Ezra 6:17 kjv
And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
Ezra 6:17 nkjv
And they offered sacrifices at the dedication of this house of God, one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
Ezra 6:17 niv
For the dedication of this house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred male lambs and, as a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel.
Ezra 6:17 esv
They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
Ezra 6:17 nlt
During the dedication ceremony for the Temple of God, 100 young bulls, 200 rams, and 400 male lambs were sacrificed. And 12 male goats were presented as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel.
Ezra 6 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 29:43 | "There I will meet with the sons of Israel, and it shall be sanctified..." | God's presence at consecrated place |
| Lev 1:1-9 | "...If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd..." | Instructions for burnt offerings |
| Lev 4:1-35 | "...If the whole congregation of Israel commits error..." | Instructions for sin offerings |
| Num 7:1-88 | "...on the day the altar was anointed, for its dedication..." | Extensive offerings at Tabernacle dedication |
| Deut 12:5-7 | "...you shall seek the place where the Lord your God will choose..." | Centralization of worship in chosen place |
| 1 Kgs 8:63 | "...Solomon offered the sacrifice of peace offerings..." | Solomon's temple dedication offerings |
| 2 Chr 7:4-5 | "...Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices..." | Parallel to Solomon's dedication offerings |
| Ezra 6:15 | "This house was completed on the third day of the month Adar..." | Immediate context of temple completion |
| Hag 2:7-9 | "...the latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former..." | Prophecy regarding the Second Temple's glory |
| Zec 4:9 | "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house..." | Reinforcement of temple rebuilding success |
| Mal 3:3-4 | "...Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing..." | Future acceptable offerings to the Lord |
| Gen 35:22b-26 | "...and the sons of Jacob were twelve." | Origin of the twelve tribes of Israel |
| Deut 29:10-13 | "...all Israel stand this day before the Lord your God..." | Covenant includes all tribes |
| Eze 37:21-22 | "...and I will bring them into their own land, and make them one nation..." | Prophecy of reunited Israel |
| Matt 19:28 | "...when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne..." | 12 apostles judging the 12 tribes |
| Rev 7:4-8 | "...144,000 of all the tribes of the sons of Israel were sealed." | Symbolic representation of 12 tribes in NT |
| Rom 3:25 | "...Jesus as a propitiation through faith in His blood..." | Christ as the ultimate sin offering |
| Heb 9:11-14 | "...Christ came as a high priest of the good things..." | Christ's superior and final sacrifice |
| Heb 10:1-10 | "...the law is only a shadow of the good things to come..." | Old Testament sacrifices point to Christ |
| 2 Cor 5:21 | "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf..." | Christ bearing sin for humanity |
| Isa 53:10 | "...If He would render Himself as a guilt offering..." | Christ's sacrificial suffering |
| Jer 29:10-14 | "For thus says the Lord, 'When seventy years have been completed...' " | God's plan for restoration after exile |
| Neh 8:1-3 | "...all the people gathered as one man at the square..." | Reaffirmation of the Law by unified people |
| 1 Cor 6:19 | "...your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you..." | Believers as living temples |
Ezra 6 verses
Ezra 6 17 Meaning
Ezra 6:17 details the sacrificial offerings presented by the returning Jewish exiles for the solemn dedication of the newly completed Second Temple in Jerusalem. These sacrifices consisted of significant numbers of burnt offerings (one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs), symbolizing complete dedication and consecration to God. Additionally, twelve male goats were offered specifically as a sin offering for "all Israel," emphasizing the need for corporate atonement and purification for the entire nation, representative of the twelve tribes, thus reaffirming their unified identity and renewed covenant relationship with God after their return from exile.
Ezra 6 17 Context
Ezra chapter 6 marks a pivotal moment in the post-exilic period: the successful completion and dedication of the Second Temple. Following the initial decree of Cyrus, the rebuilding efforts had faced significant opposition and cessation (Ezra 4). However, with the encouragement of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (Ezra 5) and the discovery of Cyrus's original edict during Darius's reign, a new royal decree was issued by Darius. This decree not only authorized the continuation of the work but also provided resources and ensured protection for the builders. Verse 15 declares the temple's completion on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of King Darius's reign (c. 516 BC), roughly 70 years after its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. Verse 16 describes the joyous dedication, setting the stage for the specific details of the offerings found in verse 17. The acts of dedication and sacrifice highlighted here were not merely architectural but deeply spiritual, signifying the re-establishment of centralized worship for a people returning to their land and renewing their covenant relationship with God.
