Ezra 8:27

KJV

Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams; and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.

KJV (with Strong's)

Also twenty {H6242} basons {H3713} of gold {H2091}, of a thousand {H505} drams {H150}; and two {H8147} vessels {H3627} of fine {H2896}{H6668} copper {H5178}, precious {H2532} as gold {H2091}.

Complete Jewish Bible

twenty gold bowls weighing twenty-one pounds, and two vessels of fine burnished bronze as precious as gold.

Berean Standard Bible

20 gold bowls valued at 1,000 darics, and two articles of fine polished bronze, as precious as gold.

American Standard Version

and twenty bowls of gold, of a thousand darics; and two vessels of fine bright brass, precious as gold.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 8:27 meticulously records a portion of the vast and valuable offerings entrusted to Ezra and his companions for their return journey from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. This verse specifically highlights twenty gold basins, weighing a substantial amount, alongside two unique vessels of exceptionally refined copper, whose quality and artistry rendered them as precious as gold. These items were designated for the restoration of the Temple and its sacrificial worship, underscoring the profound dedication and generosity of both the Persian king and the returning Jewish exiles towards re-establishing the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 8:27 is embedded within a detailed inventory of sacred treasures (Ezra 8:24-30) that Ezra carefully selected and entrusted to twelve leading priests and Levites. This inventory immediately follows Ezra's call for a fast at the river Ahava (Ezra 8:21-23), where he sought divine protection for the perilous journey, having expressed confidence in God's "good hand" upon those who seek Him (Ezra 8:22). The meticulous accounting of these precious items, including the gold and "fine copper" mentioned in this verse, underscores the immense responsibility placed upon the exiles and the sacred nature of the Temple offerings. The passage culminates with the safe arrival in Jerusalem and the weighing of these treasures in the Temple (Ezra 8:33-34), demonstrating God's faithfulness to protect His people and their consecrated gifts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Ezra 8 occur during the post-exilic period, specifically in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes I (circa 458 BC). The Jewish people had been in Babylonian captivity for decades, and while some had returned under Zerubbabel earlier, Ezra's expedition represented a second significant wave of returnees, focused on religious and legal restoration. The offerings, including those from the Persian king (Ezra 7:15-16) and the exiles themselves, reflect the immense wealth of the Persian Empire and the deep reverence for the Jerusalem Temple, even among foreign rulers. The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem was long and fraught with danger, making the decision to forgo a military escort (Ezra 8:22) a profound act of faith, relying solely on divine protection rather than human might. The "dram" (daric) was a widely recognized Persian gold coin, indicating the currency and weight standards of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Ezra. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Provision and Protection**, as God orchestrates the generosity of the Persian king and safeguards the immense wealth entrusted to Ezra's care, demonstrating His "good hand" upon His people (e.g., [Ezra 7:6](/ezra/7-6 "Ezra 7:6 - The Good Hand of God")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Dedication and Generosity** towards God's house, as both foreign rulers and returning exiles contribute lavishly to the Temple's restoration, emphasizing the importance of worship. Thirdly, the mention of "fine copper, precious as gold" speaks to the theme of **Excellence in Worship and Offering**, suggesting that only the best, even if not intrinsically the most valuable material, was deemed suitable for the Lord's service, echoing principles found in the Mosaic Law regarding unblemished sacrifices (e.g., [Leviticus 22:21](/leviticus/22-21 "Leviticus 22:21 - Unblemished Offerings")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Basons (Hebrew, סֵפֶל, _sephel_):** These were bowls or basins, typically used for various purposes, including collecting liquids, often in a ritual context. In the Temple, such vessels would have been essential for collecting the blood of sacrifices, for libations, or for ritual washings. The mention of "twenty basons of gold" signifies a large quantity of highly valuable vessels dedicated to sacred service, emphasizing the scale of the Temple's needs and the generosity of the offerings.
