Ezra 6:5 kjv
And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
Ezra 6:5 nkjv
Also let the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple which is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and taken back to the temple which is in Jerusalem, each to its place; and deposit them in the house of God"?
Ezra 6:5 niv
Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; they are to be deposited in the house of God.
Ezra 6:5 esv
And also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that is in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be restored and brought back to the temple that is in Jerusalem, each to its place. You shall put them in the house of God."
Ezra 6:5 nlt
Furthermore, the gold and silver cups, which were taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar from the Temple of God in Jerusalem, must be returned to Jerusalem and put back where they belong. Let them be taken back to the Temple of God."
Ezra 6 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezra 1:7-11 | King Cyrus...brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord... and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar... | Cyrus's initial decree to return vessels. |
| Ezra 5:14-15 | Also the gold and silver vessels of the house of God... Nebuchadnezzar took... King Cyrus took out... delivered unto one... Sheshbazzar... | Earlier reference by Tattenai to Cyrus's action. |
| Ezra 7:19 | The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God... deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem. | Artaxerxes' later decree concerning temple vessels. |
| Neh 1:2-3 | ...that Hanani...came, he and certain men of Judah... and concerning Jerusalem... the wall... is broken down... | Context of Jerusalem's desolate state before restoration. |
| 2 Ki 24:13 | And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the Lord... and he cut in pieces all the vessels of gold... | Nebuchadnezzar's original desecration and removal. |
| 2 Chro 36:18 | And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small... he brought to Babylon. | Further detail on the extent of Nebuchadnezzar's seizure. |
| Dan 1:2 | And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God... | Prophetic account of God's allowance of the vessels' seizure. |
| Dan 5:1-4, 23 | Belshazzar...commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple... but the God in whose hand thy breath is... hast thou not glorified. | Belshazzar's sacrilege using these specific vessels. |
| Jer 27:16, 20-22 | Bring back shortly the vessels of the Lord's house... They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them... then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place. | Prophecy of the vessels' exile and eventual return. |
| Num 3:31 | And their charge shall be the ark, and the table... and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister... | Levitical responsibility for sacred utensils. |
| 1 Chro 9:28-29 | Some of them also had the charge of the instruments of the ministry, and all the vessels of the sanctuary... | Record of temple workers safeguarding holy vessels. |
| Exo 25:9, 40 | According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle... so shall ye make it. And look that thou make them after their pattern... | Divine instruction for sacred objects' design and use. |
| Isa 52:11 | Depart ye...be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. | Call to purity for those ministering with holy objects. |
| Isa 44:28 | That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built... | God's prophecy naming Cyrus as His instrument for restoration. |
| Isa 45:1-4 | Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus... I will go before thee... for Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect... | God commissions Cyrus for His purposes. |
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. | God's sovereignty over the will of rulers. |
| Psa 33:10-11 | The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought... The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever... | God's eternal counsel prevails over human plans. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. | All authority is divinely established. |
| Jer 29:10-14 | For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return... | Prophecy of the end of the 70-year exile and return. |
| Hag 1:8 | Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord. | Divine encouragement for temple rebuilding. |
| Zec 1:16 | Therefore thus saith the Lord...my house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts... | God's promise to rebuild His house in Jerusalem. |
| 1 Cor 3:16-17 | Know ye not that ye are the temple of God... If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy... | Believers as the spiritual temple, emphasis on sanctity. |
| 2 Tim 2:20-21 | But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver... but also... some to honour... If a man therefore purge himself... he shall be a vessel unto honour... | Believers as spiritual vessels, emphasis on purity and usefulness. |
Ezra 6 verses
Ezra 6 5 Meaning
King Darius's decree mandates that the gold and silver vessels belonging to the house of God, which King Nebuchadnezzar had seized from the temple in Jerusalem and transported to Babylon, must be faithfully returned. They are to be brought back to their designated place in the temple in Jerusalem and subsequently placed again in the house of God for their sacred purpose.
Ezra 6 5 Context
Ezra chapter 6 details King Darius's crucial decree regarding the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. This decree comes after Tattenai, the governor of Trans-Euphrates, questioned the authority of the Jews to rebuild and reported their activities to Darius. Darius commanded a search of the royal archives, leading to the discovery of Cyrus's original decree (Ezra 6:1-5). Ezra 6:5, specifically, extends this affirmation by stipulating not only the continuation of construction but also the precise return and repositioning of the sacred gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple during its destruction and carried to Babylon. This verse highlights the profound historical reversal, marking the transition from an era of judgment and exile to one of divine restoration and faithfulness, ensuring the complete re-establishment of the temple's cultic worship.
Ezra 6 5 Word analysis
- And also (Aramaic: `וְאַף`, və'af): This introductory conjunction emphasizes that this part of the decree (the return of vessels) is an addition or a confirmation that supplements the main command concerning the temple building itself. It underscores the comprehensive nature of Darius's commitment to the temple's restoration.
- gold and silver vessels (Aramaic: `מָאנֵי כְסַף־ וְדַהֲבָא`, ma'ney kəsaph- wədahaḇā'): `Ma'ney` refers to instruments or articles, specifically indicating objects for use. The specification of "gold and silver" highlights their preciousness, not just in material value, but especially their sacredness as consecrated objects for divine service.
