King James Version

What Does Ezra 8:33 Mean?

Ezra 8:33 in the King James Version says “Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremot...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;”

Ezra 8:33 · KJV

Context

31

Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.

32

And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days.

33

Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;

34

By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.

35

Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.

Read Ezra 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God—the בַּיּוֹם הָרְבִיעִי (bayyom harevi'i, on the fourth day) references the three-day rest period (v. 32). The וַיִּשָּׁקֵל (vayyishshaqel, was weighed) fulfills Ezra's command in v. 29 for public accounting before Jerusalem leadership. The בְּבֵית אֱלֹהֵינוּ (b'veit Eloheinu, in the house of our God—the temple) location sanctifies the transaction, making it worship offering, not mere asset transfer.

By the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas—עַל־יַד מְרֵמוֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּה הַכֹּהֵן (al-yad Meremot ben-Uriyyah hakohen, upon the hand of Meremoth son of Uriah the priest). מְרֵמוֹת (Meremot, 'heights/elevations') descended from אוּרִיָּה (Uriyyah, 'Yahweh is my light'), establishing priestly pedigree. אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן־פִּינְחָס (El'azar ben-Pinechas, Eleazar son of Phinehas) invokes illustrious ancestry: Eleazar was Aaron's son (Exodus 6:23), and Phinehas was the zealous priest who stopped plague (Numbers 25:7-13). Naming these priests validates the transaction through recognized religious authority.

And with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites—the inclusion of יוֹזָבָד (Yozavad, 'Yahweh has bestowed') and נוֹעַדְיָה (Noadyah, 'Yahweh has met by appointment'), both Levites, ensures comprehensive witness from both priestly and Levitical orders. The careful recording of genealogies (son of X) authenticates each witness's credentials.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Meremoth appears again rebuilding Jerusalem's wall (Nehemiah 3:4, 21), showing he was trusted leader in the restoration community. The involvement of multiple witnesses from different priestly/Levitical families prevented any single clan from controlling the narrative about the treasure's arrival and distribution. This transparency protected against later disputes and ensured the entire religious establishment collectively validated the transaction. The pattern mirrors ancient Near Eastern legal contracts requiring multiple witnesses.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the careful recording of witnesses' names and genealogies teach about accountability in ministry leadership?
  2. How does conducting the formal accounting 'in the house of our God' transform financial transaction into worship?
  3. In what ways should modern church leadership ensure transparency through multi-party witness in financial matters?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 26 words
וּבַיּ֣וֹם1 of 26

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הָֽרְבִיעִ֡י2 of 26

“Now on the fourth”

H7243

fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth

נִשְׁקַ֣ל3 of 26

“weighed”

H8254

to suspend or poise (especially in trade)

הַכֶּסֶף֩4 of 26

“was the silver”

H3701

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

וְהַזָּהָ֨ב5 of 26

“and the gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וְהַכֵּלִ֜ים6 of 26

“and the vessels”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

בְּבֵ֣ית7 of 26

“in the house”

H1004

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

אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ8 of 26

“of our God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

עַ֠ל9 of 26
H5921

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

יַד10 of 26

“by the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מְרֵמ֤וֹת11 of 26

“of Meremoth”

H4822

meremoth, the name of two israelites

בֶן12 of 26

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֽוּרִיָּה֙13 of 26

“of Uriah”

H223

urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן14 of 26

“the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וְעִמּ֖וֹ15 of 26
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֶלְעָזָ֣ר16 of 26

“and with him was Eleazar”

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

בֶן17 of 26

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

פִּֽינְחָ֑ס18 of 26

“of Phinehas”

H6372

pinechas, the name of three israelites

וְעִמָּהֶ֞ם19 of 26
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יֽוֹזָבָ֧ד20 of 26

“and with them was Jozabad”

H3107

jozabad, the name of ten israelites

בֶן21 of 26

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֵשׁ֛וּעַ22 of 26

“of Jeshua”

H3442

jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine

וְנֽוֹעַדְיָ֥ה23 of 26

“and Noadiah”

H5129

noadjah, the name of an israelite, and a false prophetess

בֶן24 of 26

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

בִּנּ֖וּי25 of 26

“of Binnui”

H1131

binnui, an israelite

הַלְוִיִּֽם׃26 of 26

“Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

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 8:33 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 8:33 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 3:4Ezra 8:30Nehemiah 3:21Nehemiah 10:9Nehemiah 8:7Nehemiah 3:24

Test Your Knowledge

Ezra 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzra Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezra 8 with CommentaryAll Ezra ChaptersComplete Ezra QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes