Ezra 3:7 (KJV)

What does Ezra 3:7 mean?

Ezra 3:7 describes how the returning Israelites paid skilled workers—masons and carpenters—with money, and provided food, drink, and oil to people from Zidon and Tyre, so that they would bring cedar wood from Lebanon to Joppa, as allowed by the Persian king Cyrus. This verse shows the practical steps taken to gather building materials for the temple’s reconstruction.

The verse is set after the Israelites have returned from exile in Babylon. The leaders are organizing the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple, and they arrange for supplies and skilled labor, much like Solomon did centuries earlier. The mention of Zidon, Tyre, and Lebanon highlights the use of famous cedar wood from the north, and the cooperation with neighboring peoples under the permission ("grant") of Cyrus, king of Persia.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 3:7

• gave (נָתַן, natan): This word means “to give” or “to provide.” It emphasizes the active role of the Israelites in supplying both payment and provisions to workers and traders.
• cedar (אֶרֶז, erez): Cedar wood from Lebanon was prized for its quality and durability. Its mention underlines the importance and care given to the temple’s construction.
• grant (רְשָׁיוֹן, r’shayon): This word refers to official permission or authorization. The rebuilding effort is not just a local project but is carried out with the legal approval of Cyrus, king of Persia.

Why Ezra 3:7 matters

• Ezra 3:7 clarifies that the rebuilding of the temple was a well-organized, international effort, involving not just local workers but also skilled labor and resources from neighboring regions.
• The verse highlights the continuity with Israel’s past, echoing the way Solomon sourced cedar from Lebanon for the first temple, showing respect for tradition and quality.
• By mentioning the grant from Cyrus, the verse connects the rebuilding to God’s providence working through foreign rulers, setting the tone for the rest of Ezra’s account.