1 esdras 8:18 - and whatever thing else you shall remember for the use of the temple of your God, you shall give it out of the king’s treasury.

Generated Verse: 1 esdras 8:18

What does "1 esdras 8:18" mean?


This verse, from 1 Esdras 8:18 (which corresponds to Ezra 7:20 in the Hebrew Bible), is part of a decree issued by King Artaxerxes of Persia to Ezra, a Jewish priest and scribe, granting him permission and resources to return to Jerusalem and restore Jewish law and worship.

The verse essentially means that if Ezra needs anything else for the proper functioning and upkeep of the Temple in Jerusalem, beyond what has already been specified, he is authorized to draw those resources from the royal treasury.

Here's a breakdown:

"and whatever thing else you shall remember...": This refers to anything Ezra might subsequently realize is necessary for the Temple's operation that wasn't initially included in the list of supplies and permissions already granted.
"...for the use of the temple of your God...": This specifies that the additional items must be directly related to the needs of the Temple in Jerusalem and its religious practices. This is key - it's not a blank check for personal use, but rather for the sacred space.
"...you shall give it out of the king's treasury.": This is the authorization for Ezra to acquire these additional resources using the financial resources of the Persian Empire. Essentially, the king is saying, "If the Temple needs it, you have access to my money."

In summary, this verse demonstrates King Artaxerxes' strong support for the rebuilding and maintenance of the Temple in Jerusalem. He is empowering Ezra to ensure that the Temple is properly supplied and equipped by allowing him access to the royal treasury for any unforeseen needs. This underscores the king's policy of religious tolerance and his willingness to support the religious practices of his subject peoples. It also illustrates the significant resources that the Persian empire commanded.