* **Drams (Hebrew, דַּרְכְּמוֹן, _darkemon_):** This term refers to the Persian gold daric, a widely circulated gold coin that also served as a unit of weight. A "thousand drams" for twenty basins indicates a colossal weight of gold, highlighting the immense material value of these offerings. This quantity underscores the significant financial investment made by the Persian king and the Jewish community in the restoration of the Temple and its worship.
* **Fine copper (Hebrew, נְחֹשֶׁת מֻצְהָב, _nechoshet mutzhav_):** The phrase literally means "gleaming" or "polished copper/bronze." The Septuagint translates it as "vessels of shining bronze." The addition "precious as gold" (יָקָר כַּזָּהָב, _yaqar kazahav_) is crucial. While copper was common, this description implies an extraordinary quality, perhaps a highly refined bronze alloy, a unique and rare type of copper, or vessels of such exceptional artistry and craftsmanship that their aesthetic and functional value rivaled that of gold. It suggests that value was not solely in the raw material but also in its purity, rarity, and the skill invested in its creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Also twenty basons of gold, of a thousand drams":** This clause specifies a significant quantity of gold vessels. "Twenty basons" indicates a substantial number of these ritual bowls, necessary for the various functions of the restored Temple. The phrase "of a thousand drams" clarifies their weight, indicating a collective mass of gold equivalent to a thousand darics. This detail underscores the immense material wealth being transported, highlighting the generosity of the donors and the scale of the Temple's needs. It also subtly emphasizes the great responsibility entrusted to Ezra and his company to safeguard such valuable sacred objects.
* **"and two vessels of fine copper, precious as gold.":** This second clause introduces an intriguing detail. While only two vessels are mentioned, their material is described as "fine copper," further qualified by "precious as gold." This suggests that these were not ordinary copper vessels but items of exceptional quality, perhaps due to a unique alloy, an advanced refining process, or exquisite craftsmanship. The comparison to gold elevates their status, implying their value was not merely intrinsic but derived from its rarity, purity, or artistic merit. This detail serves to highlight that not only raw precious metals but also uniquely crafted and specialized items were considered worthy of dedication to God's house.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Hyperbole** and **Symbolism**. The phrase "precious as gold" when describing copper is a form of hyperbole, emphasizing the extraordinary quality and value of these specific copper vessels. While literally copper is not as valuable as gold, this expression conveys that these particular items, perhaps due to their unique composition or exquisite craftsmanship, were regarded with a reverence and esteem typically reserved for gold. This hyperbole serves to highlight the exceptional nature of the offerings. Furthermore, the entire inventory, including these specific items, functions as **Symbolism**. The precious metals and finely crafted vessels symbolize the dedication, reverence, and generosity of the people and the king towards God and the restoration of His worship. They represent the best being offered to the Lord, reflecting the principle of giving God our choicest possessions and efforts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 8:27, within the broader context of the Temple's restoration, powerfully illustrates the theological principle that God's people are called to offer Him their very best. The meticulous accounting of these valuable items—gold basins and uniquely refined copper vessels—underscores the seriousness with which sacred offerings were regarded. It speaks to a theology of stewardship, where material wealth is consecrated for divine purposes, and a theology of excellence in worship, where only the purest and most valuable (whether intrinsically or by craftsmanship) are deemed fitting for God's house. This verse also implicitly reinforces the theme of God's sovereign provision, as He moved the hearts of both the Persian king and the Jewish exiles to contribute so lavishly to His work.

