What is the meaning of Ezra 5:15?

and instructed

The narrative reminds us that God uses earthly rulers to carry out His divine purposes. Cyrus’s precise directive (Ezra 1:2–4; 2 Chron 36:23) shows:

• A written, authoritative command—nothing casual or symbolic.

• Fulfillment of Isaiah 44:28, where God foretold that Cyrus would say, “Let it be rebuilt.”

• Confirmation that the events recorded are historical facts, not moralistic legends.

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Take these articles

• The “articles” are the gold and silver vessels Nebuchadnezzar had looted (Ezra 1:7–11; Jeremiah 27:22).

• Returning them restores what was holy to its rightful use, underscoring God’s faithfulness even after judgment.

• Their physical presence testifies to God’s ability to preserve what belongs to Him (John 10:28 speaks similarly of His people).

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put them in the temple in Jerusalem

• Jerusalem is the city God chose for His Name (Deuteronomy 12:5; Psalm 132:13).

• Placing the vessels there re-centers worship where God ordained, rejecting any substitute sites (compare John 4:20–22).

• The location links the second temple directly to Solomon’s, reinforcing continuity in covenant worship (1 Kings 8:29).

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and let the house of God be rebuilt

• This is more than a renovation; it is a divine mandate to re-establish public, corporate worship (Haggai 1:8; Hebrews 10:25).

• Cyrus’s decree supplies governmental backing, materials, and freedom to finish the work (Ezra 6:3–5).

• God’s sovereignty shines: pagan resources fund holy purposes (Proverbs 21:1; Philippians 4:19).

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on its original site

• “Original site” anchors the project on the very foundation laid by Solomon (2 Chron 3:1).

• It safeguards doctrinal purity—no new designs, no relocated shrine—just faithful restoration (Jeremiah 6:16).

• By standing where the first temple stood, the new structure becomes a visible sign of God’s unbroken promises (Isaiah 58:12), pointing ahead to the living temple of Christ’s body and His people (John 2:19; 1 Peter 2:5).

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summary

Ezra 5:15 records Cyrus’s exact command: return the sacred vessels, place them back in Jerusalem, and rebuild God’s house precisely where it once stood. Every phrase highlights God’s fidelity, the sanctity of true worship, and His power to move kings for His covenant people. The verse assures readers that God restores what He has judged, preserves what is holy, and anchors His work firmly on the foundation He Himself ordained.