Ezra 7:18
What does Ezra 7:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 7:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 7:18 means
The decree grants Ezra and his brothers discretion over any remaining silver and gold, to be used in line with the will of their God. This trust recognizes Ezra’s wisdom and aims to keep decisions theologically guided rather than merely expedient. While the prior verse focused on sacrifices, this clause acknowledges other legitimate needs connected to the house of God and the community’s worship. By tying discretion to God’s will, the king honors the primacy of divine instruction while empowering competent leaders on the ground. It balances royal oversight with local, spiritually informed judgment for the flourishing of temple service.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And whatsoever shall seem good to thee, and to thy brethren, to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do after the will of your God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And whatever seems right to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, that do, as may be pleasing to your God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and that which to thee and to thy brethren is good to do with the rest of the silver and gold, according to the will of your God ye do.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if it seem good to thee, and to thy brethren to do any thing with the rest of the silver and gold, do it according to the will of your God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And whatever shall seem good to thee and to thy brethren to do with the rest of the silver and the gold, that do according to the will of yourGod.
Context
Having specified the primary sacrificial use of funds, the letter now allows for flexible allocation of leftovers under divine guidance. This sets up the handling of sacred vessels (verse 19) and introduces, next, a standing commitment to cover additional needs from the royal treasury (verse 20). The structure shows careful planning: principal expenditures, responsible discretion, and assurance of further supply if necessary.
v.17therefore 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.
v.18This passage
v.19And the vessels that are given thee for the service of the house of thy God, deliver thou before the God of Jerusalem.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 22:7
Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand; for they dealt faithfully.
- Ezra 7:26
And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him with all diligence, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
- Ephesians 5:17
Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- 2 Kings 12:15
Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to give to them that did the work; for they dealt faithfully.