Ezra 1 10

Ezra 1:10 kjv

Thirty basins of gold, silver basins of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand.

Ezra 1:10 nkjv

thirty gold basins, four hundred and ten silver basins of a similar kind, and one thousand other articles.

Ezra 1:10 niv

gold bowls ? 30 matching silver bowls ? 410 other articles ? 1,000

Ezra 1:10 esv

30 bowls of gold, 410 bowls of silver, and 1,000 other vessels;

Ezra 1:10 nlt

gold bowls ? 30
silver bowls ? 410
other items ? 1,000

Ezra 1 verses

Ezra 1 10 Meaning

Ezra chapter 1, verse 10 meticulously itemizes a portion of the sacred vessels that King Cyrus of Persia directed to be returned to Jerusalem. Specifically, it lists thirty gold bowls, four hundred and ten silver bowls, and an additional one thousand various silver articles. These valuable items, originally plundered by Nebuchadnezzar during the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple, were to be delivered into the care of Sheshbazzar for the rebuilding of God’s house in Jerusalem, symbolizing the restoration of proper worship and the fulfillment of divine prophecy regarding the end of the Babylonian exile.

Ezra 1 10 Context

Ezra 1 provides the crucial opening scene of the book, marking the dramatic turn of events that initiated the return of the exiled Israelites to Judah. After seventy years of Babylonian captivity, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah (Jer 29:10), the divine hand orchestrated King Cyrus of Persia’s decree (538 BC) allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of the Lord. Verse 10 is part of the meticulous inventory of sacred temple articles, initially plundered by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs 25), that Cyrus chose to return. This act, far from a mere administrative decision, highlighted Cyrus's recognition of the God of Heaven (Ezra 1:2) and underscored God's sovereign control over global empires to achieve His redemptive purposes for His covenant people. The detailed accounting emphasizes the importance of these objects, not just as artifacts, but as holy implements necessary for restoring the divinely commanded worship in the newly rebuilt temple.

Ezra 1 10 Word analysis

• thirty bowls of gold: (Aramaic: תְּלָתִין קְפֹרֵי דָּהַב, tlatîn qephōrê dāhab)

  • thirty (tlatîn): Indicates a specific and precise count. This numeric exactitude highlights the meticulous care in cataloging the holy vessels and perhaps reflects the precision often associated with temple operations.
  • bowls (qephōrê): Refers to large basins or bowls, typically associated with sacrificial offerings, collecting blood, or libations within temple rituals. Their material (gold) signifies their supreme value, holiness, and direct association with God’s presence, reminiscent of the highly esteemed materials used in the Tabernacle (Exod 25-27) and Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 6). Their restoration marked a symbolic return to the pure, rich worship standards of the original temple.
  • of gold (dāhab): Denotes the most precious metal, signifying purity, enduring value, and worthiness for divine use. Gold vessels were considered indispensable for major religious ceremonies and rites, underscoring the sacred nature of the items and the dignity of God's worship.

• four hundred and ten bowls of silver: (Aramaic: אַרְבַּע מְאָה וַעֲשַׂר קְפֹרֵי כְסַף, arbaʿ mēʾâ waʿasar qephōrê kəsaḡ)

  • four hundred and ten: Another precise number, denoting a large quantity. This substantial number suggests these items were common and extensively used in the temple, perhaps for various supporting roles or for daily ministrations.
  • bowls of silver (qephōrê kəsaḡ): Similar in form or function to the gold bowls but made of silver (kəsaḡ), which, though less precious than gold, was still highly valued and appropriate for holy purposes (cf. Num 7:13). Their significant number ensures sufficiency for the reconstructed temple's needs, representing the practical elements necessary for daily liturgical practices.

• and other articles of silver, one thousand: (Aramaic: וְאַחֲרָנִין כַּסְפָא אֲלֶף, wəʾaharānîn kaspaʾ ʾălēph)

  • other articles of silver: This broader category indicates that beyond specific bowls or basins, many other diverse items, implements, or tools made of silver were also part of the sacred inventory. This phrase accounts for various remaining liturgical items without needing a specific label for each.
  • one thousand (ʾălēph): A substantial figure, suggesting that a significant portion of the temple’s everyday (though still holy) functional items were silver-based. This multitude of restored silver items points to the completeness of the inventory retrieved from Babylon and highlights the provision made for a fully functional temple, capable of resuming its sacred duties comprehensively.
  • Word-group Analysis: "bowls of gold" / "bowls of silver": The repeated mention of "bowls" (קְפֹרֵי / qephōrê) of both gold and silver, each with specific quantities, underlines the meticulous effort in accounting for the diverse array of sacred temple furnishings. It speaks to the perceived value and utility of each material and type of vessel in temple service, reflecting a well-structured and endowed religious complex. These items represent the material embodiment of divine service that was previously disrupted but now providentially restored.

Ezra 1 10 Bonus section

While Ezra 1:9 and 1:10 list specific quantities and types of vessels (basins, cups, bowls, other articles), their individual sums do not directly add up to the total of 5,400 gold and silver articles stated in Ezra 1:11. This numerical discrepancy has been widely noted by scholars and commentators. It often suggests that the detailed lists in verses 9-10 are illustrative or selective rather than a comprehensive item-by-item tally, with verse 11 providing the authoritative overall count. This emphasizes that the grand total was understood as accurate, even if the preceding verses were more for categorical listing than exact mathematical summation of all sub-categories. The return of such vast numbers of various types of items (despite slight enumeration inconsistencies) points to the wealth and importance of the first Temple's sacred furnishings and highlights the magnanimity of Cyrus's decree under divine guidance.

Ezra 1 10 Commentary

Ezra 1:10 continues the detailed roster of temple articles brought out of Babylon, revealing the physical embodiment of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. These precise quantities—thirty gold bowls, four hundred ten silver bowls, and one thousand other silver articles—are more than just a list; they are tangible proofs of God’s sovereignty over world empires. King Cyrus, influenced by divine providence (Prov 21:1, Isa 45:1), did not merely permit the Jews to return but actively returned the very instruments of worship that Nebuchadnezzar had seized as trophies. This meticulous repatriation counters the Babylonian claim of supremacy over Yahweh (Dan 5:1-4) by re-sanctifying items once desecrated, asserting God's ultimate victory and control. The emphasis on precious materials (gold and silver) underscores the inherent holiness and high value of temple worship, which God intended to be restored to its original purity and dignity. This act provided a necessary foundation for the rebuilding of the physical temple, marking a pivotal moment of spiritual and national restoration for the remnant of Israel.