Definition: Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 1:2. It's a really important passage about a long time ago! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse says: “The King of Persia – which is a powerful ruler in the land of Persia – gave me permission to build a temple for God at Jerusalem.” Let’s unpack that a little further: “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia…” : This is just a way of saying the speaker is speaking as someone who was once a leader. Cyrus the Great was a powerful king in ancient times and he's giving this instruction. “…The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth…” : This is a big, fancy phrase that means God gave Cyrus the authority to rule over all the land and countries on Earth – basically, everything! It shows his immense power. “And he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which [is] in Judah.” : This is the most important part. Cyrus was told by God to build a special temple (a place for worship) in Jerusalem. He’s specifically instructed to build it in Judah , which is a specific region of Israel (the land that was then under Persian control). So, what's the big picture? This verse points to a time when God wanted to establish a special place of worship and a strong religious community in Jerusalem. It’s a significant event because it shows that God is actively involved in shaping history and establishing His people. Important Note: This story is often interpreted as a sign that God was working through Cyrus to help the Israelites rebuild their nation after a long period of exile. It's a reminder of God's faithfulness and his plan for redemption. --- Would you like me to explain any of these parts in more detail, or perhaps discuss why this verse is important? For example, we could talk about: The context of the time – what was happening in ancient Persia? What “Judah” meant at that point. The significance of building a temple.