Ezra 8:26

I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, [and] of gold an hundred talents;

I even weighed {H8254} unto their hand {H3027} six {H8337} hundred {H3967} and fifty {H2572} talents {H3603} of silver {H3701}, and silver {H3701} vessels {H3627} an hundred {H3967} talents {H3603}, and of gold {H2091} an hundred {H3967} talents {H3603};

I weighed out and handed over to them twenty-one-and-a-half tons of silver, three-and-a-third tons of silver articles, three-and-a-third tons of gold,

I weighed out into their hands 650 talents of silver, articles of silver weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold,

I weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels a hundred talents; of gold a hundred talents;

Commentary

Ezra 8:26 details the immense wealth Ezra meticulously entrusted to the priests and Levites for transport from Babylon to Jerusalem. This verse is part of the narrative describing the second major return of Jewish exiles to Judah, led by Ezra, with a specific mission to restore the Temple services and the Law of God.

Historical and Cultural Context

Following the initial return under Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the Temple (Ezra 6:15), Ezra, a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, led another significant group of exiles back to Jerusalem around 458 BC. This journey was not just about people; it was about bringing substantial offerings from King Artaxerxes, his counselors, and the Jewish people still in Babylon, intended for the Temple and its service. The route was long and dangerous, fraught with bandits and potential enemies. Ezra's decision, as mentioned in Ezra 8:22, not to request a military escort from the king, relying instead on God's protective hand, made the careful accounting of this treasure even more critical.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Stewardship and Accountability: Ezra's act of "weighing unto their hand" (literally, placing into their charge) underscores the meticulous care and transparency required when handling resources dedicated to God. It highlights the principle of accountability for those entrusted with sacred or significant possessions.
  • Immense Value for God's House: The sheer quantity mentioned – six hundred and fifty talents of silver, one hundred talents of silver vessels, and one hundred talents of gold – represents an astonishing sum. A "talent" was a unit of weight, roughly 75 pounds (34 kg), making the total weight of silver alone over 48,000 pounds (22,000 kg). This demonstrates the significant contributions made towards the restoration and beautification of God's house in Jerusalem.
  • Trust in Divine Protection: The decision to transport such a vast fortune without a royal guard, relying solely on God's protection, signifies profound faith. This verse, therefore, implicitly reinforces the idea that when we commit our ways to the Lord and act with integrity, He will safeguard what is His and those who carry out His will. Their safe arrival in Jerusalem (Ezra 8:32) testifies to this divine care.

Linguistic Insights

The term "talents" (Hebrew: Χ›Φ΄ΦΌΧ›ΦΈΦΌΧ¨, kikkār) refers to a substantial unit of weight, not a coin, used for precious metals. The value represented by these talents was immense, signifying the wealth and generosity of the contributors, including the Persian king Artaxerxes, who provided much of these treasures for the Temple. The phrase "weighed unto their hand" emphasizes the precise and public transfer of responsibility, ensuring transparency and accountability for every item.

Practical Application

Ezra 8:26 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It calls us to consider our own role as stewards of resources, whether they are financial, material, or spiritual gifts. Just as Ezra meticulously accounted for the Temple treasures, we are called to handle all that God entrusts to us with integrity, transparency, and responsibility. Moreover, the narrative encourages us to place our ultimate trust in God for protection and provision, even when facing significant challenges or risks, echoing the sentiment that we should trust in the Lord with all our heart.

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Cross-References

  • Ezra 1:9

    And this [is] the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,

  • Ezra 1:11

    All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.
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