Ezra 8 29

Ezra 8:29 kjv

Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.

Ezra 8:29 nkjv

Watch and keep them until you weigh them before the leaders of the priests and the Levites and heads of the fathers' houses of Israel in Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD."

Ezra 8:29 niv

Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the house of the LORD in Jerusalem before the leading priests and the Levites and the family heads of Israel."

Ezra 8:29 esv

Guard them and keep them until you weigh them before the chief priests and the Levites and the heads of fathers' houses in Israel at Jerusalem, within the chambers of the house of the LORD."

Ezra 8:29 nlt

Guard these treasures well until you present them to the leading priests, the Levites, and the leaders of Israel, who will weigh them at the storerooms of the LORD's Temple in Jerusalem."

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 29 Meaning

Ezra 8:29 instructs those entrusted with the sacred temple treasures to diligently watch and keep these valuable items until they arrive in Jerusalem. Upon their arrival, the items are to be formally weighed and accounted for in the presence of the highest religious leaders—the chief of the priests and the Levites—and the leading heads of Israelite families. This specific act of accounting must take place within the designated chambers of the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, signifying the solemnity, transparency, and sacredness of the stewardship involved. It underscores integrity and faithful completion of a vital task.

Ezra 8 29 Context

Ezra chapter 8 details Ezra's journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, marking the second major return of exiles after the initial group led by Zerubbabel. Prior to setting out, Ezra, as a priest and scribe, meticulously gathered those returning and sought divine guidance through fasting at the river Ahava (vv. 21-23), seeking a safe passage for their company and the significant temple offerings.

Verses 24-28 describe Ezra selecting twelve prominent priests and Levites whom he specifically designates to carry and guard the vast amounts of gold, silver, and other valuable vessels intended for the Jerusalem Temple. These items were offerings collected for the house of the LORD, entrusted to the returning exiles.

Ezra 8:29 acts as a crucial instruction given to these appointed guardians. It underscores the immense responsibility placed upon them for the safe transport and proper handling of these consecrated gifts. It provides clear parameters for their accountability: they must diligently watch over the treasures until they are ceremonially handed over by weight to the highest religious and community authorities within the very chambers of the Lord's house. This specific directive ensures transparency and prevents any accusations of loss or theft, mirroring Ezra’s own commitment to integrity as he brings valuable, sacred gifts back to the restored community in Jerusalem.

Ezra 8 29 Word analysis

• Watch ye (וְשִׁמְרוּ - wə-šimrū): This is from the Hebrew root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning to guard, observe, or keep watch. It implies an active, diligent, and vigilant protection. It signifies not merely a passive observance but an intense responsibility to ensure safety, much like a sentinel guarding a post. The form is a Piel imperfect consecutive, acting as a strong imperative for sustained action.

• and keep them (וְעַשׂוּ - wə-ʿāśū): From the Hebrew root עָשָׂה (ʿāśāh), typically meaning "to do" or "to make." When paired with shamar ("watch/guard"), it conveys the idea of performing the duty of guarding, carrying out the responsibility of preservation. It emphasizes active engagement and fulfilling the task with thoroughness and adherence to the command. It's not just "seeing to it," but "acting on it."

• until ye weigh them (עַד אֲשֶׁר תִּשְׁקְלוּ - ʿad ʾăšer tišqəlū): The verb is from שָׁקַל (shāqal), meaning to weigh, especially in the context of money, precious metals, or tribute. This points to a formal, precise, and meticulous inventory. Weighing in the ancient Near East was the standard method for verifying the exact quantity and value of goods, especially silver and gold, to ensure accuracy and prevent fraud. It underscores complete accountability.

• before (לִפְנֵי - lifnê): Literally "to the face of," signifying "in the presence of," "before the eyes of." This emphasizes public accountability and transparency. The act of weighing was to be done openly before witnesses.

• the chief of the priests (שָׂרֵי הַכֹּהֲנִים - śārê hakkōhănîm): Śārê (chiefs, leaders, officials) and kōhănîm (priests). These were the spiritual and sacrificial leaders, holding high religious authority in the post-exilic community. Their presence validates the transfer of the holy treasures.

• and the Levites (וְהַלְוִיִּם - wəhalləwiyyim): The Levites were responsible for the maintenance of the Temple, its instruments, and service. They served alongside the priests and were guardians of the sacred. Their inclusion shows a broad base of religious authority receiving the treasures.

• and chief of the fathers of Israel (וְשָׂרֵי הָאָבוֹת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל - wəśārê hāʾāvôt lə-yiśrāʾēl): Śārê hāʾāvôt means "chiefs of the fathers" or "heads of the ancestral houses." These were lay leaders representing the tribes and families, symbolizing the collective body of Israel. Their involvement underscores communal oversight and ensures that the transfer of the holy treasury has the approval and witness of the entire restored nation, not just religious functionaries.

• at Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם - bîrūšālayim): The intended holy city, the central place of worship and the re-establishment of the community of Israel. It emphasizes the ultimate destination and purpose of the gifts for the temple there.

• in the chambers of the house of the LORD (הַלְּשָׁכוֹת בֵּית יְהוָה - halləšākôt bêt YHWH): Ləšākôt (chambers) refers to specific rooms within the temple complex, often used for storage, administrative purposes, or for housing priests and Levites. Performing the weighing in these chambers implies handling sacred items in a sacred and secure environment, emphasizing their holiness and the reverence due to God's possessions. It underscores the proper protocol for holy objects.

• "Watch ye, and keep them": This phrase encapsulates the core instruction for meticulous care and diligent preservation. It’s an active and continuous responsibility until the hand-off.

• "until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel": This highlights the terminal point of their responsibility and the necessary transparency and multi-level accountability. The handover is not informal; it's a solemn public ceremony before both sacred and community leaders.

• "at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD": This defines the exact location and sanctity of the event. It specifies the proper context—the holy city and consecrated temple precincts—for the official transfer of the sacred offerings, underlining the divine purpose and destiny of these treasures.

Ezra 8 29 Bonus section

• The detail of "weighing" versus merely counting points to an older system of verifying true value, common when currency involved unminted metals. It ensured no light weights or substitutions occurred.
• Ezra’s trust in God's protection (v. 31) did not negate the need for human diligence and careful stewardship (vv. 24-29). Divine providence and human responsibility are presented as complementary.
• This act can be seen as a microcosm of rebuilding trust and order in post-exilic Israel. Transparent and accountable handling of sacred assets fostered communal confidence and adherence to God’s laws.
• The phrase "the chief of the fathers of Israel" demonstrates the continuing importance of family and clan structure in the returned community and their participatory role in significant national/religious events.

Ezra 8 29 Commentary

Ezra 8:29 serves as a crucial point in the narrative, encapsulating Ezra's demand for unassailable integrity and profound reverence concerning God's resources. The instruction to "watch and keep" transcends mere physical custody; it denotes a spiritual diligence—a sacred trust where the stewards' moral character is as significant as their protective actions. The precise act of "weighing" them, performed publicly before a broad spectrum of Israel’s spiritual and civil leadership, illustrates radical transparency. This meticulous accounting served multiple purposes: it certified the exact quantities against original records, prevented any insinuation of misappropriation, and affirmed the items' continued dedication to the Lord. Doing so within the sacred "chambers of the house of the LORD" emphasizes that these were not just valuable commodities, but consecrated instruments meant for divine service. This verse provides a powerful example of faithful stewardship, where diligence, transparency, and reverence for God's holy possessions are paramount until they can be dedicated to their proper sacred use.