Tag Archives: Ezra 1:1

Stirring the Spirit of a King: Temporal Clauses, Infinitives, and Divine Causation in Ezra 1:1

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.… Learn Hebrew
Posted in Grammar, Theology | Tagged | Comments Off on Stirring the Spirit of a King: Temporal Clauses, Infinitives, and Divine Causation in Ezra 1:1