What does Ezra 7:16 mean?

"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:" - Ezra 7:16

Ezra 7:16 - "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:"

Ezra 7:16 - "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:"

Ezra 7:16 (KJV) reads: "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."

This verse is part of the book of Ezra, which recounts the return of the exiled Jews to Jerusalem after their captivity in Babylon. The verse is part of a larger passage in which King Artaxerxes of Persia commissions Ezra, a scribe and a priest, to return to Jerusalem and oversee the administration of the law of God among the Israelites. The king also provides Ezra with resources for the temple and instructs him to use them for the worship of the God of Israel.

The verse showcases the generosity and willingness of the people and the priests to contribute to the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. It speaks to the importance of voluntary giving and generosity in the service of God. The reference to silver and gold indicates the material wealth that the people are willing to offer for the house of their God. This demonstrates their commitment to the restoration of the temple and the re-establishment of their worship practices.

One of the key themes of this verse is the concept of stewardship. The people and the priests are not only contributing their material wealth but also their time, effort, and skills in service to God. They are demonstrating a sense of responsibility and care for the temple, recognizing it as a place of worship and a symbol of their faith and heritage. The verse emphasizes the importance of giving willingly and freely, without compulsion or expectation of reward, as an expression of gratitude and devotion to God.

Another significant theme is the restoration of worship and religious practices. The rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem was a central focus of Ezra's mission, as it represented the renewal of the covenant between God and the Israelites. The voluntary offerings of the people and the priests signify their commitment to reviving their religious traditions and the spiritual life of the community. By contributing to the temple, they are investing in the preservation of their faith and the continuity of their cultural and religious identity.

The verse also carries symbolic significance in its reference to Babylon. The city of Babylon, as the site of the Israelites' exile, represents a place of captivity, oppression, and spiritual alienation. The mention of Babylon in this context serves as a reminder of the Israelites' history of suffering and displacement, and their eventual return to their homeland. It symbolizes the triumph of faith over adversity, and the hope for redemption and renewal.

In a broader theological context, the verse underscores the principle of divine providence. The fact that King Artaxerxes, a non-Israelite ruler, authorizes and supports the restoration of the temple reflects God's intervention in human affairs and the fulfillment of his promises to his people. It conveys the message that God can work through secular authorities and use worldly resources to accomplish his purposes.

In conclusion, Ezra 7:16 captures the spirit of generosity, commitment, and devotion that characterized the Israelites' efforts to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. It conveys the themes of stewardship, restoration of worship, and divine providence, while also carrying symbolic significance in its reference to Babylon. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring faith and resilience of the Israelite community, as well as the grace and faithfulness of God in the midst of their trials and tribulations.

Ezra 7:16 Artwork

Ezra 7:16 - "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:"

Ezra 7:16 - "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:"

Ezra 7:12 - "Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time."

Ezra 7:12 - "Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time."

Ezra 2:16 - "The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight."

Ezra 2:16 - "The children of Ater of Hezekiah, ninety and eight."

Ezra 7:10 - "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."

Ezra 7:10 - "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."

Ezra 7:1 - "Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,"

Ezra 7:1 - "Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,"

Ezra 7:2 - "The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,"

Ezra 7:2 - "The son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub,"

Ezra 7:4 - "The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,"

Ezra 7:4 - "The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki,"

Ezra 7:3 - "The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,"

Ezra 7:3 - "The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth,"

Ezra 2:7 - "The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four."

Ezra 2:7 - "The children of Elam, a thousand two hundred fifty and four."

Ezra 7:11 - "¶ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel."

Ezra 7:11 - "¶ Now this is the copy of the letter that the king Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the LORD, and of his statutes to Israel."

Ezra 8:7 - "And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males."

Ezra 8:7 - "And of the sons of Elam; Jeshaiah the son of Athaliah, and with him seventy males."

Ezra 7:8 - "And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king."

Ezra 7:8 - "And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king."

Ezra 7:5 - "The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:"

Ezra 7:5 - "The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the chief priest:"

Ezra 10:16 - "And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter."

Ezra 10:16 - "And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter."

Ezra 7:7 - "And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king."

Ezra 7:7 - "And there went up some of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king."

Ezra 7:21 - "And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,"

Ezra 7:21 - "And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,"

Ezra 6:16 - "¶ 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,"

Ezra 6:16 - "¶ 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,"

Ezra 7:25 - "And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not."

Ezra 7:25 - "And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not."

Genesis 16:7

Genesis 16:7

Ezra 5:7 - "They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace."

Ezra 5:7 - "They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace."

Ezra 7:6 - "This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him."

Ezra 7:6 - "This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him."

Ezra 4:16 - "We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river."

Ezra 4:16 - "We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river."

Ezra 7:19 - "The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem."

Ezra 7:19 - "The vessels also that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, those deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem."

Ezra 7:18 - "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."

Ezra 7:18 - "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."

Ezra 5:16 - "Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished."

Ezra 5:16 - "Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished."

Ezra 10:7 - "And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;"

Ezra 10:7 - "And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;"

Ezra 6:7 - "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."

Ezra 6:7 - "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."

Ezra 8:16 - "Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding."

Ezra 8:16 - "Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding."

Ezra 7:15 - "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,"

Ezra 7:15 - "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,"

Ezra 7:27 - "¶ Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:"

Ezra 7:27 - "¶ Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:"