King James Version

What Does Ezra 7:17 Mean?

Ezra 7:17 in the King James Version says “That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.”

Ezra 7:17 · KJV

Context

15

And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,

16

And all the silver and gold that thou canst find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem:

17

That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

18

And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.

19

The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The expenditure guidance—'That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem'—specifies proper use of funds. The word 'speedily' suggests urgency in establishing proper worship. The detailed list (bullocks, rams, lambs, grain and drink offerings) corresponds to Mosaic sacrificial requirements, showing Artaxerxes understood Torah prescriptions. Whether from Jewish advisors or his own study, his knowledge demonstrates divine influence on a pagan mind.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The sacrifices specified correspond to various Mosaic offerings: burnt offerings (Leviticus 1), grain offerings (Leviticus 2), and drink offerings (Numbers 15). The complete list shows comprehensive provision for prescribed worship. Artaxerxes' knowledge of these details suggests significant Jewish influence at court. The phrase 'altar of the house of your God' recognizes temple's unique function as legitimate worship site. Persian funding enabled immediate resumption of full sacrificial calendar.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does pagan king's provision of sacrifice materials demonstrate God's ability to incline hearts toward supporting proper worship?
  2. What does Artaxerxes' knowledge of sacrificial requirements teach about God's influence extending to unexpected places?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כָּל1 of 21

“That”

H3606

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

קֳבֵ֣ל2 of 21
H6903

(adverbially) in front of; usually (with other particles) on account of, so as, since, hence

דְנָ֗ה3 of 21

“with this”

H1836

this

אָסְפַּ֨רְנָא4 of 21

“speedily”

H629

diligently

תִקְנֵ֜א5 of 21

“thou mayest buy”

H7066

to purchase

בְּכַסְפָּ֣א6 of 21

“money”

H3702

silver money

דְנָ֗ה7 of 21

“with this”

H1836

this

תּוֹרִ֤ין׀8 of 21

“bullocks”

H8450

a bull

דִּכְרִין֙9 of 21

“rams”

H1798

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

אִמְּרִ֔ין10 of 21

“lambs”

H563

a lamb

וּמִנְחָֽתְה֖וֹן11 of 21

“with their meat offerings”

H4504

a sacrificial offering

וְנִסְכֵּיה֑וֹן12 of 21

“and their drink offerings”

H5261

a libation

וּתְקָרֵ֣ב13 of 21

“and offer”

H7127

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

הִמּ֔וֹ14 of 21

“them”

H1994

they

עַֽל15 of 21

“upon”

H5922

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

מַדְבְּחָ֔ה16 of 21

“the altar”

H4056

a sacrificial altar

דִּ֛י17 of 21
H1768

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

בֵּ֥ית18 of 21

“of the house”

H1005

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

אֱלָֽהֲכֹ֖ם19 of 21

“of your God”

H426

god

דִּ֥י20 of 21
H1768

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

בִירֽוּשְׁלֶֽם׃21 of 21

“which is in Jerusalem”

H3390

jerusalem

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 7:17 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 7:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 12:5-11Numbers 15:4-13Ezra 6:9-10Matthew 21:12-13Deuteronomy 14:24-26John 2:14

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezra 7 →

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