King James Version

What Does Ezra 6:17 Mean?

Ezra 6:17 in the King James Version says “And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a ...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.”

Ezra 6:17 · KJV

Context

15

And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.

16

And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy, the children of the captivity: Chaldee, the sons of the transportation

17

And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.

18

And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses. as it is: Chaldee, according to the writing

19

And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The dedication offerings—'an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs'—were substantial but modest compared to Solomon's dedication (1 Kings 8:63: 22,000 oxen, 120,000 sheep). The sin offering of 'twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel' maintained all-Israel identity despite only Judah and Benjamin's numerical dominance. This demonstrated covenant continuity—all twelve tribes remained God's people regardless of present circumstances. The inclusive vision maintained hope for future comprehensive restoration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The reduced scale of offerings reflected the returned community's modest circumstances—they were a small, poor population in a devastated land. Yet they offered substantially, demonstrating generosity proportionate to means. The twelve goats for all-Israel sin offering maintained theological vision that the northern tribes, though scattered since 722 BC, remained part of covenant people. This hope influenced later expectations about Messiah gathering all dispersed Israelites (Matthew 19:28).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the modest dedication compared to Solomon's reflect realistic assessment of circumstances without abandoning faith in God's presence?
  2. What does the twelve-tribe sin offering teach about maintaining comprehensive covenant vision despite incomplete present reality?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהַקְרִ֗בוּ1 of 23

“And offered”

H7127

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

לַֽחֲנֻכַּת֮2 of 23

“at the dedication”

H2597

consecration

בֵּית3 of 23

“house”

H1005

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

אֱלָהָ֣א4 of 23

“of God”

H426

god

דְנָה֒5 of 23

“of this”

H1836

this

תּוֹרִ֣ין6 of 23

“bullocks”

H8450

a bull

מְאָ֑ה7 of 23

“an hundred”

H3969

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

דִּכְרִ֣ין8 of 23

“rams”

H1798

properly, a male, i.e., of sheep

מְאָ֑ה9 of 23

“an hundred”

H3969

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִמְּרִ֖ין10 of 23

“lambs”

H563

a lamb

אַרְבַּ֣ע11 of 23

“four”

H703

four (4)

מְאָ֑ה12 of 23

“an hundred”

H3969

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וּצְפִירֵ֨י13 of 23

“he”

H6841

a he-goat

עִזִּ֜ין14 of 23

“goats”

H5796

a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)

לְחַטָּיָ֤א15 of 23

“and for a sin offering”

H2402

an offence, and the penalty or sacrifice for it

עַל16 of 23

“for”

H5922

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

כָּל17 of 23

“all”

H3606

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃18 of 23

“Israel”

H3479

isreal

תְּרֵֽי19 of 23

“twelve”

H8648

two

עֲשַׂ֔ר20 of 23
H6236

ten

לְמִנְיָ֖ן21 of 23

“according to the number”

H4510

enumeration

שִׁבְטֵ֥י22 of 23

“of the tribes”

H7625

a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃23 of 23

“Israel”

H3479

isreal

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 6:17 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 6:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 8:352 Chronicles 29:21-23Revelation 7:4-82 Chronicles 7:52 Chronicles 29:31-351 Kings 8:63-64

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