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 7:16KJVWhat 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.