Ezra 1:4 - Whoever is left, in any place where he lives, let the men of his place help him with silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals, besides the freewill offering for God’s house which is in Jerusalem.’”
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What does "Ezra 1:4" mean?
This verse from Ezra 1:4 is part of the decree of Cyrus, the Persian king, allowing the Jewish people who had been exiled to Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. It lays out instructions for how those Jews who don't return to Jerusalem are to assist those who do. Let's break it down:
"Whoever is left, in any place where he lives...": This refers to the Jewish people who remained in Babylon and other parts of the Persian Empire and did not choose to return to Jerusalem. They were still part of the Jewish community, even though they weren't going back to their ancestral homeland.
"...let the men of his place help him...": This means that the local inhabitants (likely both Jewish and non-Jewish people in those communities) are obligated to assist those returning to Jerusalem. It's a communal responsibility to support the repatriation and rebuilding efforts.
"...with silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals...": This specifies the kinds of assistance that should be provided: financial resources (silver and gold), material possessions (goods), and livestock (animals). These would be crucial for the returning exiles to re-establish themselves in Jerusalem and to begin rebuilding the Temple.
"...besides the freewill offering for God’s house which is in Jerusalem.": This is in addition to the other material support mentioned. People are also encouraged to make voluntary (freewill) offerings specifically for the rebuilding of the Temple. This emphasizes the spiritual importance of the rebuilding project.
In essence, the verse outlines a system of communal support for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. It mandates that the Jewish communities in exile should provide financial, material, and spiritual assistance to those who are returning to their homeland to rebuild the Temple. This signifies the Persian king's endorsement of the Jewish people's religious practices and the rebuilding of their central place of worship.
Key takeaways:
Support for the Returning Exiles: It emphasizes that the returning exiles will need significant help to rebuild.
Communal Responsibility: The responsibility for supporting the rebuilding efforts falls on the entire Jewish community, including those who remain in exile.
Material and Spiritual Support: The support is to be both practical (money, goods, animals) and spiritual (freewill offerings for the Temple).
Royal Sanction: It's part of a royal decree, giving it legal and official weight.
This verse highlights the importance of community support in overcoming adversity and rebuilding a nation. It demonstrates a commitment to religious freedom and restoration under the rule of King Cyrus.
Ezra 1:4 - Whoever is left, in any place where he lives, let the men of his place help him with silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals, besides the freewill offering for God’s house which is in Jerusalem.’”
What does "Ezra 1:4" mean?
This verse from Ezra 1:4 is part of the decree of Cyrus, the Persian king, allowing the Jewish people who had been exiled to Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. It lays out instructions for how those Jews who don't return to Jerusalem are to assist those who do. Let's break it down:
"Whoever is left, in any place where he lives...": This refers to the Jewish people who remained in Babylon and other parts of the Persian Empire and did not choose to return to Jerusalem. They were still part of the Jewish community, even though they weren't going back to their ancestral homeland.
"...let the men of his place help him...": This means that the local inhabitants (likely both Jewish and non-Jewish people in those communities) are obligated to assist those returning to Jerusalem. It's a communal responsibility to support the repatriation and rebuilding efforts.
"...with silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals...": This specifies the kinds of assistance that should be provided: financial resources (silver and gold), material possessions (goods), and livestock (animals). These would be crucial for the returning exiles to re-establish themselves in Jerusalem and to begin rebuilding the Temple.
"...besides the freewill offering for God’s house which is in Jerusalem.": This is in addition to the other material support mentioned. People are also encouraged to make voluntary (freewill) offerings specifically for the rebuilding of the Temple. This emphasizes the spiritual importance of the rebuilding project.
In essence, the verse outlines a system of communal support for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. It mandates that the Jewish communities in exile should provide financial, material, and spiritual assistance to those who are returning to their homeland to rebuild the Temple. This signifies the Persian king's endorsement of the Jewish people's religious practices and the rebuilding of their central place of worship.
Key takeaways:
Support for the Returning Exiles: It emphasizes that the returning exiles will need significant help to rebuild.
Communal Responsibility: The responsibility for supporting the rebuilding efforts falls on the entire Jewish community, including those who remain in exile.
Material and Spiritual Support: The support is to be both practical (money, goods, animals) and spiritual (freewill offerings for the Temple).
Royal Sanction: It's part of a royal decree, giving it legal and official weight.
This verse highlights the importance of community support in overcoming adversity and rebuilding a nation. It demonstrates a commitment to religious freedom and restoration under the rule of King Cyrus.