Ezra 7:17 - therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
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What does "Ezra 7:17" mean?
This verse from Ezra 7:17 is a specific instruction given to Ezra concerning how to use funds that were being sent from the Persian King Artaxerxes to support the temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:
"Therefore you shall with all diligence...": This emphasizes the importance and care that Ezra should take in executing these instructions.
"...buy with this money...": This indicates that a specific sum of money has been provided for a particular purpose. The money is intended to be used for purchasing sacrificial animals and offerings.
"...bulls, rams, lambs...": These are specific types of animals that were prescribed for sacrificial offerings according to the Law of Moses (the Torah). Each type of animal might have been used for different types of sacrifices (e.g., burnt offerings, sin offerings, peace offerings). The variety suggests a comprehensive offering.
"...with their meal offerings and their drink offerings...": In addition to the animals, the sacrifices included grain-based "meal offerings" (usually fine flour mixed with oil and incense) and "drink offerings" (usually wine). These accompanied the animal sacrifices.
"...and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.": This is the ultimate purpose: to offer these sacrifices according to the proper rituals at the altar of the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites.
In essence, the verse is a directive to Ezra to use the provided funds to purchase the necessary animals and other offerings to re-establish and maintain the sacrificial system at the temple in Jerusalem.
Historical Context and Significance:
Post-Exile: This verse is situated within the historical context of the Jews' return from exile in Babylon. The temple had been destroyed, and Ezra was instrumental in rebuilding it and re-establishing Jewish religious practices.
Persian Support: The fact that the Persian king was providing funds for these sacrifices highlights the relatively tolerant and supportive policy of the Persian Empire towards the religious practices of conquered peoples. Artaxerxes, for his own reasons (which could include political stability or a belief in the power of these offerings), was facilitating the restoration of Jewish worship.
Restoration of Worship: The verse underscores the central role of sacrifice in the Jewish faith at this time. It demonstrates the importance placed on adhering to the prescribed rituals and maintaining a proper relationship with God through these offerings.
In conclusion, Ezra 7:17 provides insight into the practicalities of restoring temple worship in Jerusalem after the exile, emphasizing the importance of diligence, adherence to the Law, and the provision of necessary resources for the proper performance of sacrifices.
Ezra 7:17 - therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
What does "Ezra 7:17" mean?
This verse from Ezra 7:17 is a specific instruction given to Ezra concerning how to use funds that were being sent from the Persian King Artaxerxes to support the temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:
"Therefore you shall with all diligence...": This emphasizes the importance and care that Ezra should take in executing these instructions.
"...buy with this money...": This indicates that a specific sum of money has been provided for a particular purpose. The money is intended to be used for purchasing sacrificial animals and offerings.
"...bulls, rams, lambs...": These are specific types of animals that were prescribed for sacrificial offerings according to the Law of Moses (the Torah). Each type of animal might have been used for different types of sacrifices (e.g., burnt offerings, sin offerings, peace offerings). The variety suggests a comprehensive offering.
"...with their meal offerings and their drink offerings...": In addition to the animals, the sacrifices included grain-based "meal offerings" (usually fine flour mixed with oil and incense) and "drink offerings" (usually wine). These accompanied the animal sacrifices.
"...and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.": This is the ultimate purpose: to offer these sacrifices according to the proper rituals at the altar of the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites.
In essence, the verse is a directive to Ezra to use the provided funds to purchase the necessary animals and other offerings to re-establish and maintain the sacrificial system at the temple in Jerusalem.
Historical Context and Significance:
Post-Exile: This verse is situated within the historical context of the Jews' return from exile in Babylon. The temple had been destroyed, and Ezra was instrumental in rebuilding it and re-establishing Jewish religious practices.
Persian Support: The fact that the Persian king was providing funds for these sacrifices highlights the relatively tolerant and supportive policy of the Persian Empire towards the religious practices of conquered peoples. Artaxerxes, for his own reasons (which could include political stability or a belief in the power of these offerings), was facilitating the restoration of Jewish worship.
Restoration of Worship: The verse underscores the central role of sacrifice in the Jewish faith at this time. It demonstrates the importance placed on adhering to the prescribed rituals and maintaining a proper relationship with God through these offerings.
In conclusion, Ezra 7:17 provides insight into the practicalities of restoring temple worship in Jerusalem after the exile, emphasizing the importance of diligence, adherence to the Law, and the provision of necessary resources for the proper performance of sacrifices.