King James Version

What Does Ezra 2:68 Mean?

Ezra 2:68 in the King James Version says “And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for ...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:”

Ezra 2:68 · KJV

Context

66

Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five;

67

Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.

68

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:

69

They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

70

So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Voluntary Offerings for God's House

This verse captures a remarkable moment of sacrificial generosity: the leaders (roshei ha'avot, "heads of the fathers") giving freely (hitnaddavu—from the root nadav, meaning "to volunteer" or "offer willingly") for the rebuilding of the temple. The phrase "offered freely" emphasizes the spontaneous, cheerful nature of their giving—not compelled by law but motivated by love for God's house.

The location is significant: "when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem." Though the temple lay in ruins after Babylonian destruction (586 BC), the site itself remained holy. Standing on the desolate temple mount, these leaders envisioned restoration and opened their treasuries. Their goal was clear: "to set it up in his place" (lehaamido al-mekono), restoring God's dwelling to its proper location.

This voluntary giving prefigures the New Testament principle that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). These leaders didn't wait for a building program or fundraising campaign; confronted with the ruined house of God, they immediately responded with generosity. Their example demonstrates that material resources become sacred when dedicated to establishing God's presence among His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The First Return from Babylonian Exile

Ezra 2 records the historic return of Jewish exiles under Zerubbabel's leadership in 538 BC, following Cyrus the Great's decree permitting the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple (Ezra 1:1-4). Approximately 50,000 people made the arduous 900-mile journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, arriving to find their ancestral city in ruins after nearly 50 years of desolation.

The temple, Solomon's magnificent structure destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC, had been the center of Jewish worship and national identity. Its destruction symbolized God's judgment and Israel's exile. Now, standing before the ruined site, the returning leaders faced an overwhelming reconstruction task. Their voluntary offerings (detailed in verse 69 as 61,000 drams of gold and 5,000 pounds of silver) demonstrated faith that God would restore what had been lost. This moment parallels other Scripture passages where leaders give first—like David's contributions for the temple (1 Chronicles 29:1-9)—inspiring the people to follow their example of generous worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. What motivated these leaders to give freely when they themselves were returning from exile with limited resources?
  2. How does their immediate generosity upon seeing the ruined temple challenge our own responses to God's work?
  3. Why is voluntary giving more pleasing to God than compulsory contributions?
  4. What does it mean to establish God's house 'in his place' both physically and spiritually in our lives today?
  5. How can church leaders today model sacrificial generosity that inspires others to support God's work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וּמֵֽרָאשֵׁי֙1 of 13

“And some of the chief”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הָֽאָב֔וֹת2 of 13

“of the fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּבוֹאָ֕ם3 of 13

“when they came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְבֵ֣ית4 of 13

“for the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה5 of 13

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 13
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם7 of 13

“which is at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

הִֽתְנַדְּבוּ֙8 of 13

“offered freely”

H5068

to impel; hence, to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously

לְבֵ֣ית9 of 13

“for the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים10 of 13

“of God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לְהַֽעֲמִיד֖וֹ11 of 13

“to set it up”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עַל12 of 13
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מְכוֹנֽוֹ׃13 of 13

“in his place”

H4349

properly, a fixture, i.e., a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 2:68 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 2:68 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 9:7Exodus 36:3Exodus 35:292 Corinthians 8:3Luke 21:1-41 Chronicles 29:5-17

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezra 2 →

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