Ezra 8:30 kjv
So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.
Ezra 8:30 nkjv
So the priests and the Levites received the silver and the gold and the articles by weight, to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God.
Ezra 8:30 niv
Then the priests and Levites received the silver and gold and sacred articles that had been weighed out to be taken to the house of our God in Jerusalem.
Ezra 8:30 esv
So the priests and the Levites took over the weight of the silver and the gold and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem, to the house of our God.
Ezra 8:30 nlt
So the priests and the Levites accepted the task of transporting these treasures of silver and gold to the Temple of our God in Jerusalem.
Ezra 8 30 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:25, 31, 36 | "The duties of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting were the tabernacle..." | Levites' specific duties in carrying sacred items. |
| Num 4:15 | "When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects... then the sons of Kohath shall come to carry them..." | Levites appointed to transport sacred articles. |
| Num 7:1-9 | "...Moses erected the tabernacle, he anointed it and consecrated it... Levites received wagons and oxen for service." | Receiving offerings for Tabernacle transport. |
| Deut 12:11 | "then to the place that the Lord your God will choose... there you shall bring all that I command you..." | Command to bring offerings to the chosen place of worship. |
| 1 Chr 9:28 | "Some of them were in charge of the utensils of service; for by count were they brought in and by count were they taken out." | Temple servants' precise accountability for articles. |
| 1 Chr 26:20 | "Of the Levites, Ahijah was in charge of the treasuries of the house of God and of the treasuries of the dedicated gifts." | Levites as custodians of Temple treasures. |
| 2 Chr 5:1 | "Thus all the work that Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished. And Solomon brought in the things that David his father had dedicated..." | Dedication and bringing of materials to the Temple. |
| Ezra 1:7-11 | "Cyrus the king also brought out the articles of the house of the Lord that Nebuchadnezzar had carried away..." | Previous return of Temple vessels; continuity of purpose. |
| Ezra 7:6 | "Ezra came up from Babylonia. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses that the Lord, the God of Israel, had given." | Ezra's leadership and commitment to God's Law for these acts. |
| Ezra 8:24-29 | "Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests... and weighed out to them the silver, the gold, and the articles..." | Immediate preceding context; careful weighing for accountability. |
| Neh 13:12 | "Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storerooms." | Israelites bringing dedicated offerings to the Temple. |
| Ps 76:11 | "Make vows to the Lord your God and perform them; let all around Him bring gifts to Him who is to be feared." | Bringing offerings/gifts as an act of worship. |
| Prov 16:11 | "A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are His work." | Divine standard for accuracy and fairness, aligning with "by weight." |
| Jer 32:9-10 | "I bought the field... and weighed out the money... and had the deed written and sealed." | Financial integrity and detailed records even in buying property. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house..." | Emphasis on bringing dedicated items for God's house. |
| Matt 6:19-21 | "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven..." | Heavenly perspective on wealth and its true purpose. |
| Luke 16:10 | "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much..." | Principle of faithfulness in managing entrusted resources. |
| Rom 12:1 | "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." | Principle of giving one's best for God, extended to offerings. |
| 1 Cor 4:1-2 | "This is how one should regard us: as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy." | Principle of trustworthiness and stewardship for God's servants. |
| Heb 9:1-2 | "Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary... containing the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence..." | Describes holy objects in the sanctuary, highlighting their importance. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace..." | Stewardship of gifts, including resources, for divine service. |
Ezra 8 verses
Ezra 8 30 Meaning
Ezra 8:30 details the immediate outcome of the formal assignment and careful weighing of the sacred contributions. It records that the appointed priests and Levites accepted, by exact measurement, the silver, gold, and other dedicated articles. This act signified their official assumption of responsibility to transport these precious and holy offerings from Babylon to Jerusalem, specifically for the house of their God, the rebuilt Temple. It highlights a moment of transition of custody and underscores the precise accountability in handling these consecrated materials.
Ezra 8 30 Context
Ezra 8:30 is set during the second major return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, led by Ezra, approximately 80 years after the first return under Zerubbabel. This chapter meticulously describes Ezra's preparations for the dangerous journey. The context leading to this verse includes Ezra's reliance on God's protection without a military escort (v. 22-23), his careful selection of trusted priests and Levites (v. 24-25), and the meticulous weighing and documenting of the large sum of silver, gold, and sacred articles contributed by King Artaxerxes, his advisors, Israel, and priests (v. 26-27) for the Temple in Jerusalem. Ezra specifically warns the appointed custodians to be watchful over the treasures, recognizing them as holy to the Lord and themselves as holy, until they could deliver them by weight in Jerusalem (v. 28-29). Thus, verse 30 marks the pivotal moment of actual transfer of custody, affirming that the assigned priests and Levites formally accepted this sacred trust and immense responsibility before embarking on the perilous journey. It underscores the precision and accountability demanded in handling divine dedicated items destined for God's dwelling place.
Ezra 8 30 Word analysis
- So: This word, functioning as a conjunction or adverb, indicates the consequence or direct outcome of the careful preparation, warnings, and entrustment detailed in the preceding verses (specifically Ezra 8:24-29). It signifies a smooth and orderly execution of Ezra's meticulous plan for the transport of the Temple treasures.
