TRV
Translation
King James Version
And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
KJV (with Strong's)
And offered H7127 at the dedication H2597 of this H1836 house H1005 of God H426 an hundred H3969 bullocks H8450, two hundred H3969 rams H1798, four H703 hundred H3969 lambs H563; and for a sin offering H2402 H2409 for H5922 all H3606 Israel H3479, twelve H8648 H6236 he H6841 goats H5796, according to the number H4510 of the tribes H7625 of Israel H3479.
Complete Jewish Bible
At the dedication of this house of God they offered 100 young bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and, as a sin offering for all Isra'el, twelve male goats, corresponding to the number of the tribes of Isra'el.
Berean Standard Bible
For the dedication of the house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and a sin offering for all Israel of twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel.
American Standard Version
And they offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
World English Bible Messianic
They offered at the dedication of this house of God one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And offred at the dedication of this house of God an hundreth bullockes, two hundreth rams, foure hundreth lambes, and twelue goates, for the sinne of all Israel, according to the nomber of the tribes of Israel.
Young's Literal Translation
and have brought near for the dedication of this house of God, bullocks a hundred, rams two hundred, lambs four hundred; and young he-goats for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve, according to the number of the tribes of Israel;
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In the KJVVerse 12,169 of 31,102
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Commentary on Ezra 6 verses 13–22
13 ¶ Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.
14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
15 And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king.
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,
17 And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
18 And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
19 And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
20 For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.
21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,
22 And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Here we have, I. The Jews' enemies made their friends. When they received this order from the king they came with as much haste to encourage and assist the work as their predecessors had done to put a stop to it, Ezr 4:23. What the king ordered they did, and, because they would not be thought to do it with reluctance, they did it speedily, Ezr 6:13. The king's moderation made them, contrary to their own inclination, moderate too.
II. The building of the temple carried on, and finished in a little time, Ezr 6:14, Ezr 6:15. Now the elders of the Jews built with cheerfulness. For aught I know, the elders themselves laboured at it with their own hands; and, if they did, it was no disparagement to their eldership, but an encouragement to the other workmen. 1. They found themselves bound to it by the commandment of the God of Israel, who had given them power that they might use it in his service. 2. They found themselves shamed into it by the commandment of the heathen kings, Cyrus formerly, Darius now, and Artaxerxes some time after. Can the elders of the Jews be remiss in this good work when these foreign princes appear so warm in it? Shall native Israelites grudge their pains and care about this building when strangers grudge not to be at the expense of it? 3. They found themselves encouraged in it by the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah, who, it is likely, represented to them (as bishop Patrick suggests) the wonderful goodness of God in inclining the heart of the king of Persia to favour them thus. And now the work went on so prosperously that, in four hears' time, it was brought to perfection. As for God, his work is perfect. The gospel church, that spiritual temple, is long in the building, but it will be finished at last, when the mystical body is completed. Every believer is a living temple, building up himself in his most holy faith. Much opposition is given to this work by Satan and our own corruptions. We trifle, and proceed in it with many stops and pauses; but he that has begun the good work will see it performed, and will bring forth judgment unto victory. Spirits of just men will be made perfect.
