Ezra 1:4
What does Ezra 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 1:4 means
Cyrus makes provision for those who do not return to share in the mission through generous support. Wherever an Israelite remains, the surrounding people are to aid him with silver, gold, goods, and animals, in addition to freewill offerings for God’s house in Jerusalem. This recognizes that rebuilding requires both workers and resources. The “freewill-offering” highlights that true worship is not coerced; it springs from willing hearts. The verse anticipates a broad coalition of support, turning former captors and neighbors into benefactors. God’s plan not only releases the people but also equips them, ensuring that the returnees will have what is necessary to restore the temple and reinstate sacrificial worship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And whosoever is left, in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the freewill-offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And whosoever is left, in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the freewill-offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And whoever there may be of the rest of Israel, living in any place, let the men of that place give him help with offerings of silver and gold and goods and beasts, in addition to the offering freely given for the house of God in Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`And every one who is left, of any of the places where he <FI>is<Fi> a sojourner, assist him do the men of his place with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, along with a free-will offering for the house of God, that <FI>is<Fi> in Jerusalem.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And let all the rest in all places wheresoever they dwell, help him every man from his place, with silver and gold, and goods, and cattle, besides that which they offer freely to the temple of God, which is in Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And whosoever remains in any place where he sojourns, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, besides the voluntary offering for the house ofGod which is at Jerusalem.
Context
In sequence with the invitation of verse 3, this verse outlines how the wider community is to participate. It ensures the mission is funded and supplied, echoing earlier patterns where God moved others to provide for His people. The dual emphasis on material aid and voluntary offerings prepares for the report that follows (verses 5–6), showing the people’s stirred response and their neighbors’ generosity. The narrative will then narrow to a specific and sacred provision: the return of temple vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar (verses 7–11), underscoring the holiness of the task.
v.3Whosoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
v.4This passage
v.5Then rose up the heads of fathers’housesof Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
- Acts 24:17
Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings:
- 3 John 1:6
who bare witness to thy love before the church: whom thou wilt do well to set forward on their journey worthily of God:
- 1 Chronicles 29:3
Moreover also, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, seeing that I have a treasure of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
- 1 Chronicles 29:9
Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to Jehovah: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.