Ezra 6 17 Word analysis
- And they offered (וְהַקְרִבוּ - vəhaqrivu): Aramaic. This verb signifies "to bring near" or "to present," highlighting the act of reverently bringing sacrifices to God. It indicates a deliberate act of worship and submission.
- at the dedication (בַּחֲנֻכַּת - baḥanukkat): Aramaic. Ḥanukkah means "consecration," "inauguration," or "dedication." This term implies setting something apart as holy and dedicated for sacred use. It marks a new beginning and establishment of the sacred.
- of this house of God (בֵּית־אֱלָהָא דְנָה - bet 'elahah dena): Aramaic for "this House of God." Explicitly names the Temple as the dedicated space, confirming its sacred purpose as Yahweh's dwelling place and center of worship for Israel.
- a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs: Specific, large quantities of animals used for burnt offerings (likely). Bulls were the largest and most valuable; rams and lambs were also common for various offerings. The descending number suggests a structured, significant offering. These represent a costly and total commitment, expressing deep reverence and devotion to God upon the temple's completion.
- and for a sin offering (וְלַחֲטָאָה - vəleḥaṭṭa'ah): Aramaic. Ḥaṭṭa'ah refers to the "sin offering" (Hebrew
chatta't). Its purpose was atonement for specific or general sins, purifying the individuals or community, thereby restoring relationship with God. Essential for ritual purity. - for all Israel: Emphasizes the collective nature of the sin offering. This offering was not just for the returning community, but for the entire nation, signifying national solidarity and a corporate need for divine cleansing and forgiveness, unifying them before God.
- twelve male goats: The type of animal designated for this specific sin offering. Male goats were common for sin offerings in the Mosaic Law. The number 'twelve' is profoundly symbolic and holds significant meaning here.
- according to the number of the tribes of Israel: Directly links the twelve goats to the historical and ideal twelve tribes, despite the divided kingdom and diaspora. It signifies an aspirational spiritual unity and comprehensive representation of the entire nation before God, acknowledging that God's covenant was with all His people, scattered or gathered.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And they offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs": This entire phrase describes the massive burnt offerings for the Temple's inauguration. It conveys complete surrender and worship, signifying that the rebuilt sanctuary was wholeheartedly given back to God as the central place for His people's worship. This dedication demonstrated obedience to the Law and profound gratitude for restoration.
- "and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel": This distinct phrase highlights the crucial aspect of national purification. The specific choice of twelve male goats, one for each tribe, underscores the commitment to spiritual unity and collective atonement. It served as a reminder that despite the physical temple being rebuilt, spiritual cleansing for all of God's scattered and gathered people was paramount for the ongoing covenant relationship and God's renewed dwelling among them.
Ezra 6 17 Bonus section
- The meticulous counting and designation of specific animal types reflect strict adherence to Mosaic Law and the seriousness with which these sacred rites were observed by the post-exilic community.
- Compared to the lavishness of Solomon's Temple dedication (1 Kgs 8:63), where offerings were significantly larger, the scale of sacrifices here, while still substantial for a struggling community, reflects their more humble circumstances yet unwavering devotion. This commitment, aided by royal decree, demonstrated faith in action despite limitations.
- This dedication of the physical Temple prefigures the New Testament concept of believers being the spiritual "temple of God" (1 Cor 3:16) and "living sacrifices" (Rom 12:1), dedicated to Him. The collective aspect for "all Israel" finds resonance in the universal church, which is Christ's body.
Ezra 6 17 Commentary
Ezra 6:17 provides a glimpse into the depth of devotion and understanding of God's Law by the returned exiles. The extensive burnt offerings symbolize their absolute commitment and gratitude to God for enabling the temple's completion, signifying their renewed allegiance. Crucially, the twelve male goats for a sin offering, representing "all Israel" and "the number of the tribes," speaks volumes. It shows the community's profound recognition of their collective need for atonement, both for past sins leading to exile and for present impurities. This act of purification was essential before the sanctuary could be fully active in its sacred purpose as God's dwelling place. It highlights the unified aspiration to stand righteous before God, transcending physical dispersion and re-affirming the foundational covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people, demonstrating that even a struggling, recently restored community could express profound worship and a yearning for national holiness.