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:

EZRA 7:16KJV
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Ezra 7:16 (KJV)

What does Ezra 7:16 mean?

Ezra 7:16 describes how all the silver and gold that can be found throughout the province of Babylon, along with voluntary offerings from the people and priests, are to be given for the house of God in Jerusalem. The verse highlights both collected resources and freewill gifts meant to support the temple.

In this setting, King Artaxerxes is giving Ezra, a Jewish scribe and priest, authority to gather resources for the temple in Jerusalem. The verse shows that the support for rebuilding and maintaining the temple comes not only from official sources but also from the willing generosity of the Jewish people and their priests who are still living in Babylon.

The Aramaic behind Ezra 7:16

  • "all" (כֹּל, kol): This word, used twice, emphasizes the totality—every bit of silver and gold that can be found is included, not just a portion.
  • "find" (שְׁכַח, shekhach): This word means to discover or come across, suggesting that Ezra is to actively seek out available resources, not just accept what is handed over.
  • "offering willingly" (נְדָבָה, nedavah): This phrase refers to gifts given freely and voluntarily, highlighting that the offerings are not forced but come from the heart, which adds a personal and spiritual dimension to the giving.

Why Ezra 7:16 matters

  • Ezra 7:16 clarifies that the temple’s support is a community effort, involving both official resources from the region and personal gifts from individuals.
  • The verse shows the cooperation between the Persian authorities and the Jewish community, reflecting a unique moment of favor and partnership.
  • By mentioning both the people and the priests, the verse underscores that everyone, regardless of status, is invited to participate in the restoration of worship in Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“offering” 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 7:15 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,

“priests” Hebrew H3549 · used in 8 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 6:18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
  • 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.

“province” Hebrew H4083 · used in 11 verses

  • Ezra 4:15 That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed.
  • Daniel 2:48 Then the king made Daniel a great man, and gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief of the governors over all the wise men of Babylon.
  • 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.

“silver” Hebrew H3702 · used in 13 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 7:18 And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
  • Daniel 2:45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.