Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,
Parallel translations
- WEB and to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
- KJV And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
- NKJV and whereas you are to carry the silver and gold which the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem;
- NASB and to bring the silver and gold, which the king and his advisers have voluntarily given to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,
- NLT We also commission you to take with you silver and gold, which we are freely presenting as an offering to the God of Israel who lives in Jerusalem.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Ezra is to carry silver and gold the king and counselors have freely given to the God of Israel in Jerusalem. The empire's wealth is devoted to true worship.
Overview
The king and his advisors make a freewill offering to 'the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,' entrusting it to Ezra. Pagan rulers thus contribute generously to the worship of the one true God. This astonishing provision again displays God's sovereign power to incline rulers' hearts and supply His house, recalling how the nations' wealth will one day honor the Lord.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- 2 Chr 6:2and I have built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.”
- Ps 135:21Blessed be the LORD from Zion—He who dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
- Ezra 6:12May God, who has caused His Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to alter this decree or to destroy this house of God in Jerusalem. I, Darius, have issued the decree. Let it be carried out with diligence.
- 1 Chr 29:6Then the leaders of the households, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly.
- 2 Chr 2:6But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him?
- 2 Chr 6:6But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’
- Ezra 6:8–10I hereby decree what you must do for these elders of the Jews who are rebuilding this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces west of the Euphrates, so that the work will not be hindered.
- Isa 60:6–9Caravans of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah, and all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.
- Ezra 6:4with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury.
- Ps 72:10May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
- Ps 68:29–30Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring You gifts.
- Ps 76:2His tent is in Salem, His dwelling place in Zion.
- Ps 76:11Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared.
- Ps 9:11Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion; proclaim His deeds among the nations.
- Ps 26:8O LORD, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides.
- Rev 21:24–26By its light the nations will walk, and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.
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Christ at the center
The return from exile and the rebuilt altar keep alive the hope of a greater restoration — the true return from our deeper exile of sin accomplished by Christ.
How Ezra 7:15 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.