III. The dedication of the temple. When it was built, being designed only for sacred uses, they showed by an example how it should be used, which (says bishop Patrick) is the proper sense of the word dedicate. They entered upon it with solemnity and probably with a public declaration of the separating of it from common uses and the surrender of it to the honour of God, to be employed in his worship. 1. The persons employed in this service were not only the priests and Levites who officiated, but the children of Israel, some of each of the twelve tribes, though Judah and Benjamin were the chief, and the rest of the children of the captivity or transportation, which intimates that there were many besides the children of Israel, of other nations, who transported themselves with them, and became proselytes to their religion, unless we read it, even the remnant of the children of the captivity, and then, we may suppose, notice is hereby taken of their mean and afflicted condition, because the consideration of that helped to make them devout and serious in this and other religious exercises. A sad change! The children of Israel have become children of the captivity, and there appears but a remnant of them, according to that prediction (Isa 7:3), Shear-jashub - The remnant shall return. 2. The sacrifices that were offered upon this occasion were bullocks, rams, and lambs (Ezr 6:17), for burnt-offerings and peace-offerings; not to be compared, in number, with what had been offered at the dedication of Solomon's temple, but, being according to their present ability, they were accepted, for, after a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty, abounded to the riches of their liberality, Co2 8:2. These hundreds were more to them than Solomon's thousands were to him. But, besides these, they offered twelve he-goats for sin-offerings, one for every tribe, to make atonement for their sins, which they looked upon as necessary in order to the acceptance of their services. Thus, by getting iniquity taken away, they would free themselves from that which had been the sting of their late troubles, and which, if not removed, would be a worm at the root of their present comforts. 3. This service was performed with joy. They were all glad to see the temple built and the concerns of it in so good a posture. Let us learn to welcome holy ordinances with joy and attend on them with pleasure. Let us serve the Lord with gladness. Whatever we dedicate to God, let it be done with joy that he will please to accept of it. 4. When they dedicated the house they settled the household. Small comfort could they have in the temple without the temple service, and therefore they set the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their courses, Ezr 6:18. Having set up the worship of God in this dedication, they took care to keep it up, and made the book of Moses their rule, to which they had an eye in this establishment. Though the temple service could not now be performed with so much pomp and plenty as formerly, because of their poverty, yet perhaps it was performed with as much purity and close adherence to the divine institution as ever, which was the true glory of it. No beauty like the beauty of holiness.
IV. The celebration of the passover in the newly-erected temple. Now that they were newly delivered out of their bondage in Babylon it was seasonable to commemorate their deliverance out of their bondage in Egypt. Fresh mercies should put us in mind of former mercies. We may suppose that they had kept the passover, after a sort, every year since their return, for they had an altar and a tabernacle. But they were liable to frequent disturbances from their enemies, were straitened for room, and had not conveniences about them, so that they could not do it with due solemnity till the temple was built; and now they made a joyful festival of it, it falling out in the next month after the temple was finished and dedicated, Ezr 6:19. Notice is here taken, 1. Of the purity of the priests and Levites that killed the passover, Ezr 6:20. In Hezekiah's time the priests were many of them under blame for not purifying themselves. But now it is observed, to their praise, that they were purified together, as one man (so the word is); they were unanimous both in their resolutions and in their endeavours to make and keep themselves ceremonially clean for this solemnity; they joined together in their preparations, that they might help one another, so that all of them were pure, to a man. The purity of ministers adds much to the beauty of their ministrations; so does their unity. 2. Of the proselytes that communicated with them in this ordinance: All such as had separated themselves unto them, had left their country and the superstitions of it and cast in their lot with the Israel of God, and had turned from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, both their idolatries and immoralities, to seek the Lord God of Israel as their God, did eat the passover. See how the proselytes, the converts, are described. They separated themselves from the filthiness of sin and fellowship with sinners, joined themselves with the Israel of God in conformity and communion, and set themselves to seek the God of Israel; and those that do so in sincerity, though strangers and foreigners, are welcome to eat of the gospel feast, as fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. 3. Of the great pleasure and satisfaction wherewith they kept the feast of unleavened bread, Ezr 6:22. The Lord had made them joyful, had given them both cause to rejoice and hearts to rejoice. It was now about twenty years since the foundation of this temple was laid, and we may suppose the old men that then wept at the remembrance of the first temple were most of them dead by this time, so that now there were no tears mingled with their joys. Those that are, upon good grounds, joyful, have therefore reason to be thankful, because it is God that makes them to rejoice. He is the fountain whence all the streams of our joy flow. God has promised to all those who take hold of his covenant that he will make them joyful in his house of prayer. The particular occasion they had for joy at this time was that God had turned the heart of the emperor to them, to strengthen their hands. If those that have been, or who we feared would have been, against us, prove to be for us, we may rejoice in it as a token for good, that our ways please the Lord (Pro 16:7), and he must have the glory of it.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 13–22. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Ezra 6:17 meticulously records the extensive sacrificial offerings made during the dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, a pivotal event signifying the spiritual and national restoration of the Jewish exiles following their return from Babylonian captivity. This momentous occasion saw hundreds of bullocks, rams, and lambs presented as burnt offerings, expressing profound gratitude and devotion to God. Crucially, the verse also specifies the offering of twelve he-goats as a sin offering "for all Israel, according to the number of the tribes of Israel," highlighting a deep-seated desire for national atonement and renewed unity before the Lord. This act of corporate worship served as the culmination of years of arduous labor, persistent opposition, and unwavering divine faithfulness.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Ezra 6:17 serves as the climactic moment in the narrative of the Second Temple's completion and dedication. It immediately follows the joyful declaration of the Temple's completion in Ezra 6:15 and sets the stage for the formal dedication ceremony detailed in Ezra 6:16. The sacrificial acts described in this verse are central to the re-establishment of proper worship, covenant fidelity, and national identity. The narrative continues with the celebration of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Ezra 6:19-22, further emphasizing the return to Mosaic Law and communal worship. This entire sequence brings to fruition the initial decree of King Cyrus in Ezra 1:1-4 and the persistent efforts of leaders like Zerubbabel and Jeshua, despite significant opposition documented throughout Ezra chapter 4 and Ezra chapter 5.
