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 8:35KJV
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Ezra 8:35 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“goats” Hebrew H6842 · used in 5 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 29:21 And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them on the altar of the LORD.
  • Daniel 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
  • Daniel 8:8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

“ninety” Hebrew H8673 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 5:9 And Enos lived ninety years, and begat Cainan:
  • 1 Samuel 4:15 Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see.
  • Nehemiah 7:25 The children of Gibeon, ninety and five.

“away” Hebrew H1473 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
  • Ezra 10:16 And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

“captivity” Hebrew H7628 · used in 47 verses

  • Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle.
  • Ezra 9:7 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
  • Jeremiah 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid.