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,

And to carry {H2987} the silver {H3702} and gold {H1722}, which the king {H4430} and his counsellors {H3272} have freely offered {H5069} unto the God {H426} of Israel {H3479}, whose {H1768} habitation {H4907} is in Jerusalem {H3390},

You are also to bring with you the silver and gold which the king and his counselors have voluntarily offered to the God of Isra'el, whose dwelling is in Yerushalayim;

Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem,

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,

Commentary

Context

Ezra 7:15 is part of King Artaxerxes' decree, allowing Ezra, a skilled scribe and priest, to return to Jerusalem from Babylon. This decree, detailed in Ezra chapter 7, granted Ezra significant authority and resources to establish the Law of God and beautify the temple. This verse specifically highlights the king's and his counsellors' personal contributions of precious metals for the worship of the God of Israel. This occurred during the post-exilic period, after the initial return under Zerubbabel and the completion of the second temple, signifying a continued divine favor on the Jewish community in their homeland.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence: This verse powerfully demonstrates God's sovereignty over earthly rulers. Even a pagan king like Artaxerxes is moved to contribute significantly to the work of the God of Israel, showing how God orchestrates events for His people's good and the advancement of His kingdom. This echoes the sentiment found in Proverbs 21:1.
  • Generosity and Support for Worship: The king and his counsellors "freely offered" silver and gold, emphasizing their voluntary and abundant contribution. This generosity provided vital resources for the temple services and the spiritual restoration of Jerusalem, underscoring the importance of supporting God's work with material means.
  • The Significance of Jerusalem: The phrase "whose habitation is in Jerusalem" reaffirms Jerusalem's unique status as the chosen place for God's dwelling among His people, specifically referring to the rebuilt temple. This underlines the city's central role in Israel's worship and identity.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "freely offered" comes from the Hebrew root nadab (Χ Χ“Χ‘), which implies a willing, spontaneous, and generous contribution, often beyond what is required. This emphasizes that King Artaxerxes' gifts were not coerced but were an act of voluntary beneficence, possibly influenced by Ezra's wisdom or divine intervention. The term "habitation" (ΧžΧ©Χ›ΧŸ - mishkan or Χ‘Χ™Χͺ - bayith) refers to a dwelling place, here specifically the Temple, signifying God's presence among His people, as seen in 1 Kings 8:13.

Practical Application

Ezra 7:15 offers several timeless lessons:

  1. It reminds us that God can use anyone, even those outside the faith, to fulfill His purposes. We should remain open to unexpected sources of blessing and support for God's kingdom work.
  2. The verse encourages generous giving towards spiritual endeavors. Just as the king provided for the temple, believers are called to support the work of the church and the spread of the Gospel.
  3. It reinforces the importance of places of worship and spiritual instruction. The materials were for the temple, a center for the Law and worship, highlighting the value of institutions dedicated to God's truth.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 6:2

    But I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever.

  • Psalms 135:21

    Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD.

  • Ezra 6:12

    And the God that hath caused his name to dwell there destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter [and] to destroy this house of God which [is] at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with speed.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:6

    But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

  • Ezra 6:8

    Moreover I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God: that of the king's goods, [even] of the tribute beyond the river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.

  • Ezra 6:10

    That they may offer sacrifices of sweet savours unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons.

  • Ezra 6:4

    [With] three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expenses be given out of the king's house:
← Back