- of the house of God (Aramaic: `דִּי בֵיתָהּ דִּי אֱלָהָא`, dî bêṯāh dî 'ĕlāhā'): This phrase strongly emphasizes the divine ownership and sacred dedication of these vessels. They belonged uniquely to God's sanctuary, reinforcing their holiness and inviolability, and clarifying their rightful, singular purpose (Lev 8:10-11).
- which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought to Babylon (Aramaic: `דִּי נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר נְפַק מִן הֵיכְלָא דִּי בִירוּשְׁלֶם וְהֵיבֵל לְבָבֶל`): This clause precisely identifies the historical act of desecration and exile (2 Ki 24:13; 2 Chro 36:18; Dan 1:2). `Hêḵlā'` (temple) specifies the central sanctuary in Jerusalem. The reference to Nebuchadnezzar evokes the height of Babylonian power and Judah's humiliation, making their mandated return a powerful reversal and sign of divine favor. It implicitly contrasts the former idolatrous appropriation of these holy vessels for revelry (Dan 5:1-4).
- be restored and brought again unto their place in the temple that is in Jerusalem (Aramaic: `יַהֲתִּיבוּן וְיֵתֹן לְאַתְרָהּ לְהֵיכְלָא דִּי בִירוּשְׁלֶם`): The Aramaic verbs for "restore" (`yahathibun`) and "brought again" (`yethon`) are emphatic commands, showing royal authority and precision. "Unto their place" (`le'atrah`) signifies a restitution to their original and proper function, restoring order and holiness where desecration had occurred. It underscores the idea of reversing what was wrongly done and reinstating the true function and location (Jer 27:20-22).
- and let them be placed in the house of God (Aramaic: `וְיִתְפַּקְדוּן בְּבֵ֣ית אֱלָהָֽא`, wəyitpaqdûn bəḇêṯ 'ĕlāhā'): `Yitpaqdûn` conveys not merely a casual placement, but a formal depositing, registering, or assigning them to their intended duty within the "house of God." This ensures their sacred status and utility in worship, marking the full spiritual and physical re-consecration of the temple's contents.
- Vessels' Sacred Journey: This passage highlights the profound journey of these vessels – from creation and consecration for God's house (Exo 25), through the humiliation of seizure and profanation by foreign kings (Dan 5), to their triumphant return and reinstatement by a divinely-influenced gentile king. It speaks to God's overarching providence and ultimate control over historical events and human rulers (Prov 21:1).
- Reversal of Desecration and Affirmation of Divine Sovereignty: The meticulous instruction for the return and proper placement of these specific, sacred vessels is a powerful symbolic act. It signifies a profound reversal of the humiliation suffered by God’s people and His temple, asserting Yahweh's enduring sovereignty over all human kingdoms, even those that seemed to triumph over His people (Psa 33:10-11). It serves as a polemic against the worldview that deities of conquered nations are impotent, by showing the supreme God compelling the reigning superpower to facilitate His worship.
Ezra 6 5 Bonus section
The Aramaic term `הֵיכְלָא` (heykhla), translated "temple," specifically refers to the main sanctuary building rather than the entire temple complex. This precision underscores that the decree pertains to the holy core where the sacred vessels functioned. The meticulousness of Darius's decree, extending beyond the building to its contents, could reflect a Persian administrative characteristic of detailed record-keeping and logistical control. Historically, it is known that empires often respected local deities to ensure stability within conquered territories. However, the unique nature of this decree—including state funding and the return of cultic objects from the royal treasury itself—suggests more than mere political expediency, pointing towards a divinely-ordained influence on the king (as seen in Isa 45). The fact that the vessels were eventually returned affirms God's commitment to the integrity and holiness of His house and objects consecrated to His service, reminding us that nothing dedicated to Him is ultimately lost or perpetually profaned if He wills its restoration.
Ezra 6 5 Commentary
Ezra 6:5 marks a significant turning point in the post-exilic restoration. Darius's decree to return the temple vessels transcends mere administrative action; it is a profound declaration of Yahweh's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty. The vessels, taken in conquest, symbolize the defilement and scattering of God's people. Their mandated return signifies the reversal of judgment, the healing of spiritual wounds, and the full re-establishment of authentic worship in Jerusalem. This was not simply a physical return of artifacts, but a powerful divine statement affirming the legitimacy of the rebuilt temple and the enduring covenant with Israel. It echoes the prophetic assurances that God remembers His people and will bring them back to their spiritual home, fully equipped for service. The specific, imperative language demonstrates that God uses even pagan kings to accomplish His divine will, restoring order where humanity wrought chaos.
For example, this highlights that what God has dedicated, remains His, regardless of temporary defilement or capture, always returning to its sacred purpose. Spiritually, just as these physical vessels were sanctified for God's use, believers are called to be "vessels unto honour," cleansed for the Master's use (2 Tim 2:21). The Lord is always at work to restore His chosen and their worship to its proper place, even overcoming significant opposition.