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,
Cross-reference
Ezra 1:5 describes the immediate response to Cyrus's decree, with God raising the spirits of the people to go rebuild.
In Ezra 7:27, God similarly moves King Artaxerxes to beautify the temple. Both show God shaping Persian kings' hearts for His purposes.
Ezra 5:13-15 recounts the same decree of Cyrus, providing additional details about the temple vessels.
Ezra 6:14 notes that the temple was finished according to the commandment of Cyrus, showing the fulfillment of the decree from Ezra 1:1.
In Ezra 4:3, the Jewish leaders explicitly cite Cyrus's command as authorization for rebuilding, directly referencing the decree from Ezra 1:1.
Ezra 6:3 provides the exact text of Cyrus's decree found in the archives, confirming and expanding the proclamation in Ezra 1:1.
Ezra 9:9 thanks God for mercy through Persian kings, recalling the restoration begun by Cyrus's decree in Ezra 1:1.
Proverbs 21:1 states the king's heart is turned by God. Ezra 1:1 is a direct example of this principle in action.
Psalm 106:46 celebrates God causing captors to pity Israel. This same divine influence appears here as Cyrus shows compassion.
Jeremiah 25:12-14 prophesied the seventy-year exile and punishment of Babylon, fulfilled by Cyrus's decree.
2 Chronicles 36:23 records the proclamation that follows the identical introductory verse in Ezra 1:1.
2 Chronicles 36:22 is word-for-word identical to Ezra 1:1, directly continuing the narrative.
Jeremiah 29:10 specifically promises return after seventy years, which Ezra 1:1 says was fulfilled.
Jeremiah 27:22 promises return after exile, a prophecy directly fulfilled by Cyrus's decree in Ezra 1:1.
Deuteronomy 30:3 promises restoration of Israel from exile. Ezra 1:1 marks the beginning of that restoration under Cyrus.
Isaiah 45:1 calls Cyrus God's anointed and grants him victory, setting the stage for his decree recorded in Ezra 1:1.
Haggai 1:14 describes God stirring the spirits of the leaders and people to rebuild the temple — the same divine motivation that moved Cyrus in Ezra 1:1.
Isaiah 44:28 names Cyrus as God's shepherd who will rebuild Jerusalem and the temple, exactly what Cyrus's decree in Ezra 1:1 begins.
Psalm 126:1 celebrates the restoration of Zion's fortunes, exactly what Cyrus's decree initiated in Ezra 1:1.
Psalm 102:13 anticipates God's set time to favor Zion, which Ezra 1:1 records as the moment Cyrus's decree begins restoration.
2 Chronicles 36:20 recounts the exile to Babylon, the very condition that set up the need for the return decree in Ezra 1:1.
2 Chronicles 6:25 repeats Solomon's prayer for restoration. Same link as 1 Kings 8:34 – God answering that prayer here.
1 Kings 8:34 records Solomon's prayer for God to bring Israel back. Ezra 1:1 shows God answering that prayer through Cyrus.
Jeremiah 33:7-13 promises restoration of Judah and Jerusalem, a broader prophecy fulfilled by the decree.