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,

EZRA 7:15KJV
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Ezra 7:15 (KJV)

What does Ezra 7:15 mean?

Ezra 7:15 describes how silver and gold, which the king of Persia and his advisors have willingly given, are to be carried to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem. The verse highlights that these gifts are voluntary offerings meant specifically for the God worshiped in Jerusalem.

Ezra is being given authority by the Persian king to transport valuable offerings from the royal treasury and counselors to Jerusalem. This is part of a larger decree allowing Ezra, a priest and scribe, to return to Jerusalem and support the worship and temple service there. The verse shows the Persian king’s respect for the God of Israel and his support for the Jewish people’s religious practices.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 7:15

  • "carry" (נְבַל, neval): This word means to transport or bring. It emphasizes Ezra’s responsibility to physically bring the offerings to Jerusalem, not just oversee them from afar.
  • "offered" (הַקְרִיב, haq’riv): This word is often used for presenting gifts or sacrifices. Here, it shows that the king and his counselors are not just sending money—they are making a respectful, voluntary offering to Israel’s God.
  • "habitation" (מְדָרוֹשׁ, medarosh): This word refers to a dwelling place. In this context, it highlights the belief that God’s special presence is in Jerusalem, making the city central to Jewish worship.

Why Ezra 7:15 matters

  • Ezra 7:15 clarifies that the Persian king’s support for the Jewish people included not just permission but also generous material backing for their worship.
  • The verse shows that the offerings were given freely, not under compulsion, which underlines the goodwill and respect from the Persian authorities toward the God of Israel.
  • By specifying that God’s habitation is in Jerusalem, the verse reinforces the central role of the temple and city in Jewish faith and identity during the return from exile.

Where else these words appear

“carry” 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 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.

“counsellors” Hebrew H3272 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezra 7:14 Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
  • Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

“offered” Hebrew H5069 · used in 3 verses

  • 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.
  • Ezra 7:16 And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:

“Israel” Hebrew H3479 · used in 7 verses

  • Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
  • Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
  • Ezra 6:17 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.