And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

EZRA 6:17KJV
Know the Bible

Ezra 6:17 (KJV)

What does Ezra 6:17 mean?

Ezra 6:17 describes how, at the dedication of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, the people offered a large number of animals as sacrifices: one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and twelve male goats as a sin offering, one for each tribe of Israel. This verse highlights the scale and significance of the ceremony, showing the people's desire to honor God and represent all of Israel.

The verse is set during the time when the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon and completed rebuilding the temple under Persian rule. The leaders and people are marking this important moment with traditional offerings, following ancient customs. The mention of twelve goats for a sin offering points to their intention to include all twelve tribes, even though many Israelites were still scattered or lost.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 6:17

  • "dedication" (חֲנֻכָּה, ḥănukkāh): This word refers specifically to the act of setting apart or consecrating the temple for sacred use. It emphasizes that this event was not just a celebration but a formal religious ceremony.
  • "for all Israel" (כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל, kol-yisra'el): The phrase underscores that the offerings were made on behalf of the entire nation, not just those present, showing a sense of unity and shared identity.
  • "twelve" (תְּרֵסַר, tərēsar): The use of twelve he-goats, matching the number of Israel’s tribes, is a deliberate symbolic act, reminding readers that the covenant and hope included all descendants of Israel.

Why Ezra 6:17 matters

  • Ezra 6:17 clarifies that the returned exiles saw themselves as representing all of Israel, not just the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who had returned, which is important for understanding their sense of identity and mission.
  • The verse shows the continuity of worship practices from earlier times, connecting this new beginning to Israel’s ancient traditions and laws.
  • By listing the specific numbers and types of animals, Ezra 6:17 reveals the seriousness and care with which the people approached their relationship with God at a pivotal moment in their history.

Where else these words appear

“hundred” Hebrew H3969 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 7:22 Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.
  • Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

“rams” Hebrew H1798 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 6:9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
  • Ezra 7:17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

“lambs” Hebrew H563 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 6:9 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
  • Ezra 7:17 That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

“dedication” Hebrew H2597 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 6:16 And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,
  • Daniel 3:2 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
  • Daniel 3:3 Then the princes, the governors, and captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, were gathered together unto the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up.