Ezra 2 68

Ezra 2:68 kjv

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:

Ezra 2:68 nkjv

Some of the heads of the fathers' houses, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God, to erect it in its place:

Ezra 2:68 niv

When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.

Ezra 2:68 esv

Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site.

Ezra 2:68 nlt

When they arrived at the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders made voluntary offerings toward the rebuilding of God's Temple on its original site,

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 68 Meaning

This verse details how certain leaders of the returning exiles, upon arriving in Jerusalem at the desolate site of the Temple, freely offered gifts to fund the reconstruction of the house of God precisely on its original foundation. It demonstrates their immediate devotion and commitment to restoring divine worship in the prescribed place.

Ezra 2 68 Context

Ezra 2 records the meticulously kept register of the individuals and families who returned to Judah from Babylonian exile after Cyrus's decree in 538 BC. This first wave of returnees, numbering over 42,000, along with their servants, sought to re-establish life in the land and particularly in Jerusalem. Their primary and immediate motivation, alongside rebuilding their own lives, was the restoration of the Temple, which had lain in ruins since its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar (c. 586 BC). Following the lengthy genealogical and demographic lists in the chapter, verse 68 describes a key action demonstrating the piety and focus of the returned community's leadership. This event likely happened very early in their return, even before the formal laying of the Temple's foundation described in Ezra chapter 3. It highlights the spontaneous, heartfelt commitment of those who held positions of authority within the family structures, emphasizing the community's readiness to support the divinely mandated task of rebuilding God's dwelling place.

Ezra 2 68 Word analysis

• And some of the heads of fathers' houses: (רָאשֵׁי הָאָבוֹת, rashei ha'avot) - Signifies the patriarchal leaders or chiefs of the tribal clans and families who formed the organizational backbone of Israelite society. Their participation underscored a communal and authorized commitment to the work. This was not a general collection from the entire population initially, but a leading example set by the appointed and respected figures, much like the initiative taken by princes or leaders in Exod 35 or 1 Chr 29 for earlier temple constructions.
• when they came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem: (בֵּית יְהוָה, beit YHWH) - Refers to the physical site of the First Temple, now destroyed, but still sacred. Their arrival at Jerusalem was purposefully aimed at this location, indicating their immediate focus and priority on restoring worship and God's dwelling place, rather than solely on their own dwellings. It shows they sought out the desolate hallowed ground.
• offered willingly: (הִתְנַדְּבוּ, hitnadvu) - This Hebrew verb highlights voluntary giving, rooted in the idea of "freewill offerings" (נדבה, nedavah) common in Mosaic law. It signifies offerings given out of personal desire and generosity, not under compulsion or as a tax. This cheerful, spontaneous donation reflects sincere devotion and enthusiasm for God's work, mirroring the willingness seen in the construction of the Tabernacle (Exod 35). It sets a tone of spiritual revival.
• for the house of God: (בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים, beit ha'Elohim) - A synonym for "house of the Lord," reinforcing that the donations were specifically designated for the sacred edifice of the Temple, God's dwelling place among His people. It emphasizes the ultimate purpose of the collected resources.
• to set it up: (לְהַעֲמִיד, leha'amid) - Meaning to establish, to cause to stand, to erect, or to restore. This denotes the action of rebuilding the physical structure from its ruins. It carries a sense of firm establishment and permanence for the restored Temple.
• in its place: (עַל מְכוֹנוֹ, al mekonow) - Literally "on its foundation" or "on its site." This crucial detail emphasizes that the rebuilding was to occur precisely where the First Temple had stood. It underscored the continuity of the divine presence and the sanctity of that particular ground, affirming the restoration of a sacred legacy rather than establishing something entirely new. It also hints at adherence to traditional patterns for God's worship space.

• "Heads of fathers' houses... offered willingly... for the house of God": This grouping highlights the proactive and voluntary leadership displayed by the community's elders. Their initiative in financially supporting the Temple rebuild served as a powerful example and set the spiritual trajectory for the returning exiles. It demonstrates that sacred projects begin with sacrificial generosity, particularly from those entrusted with influence.
• "came to the house of the Lord that is in Jerusalem... to set it up in its place": This phrase underlines the immediate pilgrimage to the devastated but hallowed ground and the focused intent of restoration. It signifies an act of faith—visiting ruins with a vision to reconstruct the glorious past. The continuity of location was essential, affirming God's continued presence with His people at the historically designated holy site.

Ezra 2 68 Bonus section

The immediate and voluntary offerings by the "heads of fathers' houses" symbolize more than mere financial contribution; they represent a deep spiritual re-commitment to God's covenant and His central place in their re-established society. This was an act of faith before the cornerstone was even laid, preceding the practical commencement of construction (Ezra 3). It shows the prioritizing of divine worship and a direct answer to prophecies regarding their return. The parallel with David and the people offering freely for the First Temple (1 Chr 29) creates a powerful sense of historical and theological continuity, asserting that God's people respond to His call for building His house with heartfelt generosity across generations. This foundational act of giving served as an earnest of their dedication despite the many challenges that lay ahead (Ezra 4).

Ezra 2 68 Commentary

Ezra 2:68 serves as a poignant epilogue to the meticulous roster of the returning exiles, transitioning from logistics to spiritual purpose. It vividly portrays the immediate and collective spiritual impulse of the leaders upon reaching Jerusalem. Despite seeing the desolation of the Temple site, their faith propelled them to offer generously and voluntarily. This act of "offering willingly" harks back to earlier, similar demonstrations of devotion for the Tabernacle (Exod 35) and the First Temple (1 Chr 29), illustrating a recurring biblical principle that God's work is often funded by the spontaneous, joyful giving of His people. The emphasis on rebuilding "in its place" not only ensures architectural continuity but also carries profound theological significance, signifying that God’s covenantal presence remained tied to that holy site, a foundational assurance for the returned remnant. Their actions set a foundational precedent of sacrifice and commitment that would be crucial for the daunting task of reconstruction ahead, exemplifying spiritual leadership that initiates God-honoring work with generosity.