- the priests: (Hebrew: הַכֹּהֲנִים, hakohanim) Refers to those from the tribe of Levi who were descendants of Aaron. They held the highest spiritual office, responsible for officiating at the altar and in the Temple. Their inclusion emphasizes the sacred nature of the materials and the divine sanction of their handling. Only those consecrated could manage items holy to God.
- and the Levites: (Hebrew: וְהַלְוִיִּם, vehaleviyim) These were members of the tribe of Levi, descendants of Jacob’s son Levi, who assisted the priests in the Temple service. They were specifically tasked with carrying the Tabernacle and its furnishings (Num 1:50-51; 4:15). Their role here as joint recipients highlights shared responsibility and appropriate division of labor in sacred tasks, extending their traditional function to the transport of these consecrated resources.
- received: (Hebrew: קִבְּלוּ, qibbelu) Meaning "to take, accept, receive." This active verb implies a formal and conscious acceptance of the valuables, not a passive acquisition. It underscores their assent to the weighty responsibility (both literal and figurative) placed upon them by Ezra.
- the silver and the gold: These were significant quantities (over 650 talents of silver and 100 talents of gold – Ezra 8:26) representing valuable, donated contributions. They were vital for the financial needs of the Temple and its services. Their explicit mention signifies their material value as well as their consecrated purpose.
- and the articles: (Hebrew: וְהַכֵּלִים, vehakkelim) Refers to specific Temple vessels and furnishings. These included a large sum of gold bowls and polished bronze (Ezra 8:27-28), intended for cultic use. These items were not just wealth but sacred instruments of worship, making their careful handling paramount.
- by weight: (Hebrew: בְּמִשְׁקָל, bemišqal) This phrase is crucial. It means according to precise, documented measurement. It reiterates the meticulous accounting and transparency established in Ezra 8:25, 29. This practice served several purposes: to ensure no loss, to prevent accusations of theft or mismanagement, and to confirm the full and intact delivery upon arrival in Jerusalem. It embodies absolute integrity in handling sacred trusts. It serves as a strong implicit polemic against any notion of casual or dishonest handling of contributions, common in some corrupt religious or commercial practices of the time.
- to bring them: (Hebrew: לְהָבִיא, lehavi') This infinitive phrase denotes the clear purpose of their receipt – the journey and final delivery. It defines their role as carriers or conveyors of the consecrated items.
- to Jerusalem: The geographic destination, the historical and spiritual capital of Israel, where the Temple stood.
- to the house of our God: This identifies the ultimate, consecrated destination and purpose of the materials – the Temple (the second Temple after exile). This emphasizes the divine ownership of the items and the spiritual nature of the mission. The use of "our God" reinforces the collective covenant relationship between the returning exiles and Yahweh, for whom the Temple served as His dwelling place among them.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- So the priests and the Levites received: This opening phrase establishes the specific personnel entrusted with the holy task and their formal act of acceptance. It highlights divine delegation and the appropriate human agents for sacred responsibilities, under Ezra's authority.
- the silver and the gold and the articles by weight: This group of words precisely defines what was received and, crucially, how it was received. The specific enumeration of treasures emphasizes the material wealth, while "by weight" signifies the meticulousness and integrity of the process, ensuring transparency and accountability in handling significant and sacred assets. It's a testament to ethical stewardship.
- to bring them to Jerusalem to the house of our God: This clause clearly states the ultimate purpose and destination of the received treasures. It defines the mission: not merely transport, but delivery to the designated holy site for its intended sacred use. The phrase "house of our God" imbues the act with spiritual significance, grounding the practical task in theological purpose—serving Yahweh.
Ezra 8 30 Bonus section
- Contrast to Gentile practices: In a world where temple treasuries were often vulnerable to theft or political manipulation, Ezra's meticulous accounting and trusted oversight stood out as a testament to the Jewish commitment to integrity and God's holiness, presenting a silent rebuke to less scrupulous contemporary practices.
- Significance of no armed guard: Earlier in the chapter (Ezra 8:22), Ezra declined a military escort, trusting instead in God's protective hand. This makes the careful "receipt by weight" in verse 30 even more poignant. The human effort in accountability combined with divine trust for protection illustrates a balanced reliance on God while exercising prudent human stewardship.
- Prophetic Echoes: The painstaking effort to return treasures to the "house of our God" echoes the divine promise of restoration and re-establishment of worship in Jerusalem after exile, fulfilling prophecies from books like Jeremiah and Isaiah.
Ezra 8 30 Commentary
Ezra 8:30 succinctly describes the formal and weighty transfer of precious, consecrated offerings from Ezra's meticulous care to the immediate custody of the selected priests and Levites. This verse is the pivot point of the logistical and spiritual preparations for the journey to Jerusalem. The act of "receiving by weight" signifies extreme caution, accountability, and a profound reverence for God's holy dedicated items. It served to prevent any dispute or accusation of loss during transit, demonstrating Ezra's commitment to impeccable integrity in matters concerning divine provision and stewardship. The passage underscores the biblical principle that handling sacred resources for God's house requires not just physical strength but spiritual purity, trust, and transparent adherence to careful procedures, recognizing that these are not merely human valuables but "holy to the Lord" (Ezra 8:28).