And weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering of the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his lords, and all Israel there present, had offered:

EZRA 8:25KJV
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Ezra 8:25 (KJV)

What does Ezra 8:25 mean?

Ezra 8:25 describes how Ezra carefully weighed out the silver, gold, and valuable vessels that were being offered for the house of God, noting that these offerings had been given by the king, his advisors, his officials, and the Israelites present. The verse highlights the importance and accountability of handling these sacred gifts as they prepared to return to Jerusalem.

Ezra is the speaker here, organizing a group of exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem. Before the journey, Ezra entrusts the precious offerings to responsible men, making sure everything is measured and recorded. This careful process shows both respect for the gifts and a desire for transparency in managing resources dedicated to God’s temple.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 8:25

  • "Weighed" (שָׁקַל, shaqal — H8254): This word means to measure by weight, showing that Ezra did not just hand over the treasures casually but took care to record exactly what was given. This detail emphasizes accountability and trustworthiness.
  • "Offering" (תְּרוּמָה, terumah — H8641): This term refers to a contribution or offering set apart for a sacred purpose. Its use here underlines that these items were not just valuable objects but gifts dedicated specifically to God’s house.
  • "House" (בַּיִת, bayith — H1004) and "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim — H430): Together, these words refer to the temple in Jerusalem, clarifying that the offerings were for the worship and service of Israel’s God, not for personal or secular use.

Why Ezra 8:25 matters

  • The verse clears up any idea that the journey back to Jerusalem was haphazard or careless with resources; instead, it shows a high level of responsibility and integrity.
  • By naming the king, his counselors, and all Israel present as contributors, the verse highlights the broad support for rebuilding the temple, involving both Persian authorities and the Jewish community.
  • This careful record-keeping connects to the larger theme in Ezra of restoring proper worship and order in Jerusalem, showing that spiritual renewal included practical honesty and stewardship.

Where else these words appear

“weighed” Hebrew H8254 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.
  • Ezra 8:29 Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:18 Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers?

“offering” Hebrew H8641 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 25:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
  • Numbers 15:19 Then it shall be, that, when ye eat of the bread of the land, ye shall offer up an heave offering unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 10:37 And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.

“counsellors” Hebrew H3289 · used in 74 verses

  • Exodus 18:19 Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
  • 2 Chronicles 22:4 Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD like the house of Ahab: for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.
  • Isaiah 3:3 The captain of fifty, and the honourable man, and the counsellor, and the cunning artificer, and the eloquent orator.