Ezra 7:15 - 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,
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What does "Ezra 7:15" mean?
This verse, Ezra 7:15, is part of a decree issued by King Artaxerxes of Persia, allowing Ezra to lead a group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:
"and to carry the silver and gold...": This refers to a donation of precious metals, specifically silver and gold. This was a valuable contribution, indicating the king's favor and support for the restoration of the Jewish temple and community.
"...which the king and his counselors have freely offered...": This highlights that the donation wasn't coerced or demanded. It was a voluntary offering from King Artaxerxes and his advisors. This suggests they were favorably disposed towards the God of Israel and the Jewish people, and perhaps saw benefits (political, economic, or spiritual) in supporting them.
"...to the God of Israel...": This is explicitly stating the intended recipient of the offering: the God worshipped by the Israelites. This is significant because Artaxerxes, a Persian king, is acknowledging and honoring a foreign deity.
"...whose habitation is in Jerusalem": This is an important detail. It's acknowledging that Jerusalem is the central place of worship for the God of Israel. The Persians recognized that the Temple in Jerusalem was where the God of Israel was to be worshipped, emphasizing the importance of restoring Jerusalem for the Jewish people. It connects the offering directly to the rebuilding and maintenance of the Temple.
In essence, the verse means:
King Artaxerxes and his advisors are voluntarily donating silver and gold to the God of Israel, who is worshipped in Jerusalem, likely for the purpose of rebuilding the Temple and supporting the Jewish community there.
Significance:
Royal Endorsement: This verse highlights the Persian king's favorable attitude towards the Jewish people and their God.
Financial Support: The donation would provide much-needed resources for rebuilding the Temple and restoring Jerusalem.
Religious Tolerance: The king's willingness to honor a foreign deity demonstrates a degree of religious tolerance and pragmatism on the part of the Persian Empire.
Centrality of Jerusalem: The verse underscores the importance of Jerusalem as the religious center for the Jewish people. It was crucial for the exiles to return and reestablish worship in their ancestral homeland.
Ezra 7:15 - 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,
What does "Ezra 7:15" mean?
This verse, Ezra 7:15, is part of a decree issued by King Artaxerxes of Persia, allowing Ezra to lead a group of Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:
"and to carry the silver and gold...": This refers to a donation of precious metals, specifically silver and gold. This was a valuable contribution, indicating the king's favor and support for the restoration of the Jewish temple and community.
"...which the king and his counselors have freely offered...": This highlights that the donation wasn't coerced or demanded. It was a voluntary offering from King Artaxerxes and his advisors. This suggests they were favorably disposed towards the God of Israel and the Jewish people, and perhaps saw benefits (political, economic, or spiritual) in supporting them.
"...to the God of Israel...": This is explicitly stating the intended recipient of the offering: the God worshipped by the Israelites. This is significant because Artaxerxes, a Persian king, is acknowledging and honoring a foreign deity.
"...whose habitation is in Jerusalem": This is an important detail. It's acknowledging that Jerusalem is the central place of worship for the God of Israel. The Persians recognized that the Temple in Jerusalem was where the God of Israel was to be worshipped, emphasizing the importance of restoring Jerusalem for the Jewish people. It connects the offering directly to the rebuilding and maintenance of the Temple.
In essence, the verse means:
King Artaxerxes and his advisors are voluntarily donating silver and gold to the God of Israel, who is worshipped in Jerusalem, likely for the purpose of rebuilding the Temple and supporting the Jewish community there.
Significance:
Royal Endorsement: This verse highlights the Persian king's favorable attitude towards the Jewish people and their God.
Financial Support: The donation would provide much-needed resources for rebuilding the Temple and restoring Jerusalem.
Religious Tolerance: The king's willingness to honor a foreign deity demonstrates a degree of religious tolerance and pragmatism on the part of the Persian Empire.
Centrality of Jerusalem: The verse underscores the importance of Jerusalem as the religious center for the Jewish people. It was crucial for the exiles to return and reestablish worship in their ancestral homeland.