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,
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,
- BSB 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,
- 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 6:2But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.
- Ps 135:21Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.
- Ezra 6:12And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.
- 1 Chr 29:6Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly,
- 2 Chr 2:6But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
- 2 Chr 6:6But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.
- Ezra 6:8–10Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king’s goods, even of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
- Isa 60:6–9The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
- Ezra 6:4With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king’s house:
- Ps 72:10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
- Ps 68:29–30Because of thy temple at Jerusalem shall kings bring presents unto thee.
- Ps 76:2In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.
- Ps 76:11Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.
- Ps 9:11Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.
- Ps 26:8LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
- Rev 21:24–26And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
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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.