Ezra 8 25

Ezra 8:25 kjv

And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:

Ezra 8:25 nkjv

and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles, the offering for the house of our God which the king and his counselors and his princes, and all Israel who were present, had offered.

Ezra 8:25 niv

and I weighed out to them the offering of silver and gold and the articles that the king, his advisers, his officials and all Israel present there had donated for the house of our God.

Ezra 8:25 esv

And I weighed out to them the silver and the gold and the vessels, the offering for the house of our God that the king and his counselors and his lords and all Israel there present had offered.

Ezra 8:25 nlt

to be in charge of transporting the silver, the gold, the gold bowls, and the other items that the king, his council, his officials, and all the people of Israel had presented for the Temple of God.

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 25 Meaning

Ezra 8:25 details the precise weighing out of valuable temple offerings – silver, gold, and vessels – by Ezra to the chief priests and Levites entrusted with their safekeeping. These offerings, consecrated for the Lord's house, had been generously contributed by King Artaxerxes, his officials, and faithful Israelites present in Babylon. The act underscores meticulous stewardship, transparency, and the sacred value placed upon the gifts intended for God's sanctuary.

Ezra 8 25 Context

Ezra chapter 8 records the list of families accompanying Ezra on the second major return from Babylon to Jerusalem. Prior to their departure, Ezra proclaimed a fast at the river Ahava (Ezr 8:21), seeking God's protection for the dangerous journey through bandit-infested territory, as he had declined a military escort from the king. Verses 24-30 detail Ezra’s scrupulous care in entrusting the substantial treasures for the Temple to twelve chosen leaders, ensuring strict accountability and transparency for the valuable contributions received. This verse (8:25) initiates this act of careful delegation and highlights the preciousness and sacred nature of the items.

Ezra 8 25 Word analysis

• "And I weighed out" (וָאֶשְׁקְלָה – wa'eshq'lah): From the Hebrew root shaqal (שָׁקַל), meaning "to weigh," "to pay," or "to give an exact amount." This is a significant act demonstrating meticulous precision and transparent accountability. It wasn't a casual handing over but a formal measurement of value, vital in an age before standardized currency where wealth was often held in precious metals by weight. This precision underscored the sanctity and high value of the temple treasury, guarding against fraud or misreporting.
• "to them": Refers to the twelve leading priests and Levites previously selected and named in Ezra 8:24, who were chosen for their spiritual integrity and leadership qualities, indicating delegated responsibility.
• "the silver, the gold, and the vessels": These three categories represent the entirety of the Temple treasures. "Vessels" (כֵּלִים – kelim) would include implements for Temple service, such as bowls, censers, or dishes used for sacrifices and offerings, emphasizing their consecrated function.
• "the offering" (הַתְּרוּמָה – haterumah): A Hebrew term often referring to a "heave offering" or a sacred contribution specifically designated for the Lord, typically given to support the sanctuary and its ministers (e.g., Exod 25:2-3). It carries the connotation of a lifted, consecrated gift, distinct from a mere donation.
• "for the house of our God": The Temple in Jerusalem, which was the physical dwelling place for God’s presence among His people and the center of Israelite worship. This phrase emphasizes the ultimate sacred purpose and destination of the wealth.
• "which the king": Refers to Artaxerxes I, the Persian monarch who had granted Ezra permission and resources for the journey and the Temple restoration (Ezr 7:11-26). His contribution highlights divine sovereignty over even pagan rulers who are moved to support God's purposes.
• "and his counselors and his officials": Demonstrates the breadth of support from the Persian imperial administration, indicating a significant and authoritative collection of resources beyond just the king's personal wealth. This shows divine favor for the Temple work.
• "and all Israel present there": This includes the Jewish people living in exile in Babylon who had chosen not to return in earlier waves, signifying a unified effort between foreign powers and God's people for the reconstruction and enrichment of His house. "Present there" suggests a representation of the diaspora.
• "had contributed": The Hebrew verb used (נָדָב – nadab) suggests "offered willingly" or "donated generously." This reinforces the freewill nature of the offerings, whether from the king (prompted by God) or the Israelites, contrasting with taxes or obligatory dues.

Ezra 8 25 Bonus section

The total value of the silver and gold detailed in Ezra 8:26-27 is enormous by ancient standards, representing many tons of precious metals. This vast sum points to Artaxerxes’ remarkable generosity (likely influenced by Ezra’s favorable standing and divine providence) and the collective earnestness of the exiles in supporting the Temple. The public weighing and the delegation to twelve individuals mirror the Israelite judicial and administrative principles of having multiple witnesses or trusted representatives in significant transactions (Deut 19:15). This procedure effectively prevented any insinuation of embezzlement or mismanagement throughout the long and dangerous journey back to Jerusalem. It emphasizes not just trusting God for protection from external threats (like bandits), but also putting internal measures in place to ensure integrity and order within sacred service.

Ezra 8 25 Commentary

Ezra 8:25 is a critical verse underscoring the values of integrity, transparency, and accountability in handling God's resources. Ezra’s meticulous weighing of the treasures before entrusting them to selected priests and Levites was not merely administrative but spiritual. It served several purposes: protecting the leaders from false accusations of theft, ensuring precise financial stewardship, and reverently acknowledging the sanctity of the consecrated items. The very act of "weighing out" emphasized the sacred value and required careful, public handling of these consecrated items, symbolizing the divine reverence they commanded. The diverse sources of the contributions—from a pagan king and his officials to faithful Israelites—illustrate God's sovereign hand at work, prompting hearts both inside and outside the covenant to contribute to His plans. This verse, therefore, offers a powerful lesson in trustworthy stewardship, recognizing that all gifts are ultimately from God and must be handled with utmost care and integrity for His glory.

Examples for practical usage:

• Church treasurers meticulously recording and reporting funds received.
• Ministry leaders being transparent with financial donations from various sources.
• Individuals faithfully stewarding personal talents and resources dedicated to God's service.