Ezr 1:2 | TNotes | STEP | 1:2 Though Cyrus speaks of the Lord , the God of heaven, Cyrus actually was a Zoroastrian. His proclamation, written in Hebrew, was probably political propaganda to gain Jewish support for his rule. In a similar statement to the Babylonians, Cyrus claimed to worship their chief god, Marduk. However, his words here do reflect that God had appointed him to build him a Temple at Jerusalem (see Isa 44:28 ; 45:1 , 13 ). He might have learned of such prophecies from Daniel, who served in his court as a high government official (Cyrus is apparently referred to by his Median name, Darius, in Dan 6:1-28 ; 9:1 ). God had long planned to raise up Cyrus and give him a vision to restore worship at Jerusalem (Isa 44:28 ; 45:13 ; 48:14-15 ).

a1:2►

bIsa 44:28►

c45:1►

d13►

eDan 6:1-28►

f9:1►

gIsa 44:28►

h45:13►

i48:14-15►

‏ Ezra 1:2

1:2 ^a Though Cyrus speaks of the Lord, the God of heaven, Cyrus actually was a Zoroastrian. His proclamation, written in Hebrew, was probably political propaganda to gain Jewish support for his rule. In a similar statement to the Babylonians, Cyrus claimed to worship their chief god, Marduk. However, his words here do reflect that God had appointed him to build him a Temple at Jerusalem (see Isa 44:28 ^b; 45:1 ^c, 13 ^d). He might have learned of such prophecies from Daniel, who served in his court as a high government official (Cyrus is apparently referred to by his Median name, Darius, in Dan 6:1-28 ^e; 9:1 ^f). God had long planned to raise up Cyrus and give him a vision to restore worship at Jerusalem (Isa 44:28 ^g; 45:13 ^h; 48:14-15 ⁱ).