King James Version

What Does Ezra 5:14 Mean?

Ezra 5:14 in the King James Version says “And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jer... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; governor: or, deputy

Ezra 5:14 · KJV


Context

12

But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.

13

But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God.

14

And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor; governor: or, deputy

15

And said unto him, Take these vessels, go, carry them into the temple that is in Jerusalem, and let the house of God be builded in his place.

16

Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The return of temple vessels provided tangible proof of Cyrus's decree. These vessels—sacred implements Nebuchadnezzar had plundered and placed in Babylonian temples (Daniel 1:2; 5:2-3)—symbolized Israel's humiliation. Their restoration reversed that shame. The movement from "temple of Babylon" to "temple that was in Jerusalem" illustrated God's sovereignty over sacred objects and human empires.

Sheshbazzar's appointment as governor (pechah) gave the restoration official Persian sanction. His Babylonian name (possibly meaning "Shamash protect the father") masked his Davidic lineage as Zerubbabel's predecessor or possibly an alternative name. The vessels' transfer through proper administrative channels—from Persian treasury to appointed governor—established unassailable legal precedent.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Sheshbazzar appears only here and in Ezra 1:8-11 as the initial leader of the return. His relationship to Zerubbabel remains debated: some identify them as the same person (Babylonian vs. Hebrew names), while others see Sheshbazzar as an older relative who died early, with Zerubbabel assuming leadership. The title "governor" indicates Persian-appointed authority over the Judean province, making temple reconstruction an official imperial project.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the return of the temple vessels symbolize complete restoration after judgment, and what does this teach about God's thoroughness in redemption?
  2. Why was establishing proper administrative authorization important for the long-term success of the restoration project?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
וְ֠אַף1 of 34

also

H638

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

מָֽאנַיָּ֣א2 of 34

And the vessels

H3984

a utensil

דִּ֥י3 of 34

of

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

בֵית4 of 34

of the house

H1005

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

אֱלָהָא֮5 of 34

of God

H426

god

דִּ֥י6 of 34

of

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

דַֽהֲבָ֣ה7 of 34

gold

H1722

gold

וְכַסְפָּא֒8 of 34

and silver

H3702

silver money

דִּ֥י9 of 34

of

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר10 of 34

which Nebuchadnezzar

H5020

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

הַנְפֵּ֨ק11 of 34

take

H5312

to issue; causatively, to bring out

מִן12 of 34

out of

H4481

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

הֵֽיכְלָא֙13 of 34

the temple

H1965

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

דִּ֥י14 of 34

of

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

בִֽירוּשְׁלֶ֔ם15 of 34

that was in Jerusalem

H3390

jerusalem

וְהֵיבֵ֣ל16 of 34

and brought

H2987

to bring

הִמּ֜וֹ17 of 34

those

H1994

they

הֵֽיכְלָא֙18 of 34

the temple

H1965

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

דִּ֥י19 of 34

of

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

בָבֶ֔ל20 of 34

of Babylon

H895

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

הַנְפֵּ֨ק21 of 34

take

H5312

to issue; causatively, to bring out

הִמּ֜וֹ22 of 34

those

H1994

they

כּ֣וֹרֶשׁ23 of 34

did Cyrus

H3567

koresh (or cyrus), the persian king

מַלְכָּ֗א24 of 34

the king

H4430

a king

מִן25 of 34

out of

H4481

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

הֵֽיכְלָא֙26 of 34

the temple

H1965

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

דִּ֥י27 of 34

of

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

בָבֶ֔ל28 of 34

of Babylon

H895

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וִיהִ֙יבוּ֙29 of 34

and they were delivered

H3052

to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come

לְשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֣ר30 of 34

was Sheshbazzar

H8340

sheshbatstsar, zerubbabel's persian name

שְׁמֵ֔הּ31 of 34

unto one whose name

H8036

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

דִּ֥י32 of 34

of

H1768

that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of

פֶחָ֖ה33 of 34

governor

H6347

a prefect (of a city or small district)

שָׂמֵֽהּ׃34 of 34

whom he had made

H7761

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)


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 5:14 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 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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