* [Exodus 35:5](/exodus/35-5 "Exodus 35:5 - Call for Offerings for the Tabernacle") - Demonstrates the Israelites' willingness to bring freewill offerings of precious materials for the Tabernacle's construction.
* [1 Chronicles 29:2-9](/1_chronicles/29-2 "1 Chronicles 29:2-9 - David's Preparations for the Temple") - David and the people offer vast quantities of gold, silver, and other precious materials for the Temple, highlighting generous and willing hearts.
* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Offering Blemished Sacrifices") - Warns against offering blemished or inferior sacrifices to God, emphasizing the importance of offering the best.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 8:27 challenges contemporary believers to examine the quality and intention behind their own offerings to God. Just as the "fine copper, precious as gold" was valued not merely for its base material but for its purity, rarity, or artistry, so too are our contributions to God's kingdom measured by more than their monetary value. Whether it is our time, talents, resources, or even our very lives, the Lord desires our "finest"—that which is offered with a pure heart, dedicated purpose, and a spirit of excellence. This verse reminds us that true worship involves sacrificial giving, trusting that God will protect and multiply what is consecrated to Him, even when the journey ahead seems perilous. It calls us to cultivate a heart of generosity and a commitment to excellence in all that we do for the glory of God, recognizing that our offerings are not merely transactions but expressions of deep devotion and trust in His protective hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "precious as gold" mean for my own offerings of time, talent, or treasure to God?**
* **How does Ezra's reliance on God's protection, even with immense wealth, inform my trust in God when facing significant challenges?**
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to offer God "ordinary copper" instead of "fine copper, precious as gold"?**

### FAQ
**What was a "dram" and how much was "a thousand drams" worth?**

Answer: A "dram" in this context refers to the Persian gold daric (Hebrew: _darkemon_), a standard gold coin of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. It typically weighed around 8.4 grams (approximately 0.296 ounces) of pure gold. Therefore, "a thousand drams" would equate to roughly 8.4 kilograms (or about 18.5 pounds) of gold. This was an extraordinarily large and valuable quantity, emphasizing the immense wealth being dedicated to the Temple's restoration and the significant trust placed in Ezra and his companions to transport it safely. This substantial offering highlights the generosity of the Persian king and the returning exiles, underscoring their commitment to God's house and the re-establishment of worship in Jerusalem, as seen in the broader context of [Ezra 8:24-30](/ezra/8-24 "Ezra 8:24-30 - Inventory of Offerings").

**Why was "fine copper" considered "precious as gold"?**

Answer: The description "fine copper, precious as gold" suggests that these were not ordinary copper vessels. While copper was a common metal, the term "fine" (Hebrew: _mutzhav_, meaning "gleaming" or "polished") indicates a highly refined quality, possibly a special alloy of bronze, or copper that had undergone a unique purification or artistic process. The phrase "precious as gold" is likely an idiomatic expression or a form of hyperbole, emphasizing their extraordinary value due to their rarity, exceptional craftsmanship, or perhaps a unique aesthetic quality that made them highly prized. It implies that their worth transcended the intrinsic value of the raw material, elevating them to a status comparable to gold in terms of their significance for Temple service. This highlights that value for God's service is not solely tied to the material's intrinsic worth but also to its purity, rarity, or the skill and dedication involved in its creation, a principle echoed in the quality of offerings prescribed in [Leviticus 1:3](/leviticus/1-3 "Leviticus 1:3 - Requirements for Burnt Offerings").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 8:27, with its focus on precious offerings for the earthly Temple, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The gold basins and "fine copper, precious as gold" were consecrated for the worship of God in a physical sanctuary, pointing forward to a greater reality. Jesus Christ is the true and perfect offering, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrifice is infinitely more precious than any material offering. He is also the ultimate Temple, the place where God truly dwells among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")). In Him, the need for animal sacrifices and elaborate material offerings for atonement is superseded, for by His one perfect sacrifice, He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Consequently, the "offerings" we bring today are spiritual: our lives as living sacrifices ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Sacrifices of Praise")), and acts of generosity and service to others ([Hebrews 13:16](/hebrews/13-16 "Hebrews 13:16 - Sharing and Doing Good")). The excellence demanded for the Old Testament Temple foreshadows the excellence of Christ's perfect work and the call for believers to live lives worthy of the gospel, reflecting the glory of the one who is infinitely more precious than gold or fine copper.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Lamentations 4:2

The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!