Ezra 2:68 - Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place.

Generated Verse: Ezra 2:68

What does "Ezra 2:68" mean?


Ezra 2:68 states: "Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place."

Here's a breakdown of the verse's meaning:

Context: This verse is part of a larger section in Ezra (chapter 2) that describes the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem after the Edict of Cyrus. This section is primarily a census list, detailing the number of people and their families who returned. However, interspersed with the lists are notes about the resources and acts of generosity contributed towards rebuilding the temple.

"Some of the heads of fathers’ households": This refers to the leaders or representatives of the prominent families who had returned to Jerusalem. They were influential figures in their respective family lines.

"when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem": This emphasizes that the individuals involved had successfully made the long and arduous journey back to Jerusalem, their ancestral homeland, and to the site where the temple once stood. "Yahweh's house" is a reference to the (as yet unbuilt) Temple in Jerusalem.

"offered willingly for God’s house": This highlights that these leaders contributed generously and voluntarily to the rebuilding of the temple. It wasn't a forced or obligatory donation, but a genuine expression of their devotion and desire to restore the worship of God in its proper place.

"to set it up in its place": This underscores the purpose of their offering: to contribute to the reconstruction and re-establishment of the temple on its original site. They wanted to rebuild the temple to its former glory, restoring it as the center of religious life for the Jewish people.

In summary, the verse indicates that upon arriving in Jerusalem, some of the leaders of prominent families willingly donated resources towards the rebuilding of the temple on its original foundation. This action demonstrates their commitment to restoring the worship of Yahweh and re-establishing their community in Jerusalem. The voluntary nature of the offering shows their enthusiasm and dedication to this important project.

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