Historical & Cultural Context: The dedication of the Second Temple in 516 BC was an event of immense historical and spiritual significance for the returned Jewish exiles. It took place approximately 70 years after the destruction of Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, thereby fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy regarding the duration of the exile (Jeremiah 29:10). The initial wave of exiles returned to Jerusalem around 538 BC under the decree of Persian King Cyrus, commencing the rebuilding efforts. However, the project faced prolonged delays due to local opposition and imperial decrees, only resuming with renewed vigor through the prophetic ministries of Haggai and Zechariah during the reign of Darius I (Haggai 1:1-11 and Zechariah 4:6-10). The sacrifices detailed in Ezra 6:17 were integral to Israelite worship, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law. The sheer volume of animals offered signifies the national scope of the event, the people's profound gratitude for God's faithfulness in allowing their return and the Temple's completion, and their earnest desire for corporate atonement and purification for the entire nation.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. The theme of Restoration and Return is paramount, as the rebuilt Temple symbolizes God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to bring His people back to their land and re-establish their spiritual life and identity. The act of Worship and Sacrifice is vividly highlighted by the sheer volume and variety of offerings, underscoring the centrality of proper worship to Israel's identity and their renewed commitment to God. The inclusion of "twelve he goats" for a sin offering "for all Israel" powerfully emphasizes the theme of National Unity and Atonement, signifying a collective desire for reconciliation and purification for the entire nation, even those who had not yet returned from exile. This corporate act of repentance and dedication also speaks to Covenant Renewal and Obedience, as the people affirm their commitment to the Mosaic Law and their desire to walk in God's ways after a period of divine chastisement and dispersion. Ultimately, the verse stands as a profound testimony to God's Enduring Faithfulness in preserving His people and fulfilling His redemptive purposes, even through periods of judgment and exile.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Ezra 6:17 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Symbolism is prominently featured, particularly in the numbers and types of animals offered. The vast quantities of bullocks, rams, and lambs symbolize the overwhelming gratitude, devotion, and collective thanksgiving of the people. More significantly, the "twelve he goats" powerfully symbolize the unity of "all Israel," representing the twelve tribes. This numerical symbolism underscores the national scope of the atonement and the enduring identity of God's people, even in their fragmented state. The "house of God" itself is a central symbol of God's presence among His people and the restoration of proper worship. Furthermore, the text employs Emphasis through explicit repetition and specification. The phrase "for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel" is a deliberate and emphatic statement, highlighting the critical importance of national atonement and the collective identity of God's people. There is also a subtle Contrast between the general burnt offerings, which signify devotion and thanksgiving, and the specific sin offering, which points to the crucial need for expiation and purification from sin, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to worship and reconciliation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 6:17 stands as a powerful testament to God's enduring faithfulness and His people's renewed commitment to Him. The dedication of the Second Temple, marked by such extensive sacrifices, signifies not merely the completion of a building but the restoration of God's dwelling place among His people and the re-establishment of the covenant relationship. The lavish burnt offerings reflect a deep, national outpouring of gratitude for God's mercy in bringing them back from exile and enabling the rebuilding. More profoundly, the "sin offering for all Israel" underscores the theological reality of corporate sin and the ongoing need for atonement. It reveals a people acutely aware of their past failures and earnestly seeking God's forgiveness, not just individually but as a unified nation, symbolized by the twelve tribes. This act of worship was a profound expression of repentance, dedication, and hope, looking forward to a renewed era of obedience and divine blessing and demonstrating the enduring principles of covenant and atonement in God's dealings with His people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The dedication of the Second Temple in Ezra 6:17 offers profound lessons for believers today. Just as the Israelites celebrated the physical restoration of their place of worship, we are called to celebrate and acknowledge God's faithfulness in our own lives, recognizing His hand in every spiritual breakthrough, every answered prayer, and every instance of His redemptive work. This verse also challenges us to consider the concept of "dedication" in our contemporary context. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, we are called to dedicate our lives, our resources, our talents, and our very selves as living sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1). Our bodies are now considered temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20), and the church, the collective body of believers, is God's spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). The emphasis on the "sin offering for all Israel" reminds us of the persistent reality of sin and our ongoing need for atonement and reconciliation with God, both personally and corporately. It calls us to humility, repentance, and a recognition of our collective responsibility before God, fostering unity and a shared pursuit of holiness within the body of Christ, and reminding us that true worship involves both thanksgiving and a recognition of our need for grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were so many animals offered at the dedication?
