King James Version

What Does Ezra 6:5 Mean?

Ezra 6:5 in the King James Version says “And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which ...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God. brought again: Chaldee, go”

Ezra 6:5 · KJV

Context

3

In the first year of Cyrus the king the same Cyrus the king made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits;

4

With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:

5

And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God. brought again: Chaldee, go

6

Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shetharboznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: your: Chaldee, their societies

7

Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place.

Read Ezra 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The command to return 'the vessels... which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem' completes the restoration cycle. These vessels symbolized covenant continuity—their seizure represented defeat, their return vindication. The order that they 'be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem' demonstrates divine faithfulness across generations. What seemed permanently lost God sovereignly preserved and restored in His timing.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The vessels' journey: taken by Nebuchadnezzar (586 BC), placed in Babylonian temples (profaned by Belshazzar, Daniel 5:2-4), preserved through regime change, returned by Cyrus (538 BC), and now officially reaffirmed by Darius (520 BC). This forty-six-year odyssey demonstrates God's sovereignty over sacred objects and His determination that worship be properly constituted. Some vessels dated to Solomon's original temple (nearly 400 years old).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the vessels' preservation and restoration teach about God's faithfulness to seemingly small details of covenant relationship?
  2. How does the command to restore specific vessels demonstrate that God cares about worship's proper form, not just general religious sentiment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְ֠אַף1 of 25

“And also”

H638

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

מָאנֵ֣י2 of 25

“vessels”

H3984

a utensil

בְּבֵ֥ית3 of 25

“of the house”

H1005

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

אֱלָהָֽא׃4 of 25

“of God”

H426

god

דִּ֣י5 of 25
H1768

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

דַֽהֲבָ֣ה6 of 25

“let the golden”

H1722

gold

וְכַסְפָּא֒7 of 25

“and silver”

H3702

silver money

דִּ֣י8 of 25
H1768

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

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר9 of 25

“which Nebuchadnezzar”

H5020

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

הַנְפֵּ֛ק10 of 25

“took forth”

H5312

to issue; causatively, to bring out

מִן11 of 25

“out of”

H4481

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

לְהֵֽיכְלָ֤א12 of 25

“the temple”

H1965

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

דִֽי13 of 25
H1768

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

בִירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙14 of 25

“which is at Jerusalem”

H3390

jerusalem

וְהֵיבֵ֣ל15 of 25

“and brought”

H2987

to bring

לְבָבֶ֑ל16 of 25

“unto Babylon”

H895

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

יַֽהֲתִיב֗וּן17 of 25

“be restored”

H8421

specifically (transitive and ellip.) to reply

וִ֠יהָךְ18 of 25

“and brought again”

H1946

to go; causatively, to bring

לְהֵֽיכְלָ֤א19 of 25

“the temple”

H1965

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

דִי20 of 25
H1768

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

בִירֽוּשְׁלֶם֙21 of 25

“which is at Jerusalem”

H3390

jerusalem

לְאַתְרֵ֔הּ22 of 25

“every one to his place”

H870

a place; (adverb) after

וְתַחֵ֖ת23 of 25

“and place”

H5182

to descend; causatively, to bring away, deposit, depose

בְּבֵ֥ית24 of 25

“of the house”

H1005

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

אֱלָהָֽא׃25 of 25

“of God”

H426

god

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 6:5 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 6:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Daniel 5:2Ezra 5:14Jeremiah 27:162 Chronicles 36:6-72 Kings 25:14-152 Kings 24:13

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezra 6 →

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