King James Version

What Does Ezra 3:7 Mean?

Ezra 3:7 in the King James Version says “They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to th...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. carpenters: or, workmen”

Ezra 3:7 · KJV

Context

5

And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.

6

From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. the foundation: Heb. the temple of the LORD was not yet founded

7

They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. carpenters: or, workmen

8

Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

9

Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. Judah: or, Hodaviah,Chap.2.40 together: Heb. as one

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa. This verse deliberately echoes Solomon's temple construction (1 Kings 5:6-11), establishing typological continuity between first and second temples. The Hebrew ḥārāšîm (חָרָשִׁים, craftsmen/masons) and kēseph (כֶּסֶף, silver/money) indicate organized labor requiring substantial resources from the returned community.

The provision of 'meat, drink, and oil' (ma'ăkāl ū-mishteh wā-shemen) to Phoenician workers mirrors Solomon's arrangements, showing that covenant faithfulness includes honoring contracts and just compensation. Sidon and Tyre maintained their reputation for maritime commerce and cedar expertise spanning four centuries from Solomon to Zerubbabel. The reference to Cyrus's 'grant' (reshût, רְשׁוּת, permission/authorization) demonstrates that divine sovereignty works through legal-political channels, not magical interventions.

The route 'from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa' specified the same Mediterranean port Solomon used, emphasizing geographic and typological restoration. Yet the modest scale reveals post-exilic Israel's diminished status—this was temple rebuilding, not kingdom expansion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon had maintained their commercial dominance since Solomon's era (950s BC), demonstrating remarkable continuity in ancient Near Eastern trade networks. Cedar of Lebanon remained the premier building material, prized for durability, fragrance, and resistance to insects. Archaeological evidence shows extensive deforestation of Lebanon's forests by the Persian period, making cedar increasingly expensive.

Joppa (modern Jaffa/Tel Aviv) served as Judah's primary Mediterranean port throughout biblical history. The journey from Phoenicia to Joppa, then overland to Jerusalem (35 miles), required sophisticated logistics. The returned exiles, numbering around 50,000, had to marshal significant resources despite their poverty.

The reference to Cyrus's authorization demonstrates Persian imperial administration. Local governors had authority to facilitate approved projects, and Cyrus's decree gave legal protection against interference. This explains why later opposition (Ezra 4) had to appeal to subsequent Persian kings.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the deliberate echo of Solomon's temple construction inform our understanding of God's faithfulness across generations of covenant history?
  2. What does the community's costly investment in temple materials teach about worship priorities when resources are limited?
  3. How should believers balance humble circumstances with faithful obedience to God's calling?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּ֨תְּנוּ1 of 22

“They gave”

H5414

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

כֶ֔סֶף2 of 22

“money”

H3701

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

לַחֹֽצְבִ֖ים3 of 22

“also unto the masons”

H2672

to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

וְלֶחָֽרָשִׁ֑ים4 of 22

“and to the carpenters”

H2796

a fabricator or any material

וּמַֽאֲכָ֨ל5 of 22

“and meat”

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

וּמִשְׁתֶּ֜ה6 of 22

“and drink”

H4960

drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast

וָשֶׁ֗מֶן7 of 22

“and oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

לַצִּֽדֹנִים֙8 of 22

“unto them of Zidon”

H6722

a tsidonian or inhabitant of tsidon

וְלַצֹּרִ֔ים9 of 22

“and to them of Tyre”

H6876

a tsorite or inhabitant of tsor (i.e., syrian)

לְהָבִיא֩10 of 22

“to bring”

H935

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

עֲצֵ֨י11 of 22

“trees”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

אֲרָזִ֤ים12 of 22

“cedar”

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

מִן13 of 22
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַלְּבָנוֹן֙14 of 22

“from Lebanon”

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

אֶל15 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יָ֣ם16 of 22

“to the sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

יָפ֔וֹא17 of 22

“of Joppa”

H3305

japho, a place in palestine

כְּרִשְׁי֛וֹן18 of 22

“according to the grant”

H7558

a permit

כּ֥וֹרֶשׁ19 of 22

“that they had of Cyrus”

H3566

koresh (or cyrus), the persian king

מֶֽלֶךְ20 of 22

“king”

H4428

a king

פָּרַ֖ס21 of 22

“of Persia”

H6539

paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants

עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃22 of 22
H5921

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

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 3:7 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 3:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 5:6Acts 12:20Acts 9:36Ezekiel 27:17Acts 10:5-62 Kings 22:5-6

Places in This Verse

Great SeaBody of Water · Modern: Mediterranean Sea · 31.80°N, 34.17°E36 verses across 14 books
JoppaSettlement · Modern: Jaffa · 32.05°N, 34.75°E14 verses across 5 books
LebanonRegion · Modern: Jezzine · 33.54°N, 35.58°E57 verses across 16 books
PersiaRegion · Modern: Tell Hagmatana · 34.81°N, 48.52°E27 verses across 5 books
SidonSettlement · Modern: Sandikli archaeological site in Sidon · 33.56°N, 35.37°E37 verses across 16 books
TyreSettlement · Modern: Tyre · 33.27°N, 35.20°E64 verses across 19 books
View all places in Ezra 3 →

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