").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Ezra 1:5 is the nascent period of the Persian Empire, following its decisive conquest of Babylon in 539 BC. The Babylonian Empire had previously devastated Jerusalem and its sacred Temple in 586 BC, forcibly deporting a significant portion of the Jewish population into exile. King Cyrus the Great, renowned for his enlightened and pragmatic policy towards conquered peoples, issued a decree in 538 BC, which uniquely permitted various exiled groups to return to their ancestral lands and rebuild their religious sanctuaries. This policy, a stark contrast to the Assyrian and Babylonian practices of forced assimilation, proved instrumental for the Jewish return. The "chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin" represent the established tribal and familial leadership, while the "priests, and the Levites" constituted the indispensable spiritual and liturgical authorities, whose presence was vital for the Temple's reconstruction and the re-establishment of proper worship. Their willingness to abandon the relative comfort and stability of Babylon, where many had lived for generations, for the arduous and uncertain journey back to a desolate homeland, powerfully attests to the strength of their faith and the profound divine impetus driving them. This return marks a monumental turning point, fulfilling ancient prophecies and inaugurating a new era for God's covenant people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Central among these is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, as God actively intervenes in human history, even utilizing a pagan ruler like Cyrus, to meticulously fulfill His promises and orchestrate the restoration of His people. The crucial phrase "whose spirit God had raised" directly highlights God's active, internal involvement in the hearts of individuals, demonstrating that the return was not merely a human initiative but a divinely enabled and empowered one. This also powerfully underscores the theme of **Obedience and Faith**, as the exiles' response embodies a courageous act of faith in God's word and an obedient commitment to His call, despite the daunting challenges that lay ahead. Their actions echo the foundational faith demonstrated by Abraham in [Genesis 12:1-4](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-4 - The Call of Abraham"), who also left his familiar homeland in response to a divine summons. Finally, the ultimate objective to "build the house of the LORD" emphasizes the profound theme of **Restoration of Worship and Covenant**, signifying the re-establishment of the central place of communion between God and His people, which was absolutely essential for their spiritual identity and national renewal after generations of exile. This theme is central to the entire post-exilic period, extending through [the book of Nehemiah](/nehemiah/1 "Nehemiah - Rebuilding the Walls").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rose up (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** From H6965, a primitive root meaning "to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)." In Ezra 1:5, this verb signifies more than merely standing; it denotes a decisive and purposeful action, a readiness to embark on a difficult mission. It implies a shift from a state of passive waiting or exile to active and intentional participation in God's redemptive plan, highlighting the resolve and commitment of those who responded to the decree.
* **Raised (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** From H5782, a primitive root meaning "to wake (literally or figuratively); (a-) wake(-n, up), lift up (self), raise (up), stir up (self)." The specific form used here (Hiphil) carries the causative sense of "to stir up," "to awaken," or "to arouse." It conveys the idea of a divine instigation, an internal prompting or quickening of the spirit that moves individuals to action. This is not a forced compulsion but an inner enablement and motivation, indicating God's direct work in the hearts of His people, providing the necessary courage and determination for the arduous task ahead.
* **Spirit (Hebrew, _rûwach'_):** From H7307, meaning "wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions)." In this context, _rûwach_ refers to the inner disposition, will, or vital energy of a person. When God "raises" or "stirs" one's spirit, it implies a divine infusion of courage, determination, and spiritual readiness. It is the very essence of their being being divinely activated for a specific purpose, demonstrating God's intimate involvement in human volition and capacity for obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin":** This clause identifies the primary leaders from the two dominant tribes of the southern kingdom, Judah and Benjamin, who formed the core of the returning exiles. Their "rising up" signifies their active and willing acceptance of the responsibility to lead the return. As heads of households, they represented the foundational units of Israelite society, indicating a broad-based, organized response from the community's established leadership, ready to undertake the challenging journey and rebuilding efforts.
* **"and the priests, and the Levites":** This specifies the religious leadership, whose participation was absolutely crucial for the Temple's rebuilding and the re-establishment of proper worship according to Mosaic law. The priests were responsible for sacrificial rituals, intercession, and teaching, while the Levites were tasked with various Temple services, music, and instruction. Their inclusion highlights the spiritual nature of the entire enterprise and the necessity of restoring the Mosaic cult and the proper order of divine service in Jerusalem.
* **"with all [them] whose spirit God had raised":** This is the theological core of the verse, providing the ultimate explanation for the exiles' willingness to return. It clarifies that the motivation for this arduous undertaking was not merely human ambition, political opportunism, or a simple response to a decree, but a direct, supernatural work of God in the hearts of individuals. This divine stirring provided the necessary courage, faith, and resolve to face the immense challenges of resettlement and reconstruction in a desolate land. It implies that not every exile returned, but only those divinely prompted and empowered for this specific, sacred mission.
* **"to go up to build the house of the LORD which [is] in Jerusalem":** This clause states the ultimate and singular purpose of their return. "To go up" signifies the ascent to Jerusalem, which was not just a geographical journey but a sacred pilgrimage to the holy city. The objective was not merely to return to their land for its own sake, but specifically to rebuild the Temple, the physical manifestation of God's presence among His people and the undisputed center of their national and spiritual life. This goal underscores the profound religious and covenantal significance of the entire endeavor, aiming to restore proper worship, communion with God, and the identity of Israel as a people set apart for Him.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 1:5 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Divine Agency**, explicitly stated through the phrase "whose spirit God had raised." This directly attributes the motivation for the return not to human will or political decree alone, but to God's active, internal intervention, underscoring His absolute sovereignty over historical events and the human heart. The verse also utilizes **Synecdoche** by naming specific, representative groups ("chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin," "priests," "Levites") to stand for the broader community of returning exiles, implying that these leaders embody the spirit and commitment of all those who were divinely stirred. Furthermore, the act of "rising up" functions as a **Metaphor** for taking decisive action and embarking on a challenging journey of faith, symbolizing a profound transition from passive exile and despair to active participation in God's redemptive plan. Finally, the entire passage serves as a **Narrative Bridge**, seamlessly connecting Cyrus's decree in the preceding verses to the actual commencement of the return and the arduous rebuilding efforts that follow, thereby structuring the compelling narrative flow of the book of Ezra.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 1:5 stands as a profound theological statement on the interplay of divine initiative and human response in the outworking of God's redemptive plan. It powerfully illustrates that even when God utilizes secular authorities, like King Cyrus, to accomplish His overarching purposes, the ultimate success and spiritual vitality of His work depend fundamentally on His direct engagement with the hearts of His people. The "raising of spirit" signifies a divine empowerment, a spiritual awakening that overcomes inertia, fear, and the comfort of the familiar to embrace a challenging and often daunting call. This concept resonates throughout the entirety of Scripture, demonstrating that true spiritual movement, courageous obedience, and genuine faithfulness are always rooted in God's prior and enabling work within the individual. It underscores the profound theological truth that God not only issues a call but also graciously provides the will, the courage, and the means for His people to fulfill His purposes, particularly in the context of restoring worship and covenant faithfulness after a period of spiritual decline or judgment.

* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile")
* [Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Works in Believers")
* [Nehemiah 2:12](/nehemiah/2-12 "Nehemiah 2:12 - Nehemiah's Spirit Stirred to Rebuild")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound account in Ezra 1:5 offers timeless and deeply relevant principles for contemporary believers. Just as God supernaturally stirred the spirits of the Jewish exiles to undertake the arduous task of rebuilding the physical Temple, so too does He continue to prompt, inspire, and empower His people today for various acts of service, mission, and personal transformation. This verse challenges us to cultivate a profound sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading, recognizing that genuine spiritual initiative often originates from a divine quickening within our hearts, rather than from mere human effort, ambition, or external pressure. It calls us to courageous obedience, reminding us that God's calls frequently involve stepping out of our comfort zones, embracing difficult tasks, and trusting implicitly in His enablement for what may seem humanly impossible. Our "temples" today are not just physical buildings but our individual lives, our families, our communities, and the Church itself, all of which may require "rebuilding," spiritual renewal, or courageous engagement. Ezra 1:5 assures us that when God raises our spirit for a task, He also faithfully provides the necessary resolve, strength, and resources to see it through, transforming potential into purposeful, God-honoring action.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life, ministry, or community do you sense God might be "stirring your spirit" to take action or initiate a new endeavor?**
* **What particular "building" projects—whether spiritual, relational, or communal—might God be calling you to engage in, and what specific steps of faith are required to begin?**
* **How does recognizing God's active and internal role in "raising spirits" encourage and strengthen you when faced with daunting tasks or seemingly insurmountable challenges in your life?**
* **What practical disciplines or practices can you cultivate to foster a greater sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's prompting and guidance in your daily walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why did only "some" of the exiles return, as implied by "all them whose spirit God had raised"?**

