Ezra 7:17
What does Ezra 7:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 7:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 7:17 means
The king instructs Ezra to diligently purchase bullocks, rams, lambs, and their associated grain and drink offerings, and to present them on the altar in God’s house. The specificity shows informed respect for Israel’s sacrificial system. Funds are not for political projects but for worship as prescribed in the Law. The command to “offer them” underscores that the goal is restored communion with God through atonement, thanksgiving, and consecration. Diligence is required, implying care, speed, and fidelity. This royal direction magnifies the centrality of the altar in Israel’s life and anticipates the renewed rhythm of sacrifices that mark a people reconciled and devoted to Jehovah.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000therefore thou shalt with all diligence buy with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meal-offerings and their drink-offerings, and shalt offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901therefore thou shalt with all diligence buy with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meal-offerings and their drink-offerings, and shalt offer them upon the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So with this money get with care oxen, sheep, and lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, to be offered on the altar of the house of your God, which is in Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862therefore thou dost speedily buy with this money, bullocks, rams, lambs, and their presents, and their libations, and dost bring them near to the altar of the house of your God that <FI>is<Fi> in Jerusalem,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Take freely, and buy diligently with this money, calves, rams, lambs, with the sacrifices and libations of them, and offer them upon the altar of the temple of your God, that is in Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore thou shalt buy diligently with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their oblations and their drink-offerings, and offer them upon the altar of the house of yourGod which is at Jerusalem.
Context
After establishing multiple funding sources, the decree now dictates their primary use: sacrificial worship in Jerusalem. This anchors the financial generosity to a spiritual end. The following verses will address discretionary spending for remaining funds (verse 18), the delivery of sacred vessels (verse 19), and further needs covered by the king’s treasure-house (verse 20). The progression ensures both ordered worship and sufficient material support.
v.16and all the silver and gold that thou shalt find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill-offering of the people, and of the priests, offering willingly for the house of their God which is in Jerusalem;
v.17This passage
v.18And whatsoever shall seem good to thee and to thy brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do ye after the will of your God.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 14:24
And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to set his name there, when Jehovah thy God shall bless thee;
- Numbers 15:4
then shall he that offereth his oblation offer unto Jehovah a meal-offering of a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mingled with the fourth part of a hin of oil:
- Ezra 6:9
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;
- Deuteronomy 12:5
But unto the place which Jehovah your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come;
- Matthew 21:12
And Jesus entered into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold the doves;
- John 2:14
And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: