King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They also gave money for the stone-workers and carpenters, as well as food, drink and olive oil for the people of Tzidon and Tzor bringing cedar logs from the L'vanon to the sea and on to Yafo, in accordance with the authorization granted by Koresh king of Persia.
Berean Standard Bible:
They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.
American Standard Version:
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and food, and drink, and oil, unto them of Sidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar-trees from Lebanon to the sea, unto Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
They gave{H5414} money{H3701} also unto the masons{H2672}, and to the carpenters{H2796}; and meat{H3978}, and drink{H4960}, and oil{H8081}, unto them of Zidon{H6722}, and to them of Tyre{H6876}, to bring{H935} cedar{H730} trees{H6086} from Lebanon{H3844} to the sea{H3220} of Joppa{H3305}, according to the grant{H7558} that they had of Cyrus{H3566} king{H4428} of Persia{H6539}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Kings 5:6
- Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that [there is] not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
Acts 9:36
- ¶ Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Acts 12:20
- ¶ And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's [country].
Jonah 1:3
- But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 24:12
- And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the LORD, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the LORD, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 24:13
- So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
Acts 10:5
- And now send men to Joppa, and call for [one] Simon, whose surname is Peter:
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Ezra 3:7
Ezra 3:7 is set within the historical context of the Jewish return from exile in Babylon, a period marked by the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem and its Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. This verse specifically highlights the communal and logistical organization involved in the reconstruction process. After King Cyrus of Persia, who had conquered Babylon, issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple (as referenced in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1-4), the returning exiles began the arduous task of restoring the sacred site.
In Ezra 3:7, we see the community coming together to finance and resource the project. They provided funds to the masons and carpenters, who were the skilled laborers essential for the construction work. Additionally, they supplied provisions—meat, drink, and oil—to the Phoenician traders from the cities of Sidon and Tyre. These traders were crucial allies as they were tasked with transporting cedar trees from Lebanon, a region known for its high-quality timber, to Joppa (modern-day Jaffa), a port city on the Mediterranean coast. The cedars of Lebanon were renowned for their durability and were considered fit for the construction of the Temple, hearkening back to the time of Solomon, who had used similar materials for the first Temple (1 Kings 5).
The verse underscores several themes: the importance of community support in achieving a common goal, the role of international trade and diplomacy in ancient construction projects, and the fulfillment of prophetic promises concerning the return of the Jews from exile and the reestablishment of their religious practices. It also reflects the broader biblical narrative of restoration and continuity, as the people of Israel strive to maintain their cultural and religious identity in the face of displacement and foreign rule.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5414
There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַן
Transliteration: nâthan
Pronunciation: naw-than'
Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. - Strong's Number: H3701
There are 343 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֶּסֶף
Transliteration: keçeph
Pronunciation: keh'-sef
Description: from כָּסַף; silver (from its pale color); by implication, money; money, price, silver(-ling). - Strong's Number: H2672
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָצַב
Transliteration: châtsab
Pronunciation: khaw-tsab'
Description: or חָצֵב; a primitive root; to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave; cut, dig, divide, grave, hew (out, -er), made, mason. - Strong's Number: H2796
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָרָשׁ
Transliteration: chârâsh
Pronunciation: khaw-rawsh'
Description: from חָרַשׁ; a fabricator or any material; artificer, ([phrase]) carpenter, craftsman, engraver, maker, [phrase] mason, skilful, ([phrase]) smith, worker, workman, such as wrought. - Strong's Number: H3978
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַאֲכָל
Transliteration: maʼăkâl
Pronunciation: mah-ak-awl'
Description: from אָכַל; an eatable (includ. provender, flesh and fruit); food, fruit, (bake-)meat(-s), victual. - Strong's Number: H4960
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִשְׁתֶּה
Transliteration: mishteh
Pronunciation: mish-teh'
Description: from שָׁתָה; drink, by implication, drinking (the act); also (by implication) a banquet or (generally) feast; banquet, drank, drink, feast((-ed), -ing). - Strong's Number: H8081
There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁמֶן
Transliteration: shemen
Pronunciation: sheh'-men
Description: from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine. - Strong's Number: H6722
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִידֹנִי
Transliteration: Tsîydônîy
Pronunciation: tsee-do-nee'
Description: patrial from צִידוֹן; a Tsidonian or inhabitant of Tsidon; Sidonian, of Sidon, Zidonian. - Strong's Number: H6876
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֹרִי
Transliteration: Tsôrîy
Pronunciation: tso-ree'
Description: patrial from צֹר; a Tsorite or inhabitant of Tsor (i.e. Syrian); (man) of Tyre. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H730
There are 466 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶז
Transliteration: ʼerez
Pronunciation: eh-rez'
Description: from אָרַז; a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots); cedar (tree). - Strong's Number: H6086
There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵץ
Transliteration: ʻêts
Pronunciation: ates
Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. - Strong's Number: H3844
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לְבָנוֹן
Transliteration: Lᵉbânôwn
Pronunciation: leb-aw-nohn'
Description: from לְבַב; (the) white mountain (from its snow); Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine; Lebanon. - Strong's Number: H3220
There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָם
Transliteration: yâm
Pronunciation: yawm
Description: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H3305
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָפוֹ
Transliteration: Yâphôw
Pronunciation: yaw-fo'
Description: xlit Yâphô corrected to Yâphôw; or יָפוֹא; (Ezra 3:7), from יָפָה; beautiful; Japho, a place in Palestine; Japha, Joppa. - Strong's Number: H7558
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רִשְׁיוֹן
Transliteration: rishyôwn
Pronunciation: rish-yone'
Description: from an unused root meaning to have leave; a permit; grant. - Strong's Number: H3566
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כּוֹרֶשׁ
Transliteration: Kôwresh
Pronunciation: ko'-resh
Description: or (Ezra 1:1 (last time),2) כֹּרֶשׁ; from the Persians; Koresh (or Cyrus), the Persian king; Cyrus. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H6539
There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַס
Transliteration: Pâraç
Pronunciation: paw-ras'
Description: of foreign origin; Paras (i.e. Persia), an Eastern country, including its inhabitants; Persia, Persians.