כּ֫וֹרֶשׁ (ko.resh)
ko.resh
Cyrus
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name koresh refers to Cyrus, the king of Persia who conquered Babylon and issued the decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. This figure appears in thirteen verses, primarily in Ezra, 2 Chronicles, and Isaiah, marking a pivotal moment when foreign power facilitated the restoration of Israel’s community.
Lexical sources note that the name likely means "possess thou the furnace," though this etymology does not alter its historical function in the text. The biblical narrative presents Cyrus not merely as a political actor but as an instrument of divine purpose, fulfilling earlier prophecy by enabling the rebuilding of the temple and the re-establishment of Jewish life in their land.
Translators consistently render koresh as "Cyrus," preserving the proper noun without attempting to translate its meaning. The emphasis in Scripture lies on his role as a liberator rather than his personal faith, highlighting how God uses even non-Israelite rulers to advance His plans for restoration and justice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Cyrus appears in Scripture as a reminder that God’s plans often unfold through unexpected channels. As the king who allowed the Jewish exiles to return home, he is described not just as a political leader but as someone stirred by Yahweh to fulfill ancient prophecy. This shows us that divine purpose can work through history in ways we might not anticipate.
For your faith, this offers comfort. It suggests that even when circumstances seem outside your control, God remains active. The text highlights how a foreign ruler’s decree became the means for restoration, reminding believers that sovereignty belongs to God alone. You can trust that He is working behind the scenes, even in seasons of waiting or transition.
Reflecting on Cyrus helps ground our hope in God’s faithfulness across time. Just as He moved hearts and policies then, He continues to guide history toward His intended ends. This perspective encourages patience and trust, knowing that no event is too large or too small for His attention.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Cyrus9×
- of/ Cyrus5×
- to/ Cyrus1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/כ֙וֹרֶשׁ֙4×
- כּ֥וֹרֶשׁ2×
- כּ֚וֹרֶשׁ2×
- לְ/כ֥וֹרֶשׁ1×
- לְ/כ֣וֹרֶשׁ1×
- כֹּ֣רֶשׁ1×
- כֹּ֚רֶשׁ1×
- כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ\׀1×
- כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ1×
- כּ֔וֹרֶשׁ1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 44:28
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure,’ even saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built;’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’”
This verse identifies Cyrus as God’s shepherd who will fulfill His pleasure by rebuilding Jerusalem, showing how prophecy preceded the historical event.
-
Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that Yahweh’s word by Jeremiah’s mouth might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
Here, Yahweh stirs Cyrus’s spirit to issue a proclamation, demonstrating divine initiative in restoring Israel after exile.
-
Isaiah 45:1
Yahweh says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have held to subdue nations before him and strip kings of their armor, to open the doors before him, and the gates shall not be shut:
God calls Cyrus His anointed one and holds his right hand to subdue nations, highlighting the special role given to this non-Israelite king.