King James Version

What Does Ezra 8:35 Mean?

Ezra 8:35 in the King James Version says “Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unt... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezra 8:35 · KJV


Context

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.

36

And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity—בְּנֵי־הַגּוֹלָה הַבָּאִים מֵהַשְּׁבִי (benei-hagolah habbaim mehasshevi, sons of the exile, those coming from the captivity). The גּוֹלָה (exile/deportation) and שְׁבִי (captivity) are parallel terms for Babylonian exile. Calling them בְּנֵי (sons/children) emphasizes generational identity—many in Ezra's caravan were born in Babylon, not original deportees. Their self-identification as 'children of the exile' shows covenant consciousness: despite foreign birth, they understood themselves as displaced Israelites whose true home was Judah.

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—the עֹלוֹת (olot, burnt offerings) were totally consumed on the altar (Leviticus 1), symbolizing complete dedication. The numbers are theologically significant: שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר פָּרִים (sheneim asar parim, twelve bulls) represent the twelve tribes (all Israel united), תִּשְׁעִים וְשִׁשָּׁה אֵילִים (tish'im v'shishah eilim, 96 rams = 12×8), שִׁבְעִים וְשִׁבְעָה כְּבָשִׂים (shiv'im v'shiv'ah kevasim, 77 lambs = 7×11), שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר צְפִירֵי־עִזִּים (sheneim asar tsefirei-izzim, twelve male goats for חַטָּאת, chatat, sin offering). The multiples of twelve emphasize national unity—'all Israel' includes the northern tribes lost to Assyrian exile (722 BC), affirming hope for full restoration. All this was a burnt offering unto the LORD—the comprehensive עֹלָה לַיהוָה (olah l'YHWH) dedicates their arrival, treasure, and future work entirely to Yahweh.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Burnt offerings were the most costly sacrifices—entirely consumed, giving nothing back to the worshiper. The enormous quantity (twelve bulls, 96 rams, 77 lambs) represented substantial wealth, yet the returning exiles offered lavishly after already delivering 24 tons of silver and 3.75 tons of gold. This extravagant worship reflects gratitude for safe journey and commitment to covenant restoration. The twelve-tribe symbolism was poignant: the northern kingdom had been lost for 260+ years, yet the remnant still worshiped as 'all Israel,' maintaining hope for national reunification under Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does identifying as 'children of the exile' despite being born in Babylon teach about maintaining covenant identity across generations?
  2. How does the twelve-tribe symbolism demonstrate hope for full restoration despite centuries of division and loss?
  3. In what ways should worship offerings demonstrate grateful extravagance rather than grudging minimum compliance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
הַ֠בָּאִים1 of 27

which were come out

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֵֽהַשְּׁבִ֨י2 of 27

of the captivity

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

בְנֵֽי3 of 27

Also the children

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

הַגּוֹלָ֜ה4 of 27

of those that had been carried away

H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

הִקְרִ֥יבוּ5 of 27

offered

H7126

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

עוֹלָ֥ה6 of 27

all this was a burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

לֵֽאלֹהֵ֣י7 of 27

unto the 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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙8 of 27

for all Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

פָּרִ֨ים9 of 27

bullocks

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

שְׁנֵ֣ים10 of 27

twelve

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֤ר11 of 27
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

עַל12 of 27
H5921

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

כָּל13 of 27
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙14 of 27

for all Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֵילִ֣ים׀15 of 27

rams

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

תִּשְׁעִ֣ים16 of 27

ninety

H8673

ninety

וְשִׁשָּׁ֗ה17 of 27

and six

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

כְּבָשִׂים֙18 of 27

lambs

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

שִׁבְעִ֣ים19 of 27

seventy

H7657

seventy

וְשִׁבְעָ֔ה20 of 27

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

צְפִירֵ֥י21 of 27

he goats

H6842

a male goat (as prancing)

חַטָּ֖את22 of 27

for a sin offering

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

שְׁנֵ֣ים23 of 27

twelve

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂ֑ר24 of 27
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

הַכֹּ֖ל25 of 27
H3605

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

עוֹלָ֥ה26 of 27

all this was a burnt offering

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

לַֽיהוָֽה׃27 of 27

unto the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of 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 8:35 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 8:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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