Ezra 1

Jehovah, the LORD God of Israel

Jehovah — the premortal Christ

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, Ezra 1:1–3

Even a Persian king confesses that Jehovah, the God of Israel, 'is the God,' the one who gave him his kingdoms. Jehovah fulfills His word through Jeremiah and moves a foreign ruler to bring His people home; that God is the premortal Jesus Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• fulfils Jeremiah 29:10 — After seventy years at Babylon the LORD will bring them back.
• a parallel account in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 — The same decree closes Chronicles.

Cyrus, the Lord's anointed deliverer

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. Ezra 1:2–3

Cyrus, whom Isaiah called the LORD's anointed, releases the captives and sends them to rebuild the temple. He is a faint picture of Christ, the true Anointed, who delivers the captive and builds the house of God.

• fulfils Isaiah 44:28 — Cyrus foretold by name as the one who says the temple shall be built.
• alludes to Isaiah 45:1 — Cyrus called the LORD's anointed.
• a type of what is in Luke 4:18 — Christ preaches deliverance to the captives.