Ezra 5 14

Ezra 5:14 kjv

And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;

Ezra 5:14 nkjv

Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple that was in Jerusalem and carried into the temple of Babylon?those King Cyrus took from the temple of Babylon, and they were given to one named Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor.

Ezra 5:14 niv

He even removed from the temple of Babylon the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to the temple in Babylon. Then King Cyrus gave them to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom he had appointed governor,

Ezra 5:14 esv

And the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and brought into the temple of Babylon, these Cyrus the king took out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered to one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;

Ezra 5:14 nlt

King Cyrus returned the gold and silver cups that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the Temple of God in Jerusalem and had placed in the temple of Babylon. These cups were taken from that temple and presented to a man named Sheshbazzar, whom King Cyrus appointed as governor of Judah.

Ezra 5 verses

Ezra 5 14 Meaning

Ezra 5:14 records a pivotal detail in the narrative of the temple's rebuilding: the restoration of the sacred gold and silver articles taken from the Jerusalem temple by Nebuchadnezzar. It explicitly states that King Cyrus recovered these items from the Babylonian temple where they had been housed and entrusted them to Sheshbazzar, identifying him as Zerubbabel. This act underscored divine sovereignty over worldly empires, validated the returned exiles' mission, and legitimized the authority of their divinely appointed leader.

Ezra 5 14 Context

Ezra 5:14 is part of a letter written by Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, to King Darius. Tattenai had observed the Jews actively rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem and questioned their authority to do so. In response to his inquiry (verses 3-4), the elders of the Jews presented their case, recounting the history of the temple's destruction, the exile, and most importantly, the decree of King Cyrus. Verse 14 specifically refers back to Cyrus's act of restoring the temple vessels, thereby confirming the legitimate, divine authority behind the rebuilding effort. This detail serves as a critical piece of evidence presented by the Jewish leaders to the Persian authorities, justifying their work based on the foundational decree issued decades earlier by Cyrus. The chapter therefore acts as a vindication of the Jewish exiles' claim, illustrating God's meticulous hand in fulfilling His promises through successive gentile rulers.

Ezra 5 14 Word analysis

• Also: (Aramaic: ʾap, אַף) - A connective, introducing an additional significant detail that supports the elders' claims to Tattenai, emphasizing the thoroughness of Cyrus’s initial decree and provision for the temple.
• the gold and silver articles: (Aramaic: mā'nā' dî ḏəhab ūḵəsap, מָאנָא דִּי דְהַב וּכְסַף) - These were not mere household items but specifically designated "vessels" or "utensils" for temple service (Ezra 1:9-11 provides a detailed list). Their metallic value (gold and silver) underscores their earthly preciousness, but their purpose within "the house of God" imparts spiritual holiness and significance. They represent the sacred patrimony of Israel, tied directly to their worship.
• of the house of God: (Aramaic: bêṯ 'ělāhā', בֵּית אֱלָהָא) - Refers specifically to the Jerusalem Temple, Yahweh’s dwelling place among His people. These items were consecrated to Him. This phrase emphasizes the divine ownership of the articles, implying their inherent sanctity.
• which Nebuchadnezzar had taken: (Aramaic: dî Nəbuḵaḏneṣṣar nāsiq, דִּי נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר נָסִיק) - Highlights the act of sacrilege and plunder by the Babylonian king, representing Babylon's attempted dominion over God’s people and even over Yahweh Himself by appropriating His holy items. It marks a moment of national humiliation and spiritual affront.
• from the temple in Jerusalem: (Aramaic: min hêḵəlā' dî bîrūšlam, מִן הֵיכְלָא דִּי בִּירוּשְׁלַם) - Identifies the specific sacred origin, the primary sanctuary of God in Israel.
• and carried to the temple in Babylon: (Aramaic: waʿêlaq ləhêḵəlā' dî Bābēl, וְעֵלָא לְהֵיכְלָא דִּי בָבֶל) - These vessels were not simply stored but placed within the temples of Babylonian deities, likely as spoils of war dedicated to their gods, symbolizing the perceived victory of Marduk or Bel over Yahweh (Dan 1:2). This was a deliberate act of defilement.
• King Cyrus took: (Aramaic: Kōreš malḵā' nəsaq, כּוֹרֶשׁ מַלְכָּא נְסַק) - Demonstrates God’s powerful reversal of human designs. Cyrus, a pagan monarch, is seen as an instrument of God's will (Isa 44:28). His action directly counteracted Nebuchadnezzar's sacrilege.
• from the temple in Babylon: (Aramaic: min hêḵəlā' dî Bābēl, מִן הֵיכְלָא דִּי בָבֶל) - Emphasizes the complete retrieval from the very place where they had been profaned, signifying a profound vindication of Yahweh.
• and gave them to Sheshbazzar, whose name was Zerubbabel: (Aramaic: wîḥîb ləšēšbaṣṣar dî šəmeh Zərūbbāḇel, וְיִהִיב לְשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּר דִּי שְׁמֵהּ זְרוּבָּבֶל) - This key phrase clarifies the identity of the appointed leader of the initial returnees. "Whose name was Zerubbabel" or "who is Zerubbabel by name" strongly suggests that Sheshbazzar was Zerubbabel's Persian/Babylonian administrative name/title, while Zerubbabel was his Judean name, significant due to his Davidic lineage (cf. Matt 1:12; Lk 3:27). The entrusting of the vessels to him legitimized his leadership and mandate to oversee the rebuilding of the temple and restore true worship.

