And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.

EZRA 5:15KJV
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Ezra 5:15 (KJV)

What does Ezra 5:15 mean?

Ezra 5:15 records an instruction to take sacred vessels and return them to the temple in Jerusalem, with a command to rebuild the house of God in its original place. The verse highlights the restoration of worship and the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian exile.

The verse is part of a letter recounting how King Cyrus of Persia ordered the return of temple items that had been taken from Jerusalem. The speaker is relaying the king’s command to Sheshbazzar, a leader of the returning exiles. This moment marks a turning point, as the Persian king not only allows but actively supports the restoration of the Jewish temple and its worship.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 5:15

  • "vessels" (מָאנָא, maʾnāʾ): This word refers to the sacred objects used in temple worship, emphasizing their importance and the act of returning what was taken.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): This term means "house" but here clearly refers to the temple, underlining the temple’s role as the dwelling place of God among the people.
  • "builded" (בְּנָה, benā): This verb means "to build" or "rebuild," pointing to the physical act of reconstruction and the restoration of religious life.

Why Ezra 5:15 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the return of the temple vessels and the rebuilding of the temple were not just allowed but commanded by a foreign king, showing a surprising level of support for the Jewish people’s faith and traditions.
  • It connects the physical restoration of the temple with the spiritual renewal of the community, as the vessels and the building itself were central to worship.
  • The verse helps explain the historical process by which the exiles were able to return and reestablish their religious practices, setting the stage for the events that follow in Ezra.

Where else these words appear

“Take” Hebrew H5376 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 4:19 And I commanded, and search hath been made, and it is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.
  • Daniel 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

“carry” Hebrew H5182 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 6:1 Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon.
  • Ezra 6:5 And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.
  • Daniel 4:23 And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;

“vessels” Hebrew H3984 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 5:14 And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
  • Ezra 7:19 The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
  • Daniel 5:3 Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which was at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them.

“go” Hebrew H236 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 4:23 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.
  • Daniel 2:17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
  • Daniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.