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 6:9KJV
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Ezra 6:9 (KJV)

What does Ezra 6:9 mean?

Ezra 6:9 records an order from King Darius of Persia to supply the Jerusalem priests with what they need for offerings to God. The priests are to receive the animals and other materials they request each day, without interruption.

The order addresses officials in the region around Jerusalem. After directing them to pay the rebuilding costs in verse 8, Darius also provides for the work the priests will carry out at the temple. The priests themselves determine what is needed.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 6:9

  • “appointment” — מֵאמַר (mēmar): This word can mean a saying or command. Here it points to what the Jerusalem priests specify, rather than to a scheduled meeting.
  • “offerings” — עֲלָה (ʿălāh): This word refers to offerings burned on an altar. The KJV’s full phrase “burnt offerings” makes clear the purpose for which the listed animals are supplied.

Why Ezra 6:9 matters

  • The king’s support extends beyond construction. The animals, wheat, salt, wine, and oil are supplies for activity at the completed temple, not building materials.
  • The Jerusalem priests have a say in what is provided. The phrase “according to the appointment of the priests” puts the choice of supplies in their hands.
  • The order calls for a continuing supply rather than a single gift. “Day by day without fail” makes regular delivery part of the command.

Where else these words appear

“of” Hebrew H2818 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

“wheat” Hebrew H2591 · used in 2 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.

“oil” Hebrew H4887 · used in 2 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.

“appointment” Hebrew H3983 · used in 2 verses

  • Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.