Ezra 8:29

KJV

Watch ye, and keep [them], until ye weigh [them] before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Watch {H8245} ye, and keep {H8104} them, until ye weigh {H8254} them before {H6440} the chief {H8269} of the priests {H3548} and the Levites {H3881}, and chief {H8269} of the fathers {H1} of Israel {H3478}, at Jerusalem {H3389}, in the chambers {H3957} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Guard them carefully, until you weigh them before the chief cohanim and L'vi'im and the leaders of the fathers'clans in Yerushalayim, in the rooms of the house of ADONAI."

Berean Standard Bible

Guard them carefully until you weigh them out in the chambers of the house of the LORD in Jerusalem before the leading priests, Levites, and heads of the Israelite families.”

American Standard Version

Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh them before the chiefs of the priests and the Levites, and the princes of the fathers’ houses of Israel, at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 8:29 delivers a critical directive from Ezra to the appointed priests and Levites, charging them with the diligent and transparent safeguarding of the valuable temple offerings during their perilous journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. This verse underscores the profound responsibility associated with handling consecrated items dedicated to the Lord, emphasizing meticulous care, unwavering integrity, and a public accounting upon arrival, ensuring the sanctity and proper administration of God's provisions for His house.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the narrative of Ezra's second expedition of Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem, a significant event following the initial return led by Zerubbabel. Prior to their departure, Ezra had proclaimed a fast at the river Ahava, seeking divine protection for the journey, as they intentionally eschewed a military escort to demonstrate their reliance on God ([Ezra 8:21-23](/ezra/8-21 "Ezra 8:21-23 - Ezra's Fast at Ahava")). Immediately preceding verse 29, Ezra meticulously selected twelve leading priests and Levites, entrusting them with an immense treasure of gold, silver, and vessels—donations from King Artaxerxes, his counselors, and the Israelites themselves—all designated for the rebuilding and furnishing of the Temple in Jerusalem ([Ezra 8:24-27](/ezra/8-24 "Ezra 8:24-27 - The Sacred Treasure Entrusted")). Verse 28 explicitly declares that these items, and those who carried them, were "holy unto the LORD," setting the stage for the solemn instruction of watchful stewardship.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile was a monumental undertaking, fraught with danger. Travel through the desert was perilous, with risks of banditry and wild animals. The vast wealth being transported made the caravan a prime target. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the handling of sacred temple treasures was a matter of utmost gravity, often involving strict protocols and severe penalties for misuse or theft. The public weighing and accounting of such valuables, as commanded by Ezra, was a common practice to ensure transparency and prevent accusations of embezzlement, particularly when dealing with large sums or items of significant religious value. The "chambers of the house of the LORD" were designated storage areas within the Temple complex, specifically designed for sacred vessels, offerings, and priestly vestments, highlighting the consecrated nature of the items and their intended use.

* **Key Themes:** Ezra 8:29 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Stewardship and Accountability**, emphasizing the diligent and transparent management of resources dedicated to God. Ezra's command for meticulous care ("Watch ye, and keep them") until the items are officially handed over underscores the importance of integrity in handling sacred trusts, a principle echoed throughout Scripture regarding the management of all God-given resources ([1 Corinthians 4:2](/1_corinthians/4-2 "1 Corinthians 4:2 - Faithfulness in Stewardship")). Secondly, the verse highlights **Holiness and Consecration**, as the gold, silver, and vessels were not merely valuable but were "holy," set apart for divine service. The instruction to "keep them" reflects the reverence due to items consecrated for God's use, similar to the Levitical laws concerning sacred objects ([Numbers 1:50](/numbers/1-50 "Numbers 1:50 - Levites' Duty for the Tabernacle")). Finally, while focusing on human responsibility, the broader context of [Ezra 8](/ezra/8 "Ezra 8 - The Return Journey and Treasure") emphasizes **Divine Protection and Trust**, as the careful guarding of the treasure was an act of responsible stewardship undertaken with faith that God would preserve both the people and their precious cargo, demonstrating a harmonious blend of human diligence and divine reliance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Watch (שָׁמַר, _shamar_):** This Hebrew verb signifies to guard, keep, preserve, or observe diligently. It implies an active, vigilant oversight, often with the connotation of protecting something valuable from harm or loss. In this context, it conveys the imperative to be constantly alert and attentive to the security of the entrusted items, much like a watchman guarding a city wall.
* **Keep (נָצַר, _natsar_):** Closely related to _shamar_, _natsar_ means to watch over, protect, preserve, or be vigilant. It often carries the nuance of enclosing or holding something securely, ensuring its safety within one's custody. Together with _shamar_, it forms a powerful dual command emphasizing comprehensive and unceasing guardianship, highlighting the extreme diligence required for the sacred treasure.
* **Weigh (שָׁקַל, _shaqal_):** This verb means to weigh, measure out, or pay. In the ancient world, weighing was the primary method for verifying the quantity and value of precious metals. The command to "weigh them" signifies a precise, verifiable, and public accounting, ensuring absolute transparency and preventing any suspicion of loss or misappropriation. It underscores the demand for meticulous integrity in the transfer of sacred funds.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Watch ye, and keep [them],"**: This is a direct, emphatic imperative given by Ezra, commanding the appointed priests and Levites to exercise extreme vigilance and care over the consecrated gold, silver, and vessels. The dual verbs "watch" and "keep" underscore the comprehensive nature of their guardianship, implying constant alertness against theft, damage, or loss, and the active preservation of the items' integrity and quantity. This highlights the solemn responsibility placed upon them as stewards of God's holy treasure.
* **"until ye weigh [them] before the chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers of Israel,"**: This clause specifies the duration and the precise method of their stewardship, as well as the authoritative audience for the handover. Their responsibility extends until a formal, public accounting takes place. The act of "weighing" signifies a meticulous, verifiable inventory, ensuring transparency and preventing any accusation of misuse or loss. The presence of the "chief of the priests and the Levites" (the spiritual leadership) and the "chief of the fathers of Israel" (the civil and tribal leadership) ensures that the process is witnessed and validated by the highest authorities in the community, affirming the integrity of the mission and the accountability of the carriers.
* **"at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD."**: This final phrase pinpoints the exact location where the transfer and weighing are to occur. "Jerusalem" is the destination, the sacred city where the Temple stood. "In the chambers of the house of the LORD" indicates the specific, consecrated storage areas within the Temple complex itself. This detail emphasizes the sacred nature of the items and their ultimate purpose: to be dedicated to the Lord's service within His holy dwelling place, reinforcing the sanctity of the entire process from departure to arrival.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 8:29 employs several effective literary devices to convey its crucial message. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, seen in the direct commands "Watch ye, and keep" and "weigh." This forceful language underscores the non-negotiable nature of the responsibility being delegated. There is also a strong sense of **Emphasis through Juxtaposition** in the pairing of "watch" and "keep," two verbs that, while similar, collectively convey a comprehensive and unceasing vigilance. This redundancy serves to heighten the gravity of the task. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Specificity and Detail** regarding the process ("weigh"), the witnesses ("chief of the priests and the Levites, and chief of the fathers"), and the location ("at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the LORD"). This precision leaves no room for ambiguity, reinforcing the demand for absolute accountability and integrity. The verse also implicitly builds **Anticipation**, as the command is given for a future event, creating a sense of expectation for the safe arrival and proper transfer of the precious cargo.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 8:29 serves as a profound biblical lesson in faithful stewardship and uncompromising accountability, particularly concerning resources consecrated for divine purposes. It highlights that God's work demands not only spiritual devotion but also practical integrity and meticulous care in the handling of material assets. The meticulous instructions given by Ezra underscore the principle that those entrusted with sacred responsibilities are expected to manage them with transparency and diligence, knowing that they will ultimately give an account. This principle extends beyond physical treasures to all aspects of life, reminding believers that all they possess—time, talents, resources, and even their very lives—are ultimately gifts from God to be managed for His glory.

