King James Version

What Does Ezra 2:69 Mean?

Ezra 2:69 in the King James Version says “They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezra 2:69 · KJV

Context

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
The voluntary offerings: '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.' The phrase 'after their ability' shows proportionate giving based on resources. The amounts—61,000 gold drams and 5,000 pounds of silver—represent enormous wealth. The priests' garments shows attention to worship necessities. This generous giving demonstrated commitment to restoring proper temple worship.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

One gold dram (daric) equaled approximately one-fourth ounce; 61,000 drams equals about 1,100 pounds of gold. Five thousand pounds of silver represents massive wealth. These voluntary offerings funded temple construction and operation. The willingness to give sacrificially after the arduous journey and facing settlement challenges demonstrates genuine devotion. The priests' garments enabled immediate resumption of sacrificial service. Such generosity testified to faith that God would bless covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does giving 'after their ability' establish the biblical principle of proportionate rather than uniform contributions?
  2. What does sacrificial giving immediately upon arrival teach about priorities—worship before personal comfort?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
כְּכֹחָ֗ם1 of 16

“after their ability”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

נָֽתְנוּ֮2 of 16

“They gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְאוֹצַ֣ר3 of 16

“unto the treasure”

H214

a depository

הַמְּלָאכָה֒4 of 16

“of the work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

זָהָ֗ב5 of 16

“of gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

דַּרְכְּמוֹנִים֙6 of 16

“drams”

H1871

a 'drachma', or coin

שֵׁשׁ7 of 16

“threescore”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

רִבֹּ֣אות8 of 16
H7239

a myriad, i.e., indefinitely, large number

אֲלָפִ֑ים9 of 16

“and one thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְכֶ֕סֶף10 of 16

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

מָנִ֖ים11 of 16

“pound”

H4488

properly, a fixed weight or measured amount, i.e., (technically) a maneh or mina

חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת12 of 16

“and five”

H2568

five

אֲלָפִ֑ים13 of 16

“and one thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְכָתְנֹ֥ת14 of 16

“garments”

H3801

a shirt

כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים15 of 16

“priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

מֵאָֽה׃16 of 16

“and one hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

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 2:69 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 2:69 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 8:25-341 Kings 7:511 Chronicles 22:14Nehemiah 7:71-721 Chronicles 26:20-28

Test Your Knowledge

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