Ezra 7 20

Ezra 7:20 kjv

And whatsoever more shall be needful for the house of thy God, which thou shalt have occasion to bestow, bestow it out of the king's treasure house.

Ezra 7:20 nkjv

And whatever more may be needed for the house of your God, which you may have occasion to provide, pay for it from the king's treasury.

Ezra 7:20 niv

And anything else needed for the temple of your God that you are responsible to supply, you may provide from the royal treasury.

Ezra 7:20 esv

And whatever else is required for the house of your God, which it falls to you to provide, you may provide it out of the king's treasury.

Ezra 7:20 nlt

If you need anything else for your God's Temple or for any similar needs, you may take it from the royal treasury.

Ezra 7 verses

Ezra 7 20 Meaning

This verse from King Artaxerxes' royal decree comprehensively assures Ezra that any further, unforeseen, or additional financial provisions necessary for the upkeep, service, or enhancement of the temple of his God in Jerusalem, beyond what has been explicitly enumerated, should be unhesitatingly provided and drawn directly from the king's imperial treasury. It signifies an open-ended commitment and generous support for the spiritual welfare and worship centered at the house of God.

Ezra 7 20 Context

Chapter Context: Ezra chapter 7 opens with Ezra, a revered priest and skillful scribe, journeying from Babylonia to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes' reign (458 BC). This journey, taken with other Jewish exiles, is sanctioned and heavily funded by a lavish royal decree from Artaxerxes. The decree not only provides safe passage and generous provisions for the Temple's sacrifices and restoration but also empowers Ezra with significant administrative authority to establish God's law throughout Trans-Euphrates. Verses 15-19 specifically list the gold, silver, and vessels already designated for the Temple. Verse 20 extends this, providing a comprehensive, open-ended commitment for any additional, unforeseen financial needs, demonstrating the king's immense backing for the House of God.

Historical Context: This event unfolds during the Achaemenid Persian Empire, roughly 60 years after the first return under Zerubbabel and the dedication of the rebuilt Second Temple, and approximately 13-14 years before Nehemiah's arrival to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. The Persian policy, initiated by Cyrus, generally favored allowing conquered peoples to practice their religions, viewing it as promoting stability within the empire and possibly invoking divine favor. Artaxerxes' decree aligns with this and demonstrates a pragmatic willingness to invest significant resources to support Jewish religious life in Judah. For the post-exilic community, this decree was not merely a royal favor but a powerful testament to God's continued faithfulness and sovereign hand, working through a foreign ruler to ensure the sustenance and spiritual vitality of His people and their worship center in Jerusalem.

Ezra 7 20 Word analysis

• And whatever more: Aramaic: וְשֵׁבַק (wə-šeḇaq) - literally "and the rest/remainder." This term indicates a supplementary provision, implying a sum beyond the specific amounts of gold, silver, and vessels already stipulated in Ezra 7:15-19. It speaks to a level of open-ended generosity, covering unitemized or future expenses.
• shall be needful: Aramaic: נִצְרָךְ (niṣrāḵ) - "needed," "required," or "necessary." This specifies that the additional expenditures must be for genuine and practical necessities of the Temple. It avoids frivolous spending, emphasizing purpose-driven financial support for the functioning of God's house.
• for the house of your God: Aramaic: לְבֵית אֱלָהָךְ (lə·ḇêṯ ’ĕlāhāḵ) - "to the house of your God." This phrase pinpoints the precise purpose of the funds, differentiating them from other imperial expenditures. It explicitly designates the resources for the Temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem, highlighting its supreme importance and distinct identity within the Persian Empire. "Your God" acknowledges the unique God of Ezra and Israel, subtly recognizing His specific nature.
• which you may have occasion to spend: Aramaic: אֲשַׁר יֶאֶרְכֵּךְ תְּהַבַּק (ăšaṯ ye’er·ḵêḵ təhabbak) - literally "what reaches/is fitting for you to incur (a debt/expenditure)." This grants Ezra broad discretionary authority and empowers him to determine necessary additional spending. It signifies profound trust in his integrity and judgment as God's representative and the king's steward.
• spend it: A direct, unambiguous imperative, indicating immediate authorization and expected compliance. It underscores the king's firm commitment to ensuring the necessary funds are disbursed without hindrance or bureaucratic delay.
• out of the royal treasury: Aramaic: מִבֵּית גִּנְזֵי מַלְכָא (mib·bêṯ gin·zê mal·kā’) - "from the house of the treasuries of the king." This specifies the source of funding: the vast and seemingly limitless imperial coffers of the Persian Empire. This reveals the immense resources at the king's disposal and, more profoundly, God's sovereign ability to provide for His purposes even through pagan authorities who possess such immense wealth.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And whatever more shall be needful": This phrase defines an open-ended, comprehensive commitment. It speaks to covering any and all legitimate, unforeseen future financial requirements for the Temple. It reveals a level of support that goes beyond initial grants, ensuring long-term sustainability for divine service.
• "for the house of your God": This clear designation underlines the specific theological and religious focus of the royal decree. It establishes the priority and sacred nature of the expenditures, directed solely towards the proper worship of the unique God of Israel, distinct from other deities or secular endeavors within the vast Persian realm.
• "which you may have occasion to spend, spend it": This dual phrasing grants substantial agency and autonomy to Ezra. It conveys a mandate for decisive action without bureaucratic red tape, empowering Ezra as both a religious leader and an imperial representative with full financial oversight for the Temple's needs.
• "out of the royal treasury": This monumental source of funding underscores the extraordinary nature of God's provision. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over the mightiest earthly kingdoms, showing His capacity to utilize any resource, however unlikely, to fulfill His divine will and advance His kingdom and His people's spiritual well-being.

Ezra 7 20 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "your God" in the royal decree subtly distinguishes the God of Israel from the numerous deities worshipped throughout the Persian Empire. It implies a recognition of Yahweh as a powerful, singular entity deserving of special patronage, reflecting either Artaxerxes’ pragmatism in seeking favor from this influential deity or, more profoundly, the unction of the Holy Spirit on a foreign ruler (as acknowledged by Ezra himself). Furthermore, the Aramaic language of this decree reinforces its official, legally binding status across the entire Persian administration. This authoritative documentation would have provided robust protection and resources for Ezra's mission, overriding any potential local resistance or financial bureaucratic obstacles.

Ezra 7 20 Commentary

Ezra 7:20 is a powerful testament to God's comprehensive provision for His people and His purposes. Following initial allocations, King Artaxerxes’ open-ended decree for any additional Temple needs—to be drawn directly from his vast imperial treasury—showcases an unprecedented level of royal generosity and trust placed in Ezra. This is not simply royal favor but an active, divine orchestration (Ezra 7:27-28), as God moves the heart of a powerful pagan king to abundantly support the true worship of Yahweh. It assures the post-exilic community that despite their own limited resources, the resources of the most powerful empire are available for "the house of your God," underscoring God's limitless ability to supply needs when His kingdom and purposes are prioritized. This verse highlights the practical manifestation of God's care, ensuring that financial constraints would not hinder the spiritual flourishing or operational integrity of the Temple in Jerusalem. Just as Artaxerxes provided for "whatever more" was needful, God’s providential care for believers extends beyond initial blessings, covering unforeseen needs as they commit to His will, often through surprising means.