Answer: The text indicates that not every Jewish exile returned to Jerusalem immediately, despite Cyrus's decree. Many had established lives, families, and businesses in Babylon over several generations, and the journey back to a desolate, ruined homeland presented significant challenges, uncertainties, and dangers. The phrase "all them whose spirit God had raised" emphasizes that the return was not merely a mass exodus driven by political decree or nationalistic fervor alone, but a divinely inspired and selective movement. It highlights that God specifically prompted certain individuals and families, endowing them with the faith, courage, and determination necessary to undertake this arduous task of spiritual and physical rebuilding. This divine selection ensured that those who returned were genuinely committed to the spiritual restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple, rather than merely seeking economic or social advancement. This concept is consistent with God's work throughout history, where He often calls a remnant or specific individuals to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the call of Abraham in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Call of Abraham") or the prophetic emphasis on the faithful remnant in [Isaiah 10:20-22](/isaiah/10-20 "Isaiah 10:20-22 - The Remnant of Israel").

**What was the significance of rebuilding the Temple, beyond just having a physical structure?**

Answer: Rebuilding the Temple was far more than a mere construction project; it was absolutely central to the spiritual, national, and covenantal identity of the Jewish people. The First Temple was understood as the physical dwelling place of God's manifest presence among His people, the primary site of atonement through sacrifice, and the focal point of the Mosaic covenant. Its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC symbolized the breaking of the covenant (due to Israel's unfaithfulness) and the withdrawal of God's visible presence. Therefore, its reconstruction represented the profound restoration of the covenant relationship, the re-establishment of proper worship according to God's commands, and the renewal of God's promises to His people. It was a tangible sign of God's faithfulness to His word, particularly the prophecy in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"), and a necessary step for the spiritual healing and re-ordering of the community, allowing for the resumption of sacrifices and festivals as prescribed in the Law, echoing the original command to build a sanctuary in [Exodus 25:8-9](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8-9 - Command to Build the Tabernacle"). It was about restoring their relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 1:5, with its powerful emphasis on God stirring the spirits of His people to rebuild the physical Temple, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, though divinely ordained and significant, was always a shadow, a type, and a prefigurement of the true and ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," explicitly referring to the temple of His body, which would be destroyed through crucifixion and gloriously resurrected (John 2:19-21). Through His sacrificial death on the cross and His triumphant resurrection, Jesus became the true and living Temple, the ultimate meeting place between a holy God and sinful humanity, where perfect atonement is made once for all (Hebrews 9:11-14). Furthermore, in the New Covenant inaugurated by Christ, God no longer dwells exclusively in temples made with human hands, but His Holy Spirit indwells individual believers, making them "a temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), and collectively building them into "a spiritual house" and "a holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5). Just as God supernaturally stirred the spirits of the exiles to rebuild the physical structure in Ezra's day, He now stirs the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit, empowering them to live as living stones in the spiritual temple of the Church, participating in the ongoing work of building His kingdom and proclaiming the good news of the One who is greater than the Temple (Matthew 12:6). The ultimate "going up to build" is now the spiritual pilgrimage of faith, empowered by the Spirit, to live out the reality of Christ's presence in the world, anticipating the New Jerusalem where God's presence is fully and eternally realized without any need for a literal temple (Revelation 21:22).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 1:1

¶ Now 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 made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and [put it] also in writing, saying,

Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

Nehemiah 2:12

And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I [any] man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither [was there any] beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

2 Corinthians 8:16

¶ But thanks [be] to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

James 1:16

Do not err, my beloved brethren.

James 1:17

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

2 Chronicles 36:22

¶ Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD [spoken] by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and [put it] also in writing, saying,