Ezra 7:22

Unto an hundred talents of silver, and to an hundred measures of wheat, and to an hundred baths of wine, and to an hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing [how much].

Unto {H5705} an hundred {H3969} talents {H3604} of silver {H3702}, and to an hundred {H3969} measures {H3734} of wheat {H2591}, and to an hundred {H3969} baths {H1325} of wine {H2562}, and to an hundred {H3969} baths {H1325} of oil {H4887}, and salt {H4416} without {H3809} prescribing {H3792} how much.

up to three-and-a-third tons of silver, 500 bushels of wheat, 500 gallons of wine, 500 gallons of olive oil and unlimited amounts of salt.

up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred cors of wheat, a hundred baths of wine, a hundred baths of olive oil, and salt without limit.

unto a hundred talents of silver, and to a hundred measures of wheat, and to a hundred baths of wine, and to a hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much.

Commentary

Ezra 7:22 details the generous provisions decreed by King Artaxerxes I of Persia for the temple service in Jerusalem, specifically for Ezra the scribe and priest. This verse lists the specific quantities of precious metals and foodstuffs allocated for the needs of the worship and the sustenance of those serving in the restored temple.

Context

This verse is part of a significant royal decree issued by King Artaxerxes I, granting Ezra broad authority and substantial resources for his mission to Jerusalem. Ezra, a skilled scribe and priest, was leading a second wave of Jewish exiles back to their homeland (following Zerubbabel's earlier return) with the primary goal of restoring the proper worship and enforcement of God's law in Jerusalem. The decree, outlined in Ezra 7:11-26, demonstrates God's sovereign hand working through a pagan king to facilitate the rebuilding of Jewish life and worship after the Babylonian exile. The provisions listed here are crucial for the daily sacrifices, offerings, and the upkeep of the temple and its personnel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Providence through Royal Decree: The verse powerfully illustrates how God can move the hearts of even secular rulers to accomplish His divine purposes. Artaxerxes' decree was not merely a political act but a testament to God's overarching plan for His people's restoration.
  • Generous Provision for Worship: The specified amounts—one hundred talents of silver, one hundred measures of wheat, one hundred baths of wine, and one hundred baths of oil—represent a vast and lavish provision. This abundance underscores the king's commitment (divinely inspired) to the sanctity and proper functioning of the temple worship.
  • Restoration of Temple Service: These supplies were essential for the various offerings and ceremonies prescribed by the Mosaic Law, ensuring that the temple in Jerusalem could once again function as the center of Israelite worship. This reflects the broader theme of spiritual and physical restoration after the exile.
  • Unrestricted Supply: The phrase "salt without prescribing" highlights an open-ended, unlimited provision for a crucial commodity. This suggests a deep trust and commitment to providing whatever was necessary for the temple's needs, echoing God's boundless provision for His people.

Linguistic Insights

  • Talents: A talent (Hebrew: kikkār) was a very large unit of weight, typically around 75 pounds (or 34 kg). One hundred talents of silver would have been an immense sum, indicating the king's extraordinary generosity and the significant resources dedicated to the temple's restoration.
  • Measures (Wheat): The Hebrew term for "measures" here is kor (or cor), which was a dry measure, roughly equivalent to 10 baths or about 6.2 bushels (approx. 220 liters).
  • Baths (Wine and Oil): A bath (Hebrew: bath) was a liquid measure, approximately 6 gallons (or 22 liters). One hundred baths of wine and oil signify a substantial quantity for both libations and sustenance.
  • Salt without prescribing: The Hebrew phrase melach bil'di ketav literally means "salt without writing" or "without a written limit." Salt was a vital commodity, used for food preservation and, significantly, as a required component in grain offerings (Leviticus 2:13) and symbolic of a lasting covenant (Numbers 18:19). Its unlimited provision further emphasizes the king's, and ultimately God's, unreserved support for the temple.

Practical Application

Ezra 7:22 reminds us of God's faithful provision for His work and His people, often through unexpected channels. Just as Artaxerxes was moved to support the temple, God can use various means and individuals to supply the needs of His kingdom today. This verse encourages believers to trust in God's boundless resources and His commitment to sustaining His purposes. It also highlights the importance of generously supporting spiritual endeavors, whether through financial contributions or dedicated service, recognizing that such resources are vital for the continued spread of the Gospel and the building up of the church.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 16:6 (2 votes)

    And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.

  • Luke 16:7 (2 votes)

    Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.

  • Leviticus 2:13 (2 votes)

    And every oblation of thy meat offering shalt thou season with salt; neither shalt thou suffer the salt of the covenant of thy God to be lacking from thy meat offering: with all thine offerings thou shalt offer salt.

  • Ezekiel 45:14 (2 votes)

    Concerning the ordinance of oil, the bath of oil, [ye shall offer] the tenth part of a bath out of the cor, [which is] an homer of ten baths; for ten baths [are] an homer: