Ezra 7:16 - and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem;
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What does "Ezra 7:16" mean?
Ezra 7:16 is part of a decree issued by King Artaxerxes of Persia, authorizing Ezra to return to Jerusalem and implement Jewish law there. Let's break down what the verse means:
"and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon...": This refers to the silver and gold that Ezra would receive within the Babylonian province. This likely came from two main sources:
Royal Treasury/Government Funds: Artaxerxes, as a benevolent king, was allocating funds from the region's treasury to support the restoration of the Temple and the community in Jerusalem.
Donations from Babylonian Jews: Many Jews had remained in Babylon after the initial return under Zerubbabel. Those who were wealthy and felt a connection to Jerusalem likely contributed financially to the rebuilding effort.
"...with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests...": This refers to voluntary contributions given specifically for the house of God (the Temple) in Jerusalem. These freewill offerings came from two groups:
The People: The ordinary Jewish people who lived in Babylon freely donated money and valuables. This emphasizes their commitment to their faith and the restoration of the Temple.
The Priests: Even among the priests who were living in exile in Babylon, there was a desire to support the Temple. Their contributions were particularly significant, as they represented the religious leadership and their dedication to rebuilding the spiritual center of Judaism.
"...offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem;": This clarifies the purpose of the freewill offerings. The silver and gold were specifically intended for the reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of the Temple in Jerusalem. The word "willingly" underscores that these were voluntary gifts, motivated by faith and a desire to honor God.
In essence, Ezra 7:16 describes the provision of significant financial resources for the rebuilding and support of the Temple in Jerusalem. This money came from both the royal treasury and the voluntary donations of the Jewish people (including the priests) in Babylon, demonstrating their commitment to their faith and the restoration of their religious center. The emphasis on "freewill offering" highlights the voluntary and heartfelt nature of the contributions.
Ezra 7:16 - and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem;
What does "Ezra 7:16" mean?
Ezra 7:16 is part of a decree issued by King Artaxerxes of Persia, authorizing Ezra to return to Jerusalem and implement Jewish law there. Let's break down what the verse means:
"and all the silver and gold that you will find in all the province of Babylon...": This refers to the silver and gold that Ezra would receive within the Babylonian province. This likely came from two main sources:
Royal Treasury/Government Funds: Artaxerxes, as a benevolent king, was allocating funds from the region's treasury to support the restoration of the Temple and the community in Jerusalem.
Donations from Babylonian Jews: Many Jews had remained in Babylon after the initial return under Zerubbabel. Those who were wealthy and felt a connection to Jerusalem likely contributed financially to the rebuilding effort.
"...with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests...": This refers to voluntary contributions given specifically for the house of God (the Temple) in Jerusalem. These freewill offerings came from two groups:
The People: The ordinary Jewish people who lived in Babylon freely donated money and valuables. This emphasizes their commitment to their faith and the restoration of the Temple.
The Priests: Even among the priests who were living in exile in Babylon, there was a desire to support the Temple. Their contributions were particularly significant, as they represented the religious leadership and their dedication to rebuilding the spiritual center of Judaism.
"...offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem;": This clarifies the purpose of the freewill offerings. The silver and gold were specifically intended for the reconstruction, maintenance, and operation of the Temple in Jerusalem. The word "willingly" underscores that these were voluntary gifts, motivated by faith and a desire to honor God.
In essence, Ezra 7:16 describes the provision of significant financial resources for the rebuilding and support of the Temple in Jerusalem. This money came from both the royal treasury and the voluntary donations of the Jewish people (including the priests) in Babylon, demonstrating their commitment to their faith and the restoration of their religious center. The emphasis on "freewill offering" highlights the voluntary and heartfelt nature of the contributions.