וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת אַחַ֗ת לְכֹ֨ורֶשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֔ס לִכְלֹ֥ות דְּבַר־יְהוָ֖ה מִפִּ֣י יִרְמְיָ֑ה הֵעִ֣יר יְהוָ֗ה אֶת־ר֨וּחַ֙ כֹּ֣רֶשׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־פָּרַ֔ס וַיַּֽעֲבֶר־קֹול֙ בְּכָל־מַלְכוּתֹ֔ו וְגַם־בְּמִכְתָּ֖ב לֵאמֹֽר׃
Contextual Introduction
Ezra 1:1 begins the historical account of Israel’s return from exile under the decree of King Koresh (Cyrus) of Persia. This verse connects the historical moment to prophecy, specifically that of Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah), and attributes Cyrus’s action to divine inspiration. The grammar weaves together time, purpose, and causation, showing YHWH’s sovereignty over kings and history through carefully sequenced clauses.
Grammatical Focus: Temporal Prepositions, Infinitive Construct Purpose Clauses, and Hiphil Causation
1. וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת אַחַ֗ת לְכֹ֨ורֶשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֔ס – Temporal and Construct Chain
– וּבִשְׁנַ֣ת אַחַ֗ת (“and in the first year”) begins the verse with a time reference using a construct phrase.
– לְכֹ֨ורֶשׁ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ פָּרַ֔ס (“of Koresh king of Persia”) completes the construct chain, indicating whose reign is being referenced.
This temporal clause sets the historical and political stage.
2. לִכְלֹ֥ות דְּבַר־יְהוָ֖ה מִפִּ֣י יִרְמְיָ֑ה – Purpose Clause with Infinitive Construct
– לִכְלֹ֥ות is an infinitive construct from כָּלָה (“to complete”), with the preposition לְ denoting purpose: “to fulfill.”
– דְּבַר־יְהוָ֖ה (“the word of YHWH”) is in construct.
– מִפִּ֣י יִרְמְיָ֑ה (“from the mouth of Jeremiah”) indicates the source of the prophecy.
The clause expresses divine intent to fulfill prophetic promise through historical action.
3. הֵעִ֣יר יְהוָ֗ה אֶת־ר֨וּחַ֙ כֹּ֣רֶשׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־פָּרַ֔ס – Causative Verb with Direct Object
– הֵעִ֣יר is Hiphil perfect 3ms from עוּר (“to rouse, stir up”)—a causative action attributed to YHWH.
– אֶת־ר֨וּחַ֙ (“the spirit”) is the direct object.
– כֹּ֣רֶשׁ מֶֽלֶךְ־פָּרַ֔ס identifies the recipient: “Cyrus king of Persia.”
This divine action is central: it transforms prophecy into fulfillment.
4. וַיַּֽעֲבֶר־קֹול֙ בְּכָל־מַלְכוּתֹ֔ו וְגַם־בְּמִכְתָּ֖ב לֵאמֹֽר – Narrative Continuation with Clarification
– וַיַּֽעֲבֶר־קֹול֙ (“and he caused a proclamation to go forth”)—wayyiqtol form of עָבַר in Hiphil with קֹול (“voice,” “proclamation”) as the object.
– בְּכָל־מַלְכוּתֹ֔ו (“throughout all his kingdom”) gives scope.
– וְגַם־בְּמִכְתָּ֖ב (“and also in writing”) adds the written decree.
– לֵאמֹֽר (“saying”) introduces direct speech that follows in the next verse.
Theological and Literary Implications
The verse presents history as shaped by divine word and divine will. YHWH not only speaks through prophets but stirs pagan kings to act in fulfillment. The verb הֵעִ֣יר suggests awakening, implying Cyrus’s action is divinely compelled, not merely political.
The structure also reflects covenantal faithfulness: prophecy is fulfilled not randomly but “to complete the word of YHWH.” Syntax becomes theology—infinitives and causative verbs reveal YHWH as the sovereign orchestrator of both sacred time and imperial decree.
Versions and Comparative Observations
The Septuagint: Καὶ ἐν τῷ πρώτῳ ἔτει Κύρου βασιλέως Περσῶν, ἐν τῷ τέλει τοῦ λόγου Κυρίου ἐκ στόματος Ἱερεμίου, ἐξήγειρεν Κύριος τὸ πνεῦμα Κύρου—mirrors the Hebrew’s theological causation and temporal precision.
The Vulgate: In anno primo Cyri regis Persarum, ut compleretur verbum Domini ex ore Ieremiae, suscitavit Dominus spiritum Cyri regis Persarum—preserves the divine initiative and purpose.
When Prophecy Moves a King: Syntax as Sovereign Strategy
Ezra 1:1 turns narrative into fulfillment. Time is marked, prophecy is cited, and a king is stirred—not by conquest, but by divine whisper. The grammar—temporal clauses, infinitive purpose, and causative verbs—narrates a theology of history: that even imperial power bends to the quiet unfolding of YHWH’s eternal word.
