Ezra 6:18
What does Ezra 6:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 6:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 6:18 means
The priests and Levites are appointed in their proper divisions and courses for service in Jerusalem, in accordance with what is written in the book of Moses. This reestablishes worship on the foundation of God’s revealed order. Dedication is not only about enthusiasm; it is about obedience to Scripture’s patterns. By aligning service with the Mosaic instructions, the community signals its desire for purity and continuity with God’s covenant. The restored temple is now staffed and regulated as God prescribed, ready for regular sacrifices, teaching, and the rhythms of festival worship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they put the priests in their divisions and the Levites in their order, for the worship of God at Jerusalem; as it is recorded in the book of Moses.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they have established the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, over the service of God that <FI>is<Fi> in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they set the priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses over the works of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the book of Moses.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they set the priests in their classes, and the Levites in their divisions, for the service ofGod, which is at Jerusalem: as it is written in the book of Moses.
Context
Having offered dedication sacrifices, the community sets its ministers in order by Scripture. This completes the immediate tasks required to resume temple life. The narrative now moves to the first major feast in the renewed setting: Passover (v. 19), followed by the seven-day Feast of Unleavened Bread (vv. 21–22). These observances will highlight themes of purification, separation from idolatry, and joy, showing that the rebuilt temple is not an end in itself but a center for covenant faithfulness.
v.17And they offered at the dedication of this house of God a hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin-offering for all Israel, twelve he-goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
v.18This passage
v.19And the children of the captivity kept the passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 35:4
and prepare yourselves after your fathers’ houses by your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son.
- Numbers 3:6
Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
- 1 Chronicles 23:1
Now David was old and full of days; and he made Solomon his son king over Israel.
- Numbers 8:9
And thou shalt present the Levites before the tent of meeting: and thou shalt assemble the whole congregation of the children of Israel:
- 1 Chronicles 24:1
And the courses of the sons of Aaron were these. The sons of Aaron: Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.