Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.
EZRA 8:35KJVWhat does Ezra 8:35 mean?
Ezra 8:35 describes how the Israelites who returned from exile brought offerings to God, including twelve bulls, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats as a sin offering. These sacrifices were made as burnt offerings to the LORD, showing their dedication and desire for forgiveness after returning from captivity.
Ezra is recounting what the returned exiles did upon arriving back in Jerusalem. The group, led by Ezra, had just completed a long journey from Babylon, and their first act was to worship God with offerings that represented all Israel. The specific numbers and types of animals highlight both the unity of the tribes and the seriousness with which they approached their renewed relationship with God.
The Hebrew behind Ezra 8:35
- "Children" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word refers to the descendants of those who had been exiled, emphasizing continuity and identity among the people returning from captivity.
- "Burnt offerings" (עֹלוֹת, ʿolot): This term means offerings that are completely burned on the altar, symbolizing total dedication to God. The use of this word shows the people's intent to wholly devote themselves to the LORD.
- "Sin offering" (חַטָּאָה, ḥaṭṭā’āh): This is a specific type of sacrifice for atonement, showing that the people recognized their need for forgiveness as they restarted life in their homeland.
- "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, underlining that these offerings were directed specifically to the God of Israel, not just any deity.
Why Ezra 8:35 matters
- Ezra 8:35 clears up that the returning exiles did not see themselves as a new group but as a continuation of all Israel, shown by the twelve bulls for the twelve tribes.
- The verse emphasizes the seriousness with which the people approached their return, making both burnt offerings and sin offerings to seek both dedication and forgiveness.
- This verse connects the return from exile to earlier traditions of worship, showing that the people were re-establishing their covenant relationship with God as soon as they arrived.