But in the first year that Cyrus reigned over the country of Babylonia: The contrastive conjunction But draws attention to the change in events. Cyrus was the Persian emperor, but he conquered the Babylonians (see the comments on 1 Esd 2.1-2). The first half of this verse may be rendered “In the first year that Cyrus of Persia was emperor of Babylonia” (similarly Good News Bible).

King Cyrus wrote that this house should be rebuilt may be translated “he gave written orders that this Temple should be rebuilt.” See 1 Esd 2.3-7 for the king’s decree to rebuild the Temple.

Some translators may wish to reorder this verse as follows:

• But King Cyrus gave written orders that this Temple should be rebuilt. He did this in the [very] first year that he ruled over Babylonia.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.