Ezra 2 69

Ezra 2:69 kjv

They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

Ezra 2:69 nkjv

According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for the work sixty-one thousand gold drachmas, five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priestly garments.

Ezra 2:69 niv

According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.

Ezra 2:69 esv

According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests' garments.

Ezra 2:69 nlt

and each leader gave as much as he could. The total of their gifts came to 61,000 gold coins, 6,250 pounds of silver, and 100 robes for the priests.

Ezra 2 verses

Ezra 2 69 Meaning

Ezra 2:69 records the significant financial and material contributions made by the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. These contributions, given according to each person's means, were designated specifically for the "treasury of the work," meaning for the monumental task of rebuilding the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. The verse details the substantial collective offerings of gold darics, silver minas, and precious priestly garments, signifying the community's profound dedication and sacrificial generosity towards re-establishing the worship of God.

Ezra 2 69 Context

Ezra chapter 2 primarily serves as a comprehensive register of the first wave of Jewish exiles who returned from Babylon to Judah under the decree of King Cyrus (ca. 538 BC). This detailed census enumerates not just the individuals by family and place of origin but also the total number of people, their servants, singing men and women, and even their livestock. This meticulously recorded list underscores the scale of the return and God's faithfulness in bringing His people back. Verse 69, specifically, follows the summary of those who returned, immediately setting the stage for the practical implications of their return: the imperative to rebuild the desolate Temple in Jerusalem. It transitions from the headcount to the vital financial resources gathered for this colossal divine task, showing the unified resolve and readiness of the community to invest in the restoration of sacred worship. Historically, this event takes place over half a century after the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians, at the very beginning of the post-exilic period, signaling the first tangible step towards a new era for God's people in their land.

Ezra 2 69 Word analysis

• "According to their ability" (כֹּחַ, koach):

  • Word Level: The Hebrew term koach implies strength, power, or means. It signifies that the contributions were proportional to what each person or group possessed, not an arbitrary flat sum. This reflects a principle of equity in giving.
  • Significance: This emphasizes voluntary, uncoerced giving from one's genuine capacity, contrasting with compulsory levies or superficial offerings. It highlights personal responsibility and commitment, demonstrating the depth of their devotion as they offered from what they had, even after enduring exile and likely poverty.

• "they gave":

  • Word Level: A simple verb, but denoting a collective, active choice. It's not stated that it was compelled.
  • Significance: Underscores the communal effort and unity in purpose. It was a national endeavor driven by the will of the people to honor God.

• "to the treasury" (אֹצַר, otzar):

  • Word Level: Otzar means "treasury," "storehouse," or "accumulated wealth."
  • Significance: Designates a specific, holy fund and place where offerings for God's work were collected. This ensured transparency and dedicated use of the funds. It recalls earlier treasuries associated with the Tabernacle and first Temple.

• "for the work" (הַמְּלָאכָה, hammelachah):

  • Word Level: Melachah means "work," "labor," or "occupation." Here, it specifically refers to the work of rebuilding the Temple.
  • Significance: Clarifies the purpose of the contributions—not for personal enrichment or general expenses, but for the sacred task of restoring the Lord's house. This specific allocation underscores the immediate priority of their faith.

• "61,000 darics of gold" (דַּרְכְּמוֹנִים, darkemōnim):

  • Word Level: A "daric" was a Persian gold coin, first minted around 515 BC. It was a standard gold currency of the Achaemenid Empire, weighing approximately 8.4 grams (about 0.29 ounces) of nearly pure gold.
  • Significance: This specifies an immense amount of wealth. In modern terms, 61,000 darics would represent over half a ton of gold, signifying the vastness of the collective donation and the people's sacrificial zeal immediately upon returning. The use of a Persian coin clearly situates the event within the Persian imperial context after the exile.

• "5,000 minas of silver" (מָנִים, manim):

  • Word Level: A "mina" (or maneh) was an ancient unit of weight, varying regionally but often roughly 50-60 shekels. As a currency, it represented a significant sum of money. The weight of silver would have been substantial, around 3,000 kilograms (6,600 pounds).
  • Significance: Reinforces the extraordinary generosity of the community, complementing the gold contribution. It indicates a massive capital investment for the rebuilding project, reflecting both their dedication and the material resources they were able to bring back.

• "100 priestly garments" (כֻּתְּנֹות כֹּהֲנִים, kutt'not kohanim):

  • Word Level: Kutt'not refers to tunics or robes, while kohanim means priests. These were essential items for the sacred service in the Temple, described in detail in Exodus.
  • Significance: Beyond monetary value, the donation of priestly garments demonstrates a practical commitment to the proper restoration of Temple worship. It shows an understanding of the detailed requirements for divine service and ensures the necessary religious personnel would be properly attired, signaling a full resumption of biblical rituals and Levitical law.

• "According to their ability they gave to the treasury for the work":

  • Phrase Analysis: This highlights a core theological principle: giving should be voluntary, proportional, and purpose-driven. It underscores stewardship, where resources entrusted by God are joyfully offered back for His kingdom work. This concept is foundational in biblical giving.

• "61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments":

  • Phrase Analysis: The combination of vast quantities of precious metals with specific religious items (garments) demonstrates a holistic and complete offering. It signifies that the community's commitment was not merely monetary but also included items critical for re-establishing the rituals and functions of the Temple, symbolizing their comprehensive devotion to the divine commands. The specific amounts indicate meticulously collected and significant national resources, vital for the massive undertaking ahead.

Ezra 2 69 Bonus section

The daric was primarily a gold coin of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. The fact that the returned exiles are described as contributing "darics" shows their economic integration, at least to some extent, within the Persian system and also confirms the dating of this account within the Persian period, long after the independent Israelite kingdom's fall. The monetary value represented by 61,000 darics of gold and 5,000 minas of silver would have been truly staggering for its time, likely enabling not only the basic construction but also the initial provision for the laborers, craftsmen, and materials like cedar from Lebanon, as mentioned in later verses (Ezra 3:7). This communal giving mirrors the contributions made for the Tabernacle in Exodus and the first Temple during Solomon's reign, underscoring a consistent biblical pattern of God's people voluntarily resourcing His work through their blessings. This generous initial outlay served as a foundation not only for physical construction but also as a powerful act of faith, trusting God to multiply their efforts for the enormous task ahead.

Ezra 2 69 Commentary

Ezra 2:69 is a profound statement about the deep devotion and unity of the returning Jewish exiles. Immediately following the extensive list of those who made the arduous journey back to Jerusalem, this verse reveals their primary collective motivation: to re-establish the worship of Yahweh through the rebuilding of His Temple. The act of giving "according to their ability" emphasizes the principle of proportional giving, where everyone contributed what they could, fostering a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for the divine mission. The specified quantities—tens of thousands of darics of gold and thousands of minas of silver—represent an enormous collective wealth, far beyond mere token gestures. This indicates a genuine sacrificial spirit and the accumulation of significant resources, perhaps even a remnant of wealth retained from their exile. The inclusion of 100 priestly garments signifies not just monetary provision but a practical concern for the details of sacred service, ensuring that the necessary ceremonial articles for the re-commencement of proper worship were in place. This verse therefore paints a vivid picture of a people wholly committed to God's purpose, pooling their collective resources, driven by faith and gratitude, to physically rebuild the house of the Lord and restore their spiritual identity. This was an act of profound corporate worship and practical faith, laying the vital material foundation for the spiritual restoration of Israel.