And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
EZRA 1:4KJVWhat does Ezra 1:4 mean?
Ezra 1:4 instructs people living in any place where Jewish exiles remain to help those exiles with silver, gold, goods, and animals, in addition to voluntary offerings for rebuilding the house of God in Jerusalem. This verse calls for the local population to support the returning Jews as they prepare to go back and restore their temple.
This verse records part of King Cyrus of Persia’s decree, which allowed the Jews to return from Babylonian exile and rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Cyrus is speaking to both the Jewish exiles and their non-Jewish neighbors, urging everyone to provide practical and financial support for the journey and the temple project. The verse emphasizes community involvement and generosity toward this significant religious restoration.
The Hebrew behind Ezra 1:4
- The word "sojourneth" (גּוּר, gur) refers to living as a foreigner or temporary resident, highlighting that many Jews were still living outside their homeland at this time.
- "Help" (נָשָׂא, nasa) carries the sense of lifting up or bearing a burden, suggesting active, tangible assistance rather than just well-wishing.
- "Offering" (נְדָבָה, nedavah) means a freewill or voluntary offering, showing that the support for the temple was not to be coerced but given willingly.
- "House" (בַּיִת, bayit) here refers specifically to the temple, underlining the focus on restoring the central place of worship for the Jewish people.
Why Ezra 1:4 matters
- Ezra 1:4 clarifies that the return from exile was not just a private matter for the Jews, but involved the wider community, including non-Jews, in supporting the rebuilding effort.
- The verse reveals that the restoration of the temple was to be funded not only by official decree but also by voluntary generosity, showing the importance of willing participation.
- This instruction connects to the larger theme of Ezra 1, where King Cyrus’s decree sets the stage for the fulfillment of earlier prophecies about the return and restoration of Jerusalem.