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.

EZRA 6:5KJV
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Ezra 6:5 (KJV)

What does Ezra 6:5 mean?

Ezra 6:5 commands that the gold and silver objects taken from God’s temple in Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar should be returned from Babylon to their original place in the temple. The verse insists that every item be restored to the house of God in Jerusalem, not kept in Babylon.

This verse records the Persian king’s order to return sacred vessels that had been looted decades earlier when Jerusalem was conquered. The instruction is directed to Persian officials, making sure the temple’s treasures are not only given back but placed exactly where they belong in the newly rebuilt temple. The focus is on restoring what was lost to its rightful place in God’s service.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 6:5

  • "vessels" (מָאן, mān): This word refers to the sacred items or containers used in temple worship, highlighting that these were not just valuables but objects with religious significance.
  • "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): Used here for the temple, this word emphasizes that the temple is the dwelling place of God, not just a building.
  • "restored" (הֲדוּ, hadu): This term means to return or restore, stressing the idea of putting things back in their original, intended place, not just sending them back in any fashion.
  • "place" (אֲתַר, athar and מְדוֹר, medor): Two different Aramaic words for "place" are used, one for the general location (the temple) and one for the specific spot each item belonged, underlining the care and precision expected in the restoration.

Why Ezra 6:5 matters

  • Ezra 6:5 clarifies that the return of the temple vessels was not just about repatriation of property but about restoring proper worship and respect for the God of Israel.
  • The verse shows the Persian king’s respect for the religious practices of conquered peoples, which was a significant policy shift from the earlier Babylonian approach.
  • This command connects the rebuilding of the temple with the restoration of its sacred objects, showing that true restoration involved both the structure and its holy contents.

Where else these words appear

“brought” Hebrew H2987 · used in 3 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 7:15 And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,

“again” Hebrew H1946 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 5:5 But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
  • Ezra 7:13 I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee.

“also” Hebrew H638 · used in 4 verses

  • Ezra 5:10 We asked their names also, to certify thee, that we might write the names of the men that were the chief of them.
  • 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;
  • Daniel 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

“place” Hebrew H5182 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezra 5:15 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 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.
  • 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;