* [Luke 16:10](/luke/16-10 "Luke 16:10 - Faithfulness in Little Things")
* [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Stewards of God's Grace")
* [Romans 14:12](/romans/14-12 "Romans 14:12 - Giving an Account to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 8:29 offers timeless principles for believers today, reminding us of our call to be faithful stewards of all that God entrusts to us. Just as Ezra demanded meticulous care and public accountability for the physical treasures of the Temple, so too are we called to manage our spiritual gifts, financial resources, time, relationships, and even our bodies with diligence, integrity, and transparency. This verse challenges us to consider how we handle what is "holy unto the Lord" in our own lives, whether it's the Gospel message, the care for fellow believers, or the resources given for the advancement of God's kingdom. Our stewardship is not merely a private matter but often has public implications, requiring us to live with integrity, knowing that we are ultimately accountable to God for how we have managed His blessings. It invites us to cultivate a posture of vigilant care, recognizing that everything we possess is a sacred trust from the Lord, to be used for His glory until the day we give an account.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to exercise greater "watching" and "keeping" of the resources or responsibilities God has entrusted to me?**
* **How does the principle of public "weighing" and accountability challenge my approach to personal integrity and transparency?**
* **What "chambers of the house of the LORD"—spiritual or physical—am I called to serve and protect with diligence today?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important to "weigh" the items upon arrival, and not just count them?**

Answer: In the ancient world, precious metals like gold and silver were often in the form of unminted bullion, bars, or vessels, rather than standardized coins. Their value was determined by their weight and purity. Therefore, simply counting items like vessels wouldn't account for their intrinsic value or potential damage. "Weighing" (שָׁקַל, _shaqal_) was the precise and verifiable method to confirm the exact quantity and value of the gold and silver, ensuring that nothing was lost or tampered with during the journey. This meticulous process guaranteed complete transparency and accountability, preventing any accusations of theft or loss and affirming the integrity of the carriers and the mission before the assembled leadership of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 8:29, with its emphasis on diligent stewardship and meticulous accountability of sacred treasures for the physical temple, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfect Steward of God's ultimate treasure—His people and His redemptive plan. Unlike the priests and Levites who were entrusted with gold and silver, Jesus was entrusted with the very "sheep of His pasture" ([Psalm 100:3](/psalm/100-3 "Psalm 100:3 - We are His People")) and the eternal purposes of God. He perfectly "watched and kept" all that the Father gave Him, losing none ([John 6:39](/john/6-39 "John 6:39 - Jesus Loses None of His Own")). His entire life was an act of perfect obedience and accountability to the Father, culminating in His ultimate sacrifice, which was the true "weighing" of His life for the redemption of humanity ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). The "chambers of the house of the LORD" in Jerusalem, where the physical treasures were deposited, foreshadow the true Temple, which is Christ's body ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")) and, by extension, the spiritual temple of believers, the Church ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone of the Church")). We, as believers, are now the "living stones" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), entrusted with the immeasurable spiritual riches of the Gospel, called to be faithful stewards of God's grace until the day we give an account to our Lord, who perfectly fulfilled all stewardship.

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

Ezra 8:33

Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him [was] Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them [was] Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;

Ezra 8:34

By number [and] by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.

1 Chronicles 26:20

¶ And of the Levites, Ahijah [was] over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

1 Chronicles 26:26

Which Shelomith and his brethren [were] over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

Mark 13:34

[For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Mark 13:35

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Acts 20:31

Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.