Words-group analysis:

• "the gold and silver articles of the house of God... to the temple in Babylon": This phrase succinctly encapsulates the desecration and captivity of what was most sacred to Israel's worship, embodying the exile itself as a spiritual and physical removal from God's presence.
• "Nebuchadnezzar had taken... King Cyrus took... and gave them to Sheshbazzar": This highlights the grand sweep of divine sovereignty over human kingdoms and actions. The unrighteous taking by one king is meticulously undone and rightfully restored by another king, acting as God's chosen instrument, demonstrating God's ultimate control over history and His unwavering purpose for His people.
• "Sheshbazzar, whose name was Zerubbabel": This linking identifies the civil governor (Sheshbazzar, the Persian appointee) with the Davidic heir (Zerubbabel), demonstrating that the return and rebuilding effort was sanctioned by both Persian authority and divine (and ancestral) mandate, unifying the political and spiritual leadership for the mission. The continuity of God's promise to David (2 Sam 7) is implicitly upheld through Zerubbabel.

Ezra 5 14 Bonus section

The precise mention of the articles and their trajectory—from the Temple in Jerusalem to the temple in Babylon, and then back to the leadership of the returnees—underscores not only the immense value and sanctity of these items but also the meticulousness of God’s providence. It highlights a recurring biblical theme: while human kingdoms may rise and fall, believing they control destiny, it is Yahweh who truly orchestrates world events, turning the hearts of kings and fulfilling His eternal purposes (Dan 2:21; Prov 21:1). The detailed recollection by the Jewish elders (through Ezra) shows their profound awareness of this divine orchestration, affirming that their temple rebuilding was not merely a civic project but a sacred duty rooted in a powerful divine intervention. The recovery and entrusting of the vessels to Zerubbabel symbolize the unbroken covenant and the renewal of legitimate worship after exile.

Ezra 5 14 Commentary

Ezra 5:14 serves as a potent reminder of God’s absolute sovereignty and faithfulness, even amidst perceived defeat and despair. The temple articles, meticulously listed in Ezra 1, were not merely valuable assets; they were holy vessels consecrated for God's service. Nebuchadnezzar's act of taking them to his gods' temple was a public assertion of Babylon's deities' supremacy over Yahweh, a deep humiliation for Israel. Yet, in a powerful reversal, Cyrus, influenced by divine decree (as hinted in Ezra 1:1 and Isa 44:28), restores these very items, signaling God's ultimate victory and the vindication of His name.

The return of these articles was critical: they provided tangible proof of God's active hand in their deliverance, ensured cultic legitimacy for the rebuilt temple, and served as a symbol of hope and restored divine favor. Entrusting them to Sheshbazzar, identified as Zerubbabel (of the royal line of David), firmly establishes the continuity of leadership and divine purpose. This passage demonstrates that even kings who know Him not are mere instruments in God's master plan for His people, ensuring His promises concerning temple, worship, and leadership would be fulfilled, despite the challenges and opposition faced by the returned exiles. The vessels' return wasn't just logistical; it was a profound spiritual restoration, re-sanctifying the space for Yahweh's worship and empowering His chosen leaders.