Ezra 1 4

Ezra 1:4 kjv

And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.

Ezra 1:4 nkjv

And whoever is left in any place where he dwells, let the men of his place help him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, besides the freewill offerings for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.

Ezra 1:4 niv

And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.'?"

Ezra 1:4 esv

And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem."

Ezra 1:4 nlt

Wherever this Jewish remnant is found, let their neighbors contribute toward their expenses by giving them silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock, as well as a voluntary offering for the Temple of God in Jerusalem."

Ezra 1 verses

Ezra 1 4 Meaning

Ezra 1:4 commands that the Jewish people who choose not to return to Jerusalem but remain in the foreign lands are to provide material assistance—silver, gold, goods, and livestock—to their brethren who are returning to Judah. This aid is specifically for the personal support of the returnees, distinct from and in addition to any voluntary contributions intended directly for the rebuilding of the House of God in Jerusalem. This decree, issued by King Cyrus, highlights a unified effort to facilitate the restoration of the people and their worship center, ensuring the success of God's appointed task.

Ezra 1 4 Context

Ezra chapter 1 sets the stage for the post-exilic restoration of Judah and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This specific verse (Ezra 1:4) is part of King Cyrus's monumental decree, issued in the first year of his reign over Babylon (c. 538 BC), which follows Babylon's conquest by Persia. The decree permits and encourages the Jews exiled by Nebuchadnezzar to return to their homeland, Jerusalem, and rebuild the Temple. Historically, this decree marks the fulfillment of prophecies, particularly Jeremiah's prediction of a 70-year captivity (Jer 25:11-12; 29:10). Cyrus's decree is portrayed not merely as a political act but as divinely orchestrated, as God "stirred up the spirit of Cyrus" (Ezra 1:1). Verse 4 specifically addresses the provision for those returning, calling upon the Jewish diaspora who choose not to return at that time to contribute financial and material aid. This ensured that the returning exiles had the necessary resources for their arduous journey, resettlement, and to support the grand project of the Temple. This provision, made by an idolatrous king, underscored the pervasive influence and power of Yahweh, even over the greatest earthly empires, contrasting sharply with the notion of merely local deities.

Ezra 1 4 Word analysis

• And whosoever remaineth: (Hebrew: וכל־הנשאר, v'chol-hanish'ar) This refers to the Jews who choose not to immediately return to Jerusalem and remain in the diaspora (Babylon and other parts of the Persian Empire). This highlights that not all exiles would return; a significant Jewish population remained scattered, yet they were still considered part of God's people and were to play a role in the restoration.
• in any place where he sojourneth: (Hebrew: בכל־מקום אשר־הוא גר־שם, b'chol-maqom asher-hu gar-sham) The word "sojourneth" (גר, gar) implies a temporary residence, a stay as a resident alien rather than permanent citizen. This emphasizes the mindset of the exiles that even after decades, they still considered their true home to be Judah. It underscores the scattered nature of the Jewish population and the vast geographical scope of Cyrus's decree.
• let the men of his place help him: (Hebrew: ינשוהו אנשי מקמו, yanšīhū ’anšei m'qōmō) This is a directive for community responsibility. "Help" here (נשא, nasha') means to lift up, to bear, or to contribute, signifying substantial support. It's a command from Cyrus, influenced by God, requiring the Jewish communities where people remained to support their brethren returning. It signifies mutual support and solidarity within the Jewish nation, even across vast distances.
• with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts: These specify the forms of material wealth required for the journey and resettlement. Silver and gold were universal currencies, "goods" (רכוש, rekush) would include general possessions and supplies, and "beasts" (בהמה, behemah) for transportation and sustenance. This illustrates the practical and substantial nature of the required assistance for such a significant undertaking.
• beside the freewill offering: (Hebrew: מלבד נדבת, milbad nidbat) This phrase is crucial. "Beside" means "in addition to" or "apart from." The word "freewill offering" (נדבה, nedabah) specifically refers to a voluntary, spontaneous offering given out of a willing heart to God, often associated with Temple contributions (Ex 35:29). This clarifies that the aid for the returnees' personal needs was distinct from, and should not detract from, their contributions for the Temple itself.
• for the house of God that is in Jerusalem: This specifies the ultimate destination and purpose of the freewill offering. It centers the entire restoration effort around the worship of Yahweh and the rebuilding of His sanctuary. This highlights the centrality of the Temple to the identity and worship of Israel.

Ezra 1 4 Bonus section

• The detail of "silver, gold, goods, and beasts" reflects a practical understanding of what was required for a long journey and rebuilding, showcasing a divinely appointed forethought for logistics.
• This verse subtly portrays God's sovereign hand orchestrating geopolitical events (Persian dominance over Babylon) and even influencing pagan kings (Cyrus's decree) to fulfill His prophetic word (Jeremiah's 70 years of exile). This underscores Yahweh's unique power above all other perceived deities, whose scope might have been seen as limited to local territories.
• The instruction for the non-returnees to provide aid also served as a means for them to participate actively in the spiritual restoration, even if they were physically unable or unwilling to join the initial return. It emphasized a collective responsibility of all Israel for God's work.
• The term "freewill offering" (נדבה, nedabah) signifies a spontaneous, heartfelt gift, going beyond obligatory taxes or duties. This characteristic of giving is consistently praised in the Scriptures as the type of giving God delights in.

Ezra 1 4 Commentary

Ezra 1:4 provides a profound glimpse into God's meticulous care for His people's restoration after exile. Cyrus's decree, divinely inspired, extends its provision beyond mere permission to return; it ensures practical support. The verse draws a clear distinction between material aid for the returning individuals and the specific freewill offerings dedicated solely for the Temple. This shows both practical wisdom and theological insight: the personal needs of God's servants are important, but they should never overshadow or deplete resources for the worship of God itself. The "freewill offering" underscores that the most valuable contributions to God's house come from a willing and generous heart, not from coercion or calculation of leftover funds. This spirit of willing generosity echoes throughout biblical history regarding God's dwelling (Ex 35 for the Tabernacle; 1 Chron 29 for the first Temple) and finds New Testament resonance in the principles of cheerful giving for gospel work. It’s a testament to the enduring unity of God's people, even when physically dispersed, and their collective responsibility in restoring His kingdom's foundations. This principle of communal support for God's purposes remains relevant today: believers are called to support both those who serve God directly (like missionaries or pastors) and the work of God's kingdom (like church building or ministry outreaches), with a heart of willing generosity that distinguishes between personal help and specific giving to the Lord's house.