Ezra 7:17

That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which [is] in Jerusalem.

That {H3606}{H6903} thou mayest buy {H7066} speedily {H629} with this {H1836} money {H3702} bullocks {H8450}, rams {H1798}, lambs {H563}, with their meat offerings {H4504} and their drink offerings {H5261}, and offer {H7127} them {H1994} upon {H5922} the altar {H4056} of the house {H1005} of your God {H426} which is in Jerusalem {H3390}.

"You are to spend this money carefully on young bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and drink offerings; and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Yerushalayim.

With this money, therefore, you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem.

therefore thou shalt with all diligence buy with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meal-offerings and their drink-offerings, and shalt offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.

Commentary

Context of Ezra 7:17

Ezra 7:17 is a key part of the comprehensive decree issued by King Artaxerxes I of Persia, empowering Ezra, a skilled scribe and priest, to return to Jerusalem and further establish the Mosaic Law among the Jewish exiles who had already returned. This decree, detailed in Ezra 7:12-26, provided not only royal authority but also significant financial resources. The verse specifically outlines how a portion of these funds—derived from the king's treasury and voluntary offerings from Babylon—was to be meticulously used: for the purchase of animals and their accompanying offerings, essential for the proper functioning of the sacrificial system at the rebuilt Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Restoration of Proper Worship: The primary focus of this verse is the re-establishment of the sacrificial rites in Jerusalem. After decades of exile, ensuring the temple could operate with all necessary components for worship according to God's commands was paramount for the spiritual health of the community.
  • Divine Provision and Favor: This passage powerfully demonstrates God's sovereignty, as He moved the heart of a pagan king, Artaxerxes, to generously provide for the needs of His people and the maintenance of His house. It highlights that God supplies the means for His work to be done, even through unexpected channels, a theme echoed in Philippians 4:19.
  • Obedience to God's Law: The specific mention of "bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings" underscores the importance of adherence to the detailed instructions given in the Law of Moses concerning the sacrificial system. Ezra's mission was to ensure that worship was conducted precisely as God commanded.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's term "meat offerings" translates the Hebrew word minchah, which in this context refers not to animal flesh, but to a grain or meal offering. This typically consisted of fine flour, oil, and frankincense, often presented alongside animal sacrifices as part of a complete offering system. "Drink offerings" translates the Hebrew nesek, referring to libations, usually of wine, poured out as an act of worship. Both were integral components of the Levitical system, symbolizing dedication and communion with God.

Practical Application

Ezra 7:17 offers timeless lessons for believers today. While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been perfectly fulfilled by Christ's single, ultimate sacrifice on the cross, the principles of intentional worship and supporting God's work remain vital. We are called to offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" (Romans 12:1), dedicating our time, talents, and financial resources to the advancement of His kingdom. This verse reminds us that God provides for His purposes, and He calls us to be faithful stewards of what He entrusts to us for the building up of His church and the spread of His 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 12:5

    ¶ But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, [even] unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

  • Deuteronomy 12:11

    Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:

  • Numbers 15:4

    Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth [part] of an hin of oil.

  • Numbers 15:13

    All that are born of the country shall do these things after this manner, in offering an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Matthew 21:12

    ¶ And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

  • Matthew 21:13

    And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

  • John 2:14

    And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
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