Answer: The immense number of animals offered—hundreds of bullocks, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings—underscores the profound national significance of the Temple's dedication. It was a moment of immense joy, gratitude, and relief for the Jewish exiles who had returned to rebuild their spiritual center after decades of exile and opposition. Such lavish offerings were a tangible expression of their deep devotion, thanksgiving, and renewed commitment to God, signifying a lavish outpouring of worship commensurate with the magnitude of God's faithfulness in bringing them back and enabling the Temple's completion. It also adhered to the Mosaic Law's provisions for significant national events and offerings, demonstrating a desire to honor God with the best and in abundance.
What is the specific significance of the "twelve he goats" for a sin offering?
Answer: The offering of "twelve he goats" as a sin offering is highly symbolic and significant. Each goat represented one of the twelve tribes of Israel, even though only a remnant primarily from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin had returned from exile. This act symbolized a collective desire for purification and reconciliation for the entire nation of Israel, acknowledging their shared heritage and the corporate nature of their sin that led to the exile. It was a plea for atonement on behalf of all God's people, wherever they might be, emphasizing the unity and collective identity of Israel before God, despite their current dispersion. This highlights the enduring covenant relationship God maintained with all His people, not just the immediate returnees.
Was this the same Temple that Solomon built?
Answer: No, this was not the same Temple that Solomon built. Solomon's Temple, often referred to as the First Temple, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The Temple dedicated in Ezra 6:17 is known as the Second Temple. While it occupied the same sacred site in Jerusalem, it was a new structure, rebuilt by the returned exiles under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and later expanded significantly by Herod the Great. Though it lacked the grandeur and the Ark of the Covenant present in Solomon's Temple, its completion and dedication were equally momentous, signifying the restoration of God's dwelling place among His people after the Babylonian exile and a renewed hope for the nation.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 6:17, with its profound emphasis on dedication and sacrifice for atonement, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The vast number of burnt offerings, symbolizing complete devotion and thanksgiving, foreshadows the perfect and singular offering of Christ, who fully devoted Himself to the Father's will, offering His life as a fragrant aroma to God (Hebrews 10:5-7 and Ephesians 5:2). More profoundly, the "sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel," points directly to Jesus as the definitive and all-sufficient Lamb of God. While the Old Testament sacrifices, including those at the Temple dedication, could only temporarily cover sins and had to be repeated, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was a once-for-all, perfect atonement, not just for Israel but for the sins of the whole world (John 1:29 and Hebrews 9:11-14). He is the ultimate "he goat" who bore the sin of humanity, making reconciliation possible. Furthermore, the dedication of the physical "house of God" in Ezra anticipates Christ Himself as the true Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity, whose body was destroyed and raised in three days (John 2:19-21). In Christ, believers are incorporated into a new spiritual temple, becoming living stones in a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5) and recognizing that their own bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Thus, the dedication in Ezra points forward to the greater reality of God's presence in Christ and His people, fulfilling the longing for a perfect dwelling and a complete atonement.