Ezra 8:24
What does Ezra 8:24 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 8:24 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 8:24 means
Ezra appoints twelve chief priests—naming Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers—to take responsibility for the sacred treasure. Choosing twelve may echo completeness in Israel, but here it chiefly shows that a representative, accountable group was set apart for a holy trust. By involving leading priests, Ezra honors the sanctity of the offerings and ensures competent oversight. This step moves from spiritual preparation to concrete arrangements for transport. The priests were not only ritual leaders but also guardians of items dedicated to God, uniting worship and stewardship in their calling.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So I put on one side twelve of the chiefs of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I separate from the heads of the priests, twelve, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and with them of their brethren ten,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I separated twelve of the chief of the priests, Sarabias, and Hasabias, and with them ten of their brethren,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I separated twelve of the chiefs of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
Context
Verse 24 begins the section on safeguarding the offerings, following the fast and God’s favorable response (verse 23). Ezra selects twelve chiefs among the priests, including Sherebiah and Hashabiah, also noted earlier among the Levites, to oversee the valuables. The subsequent verses (25–29) will detail the precise amounts weighed out and the charge given to guard them until they are weighed again in Jerusalem. This careful process underscores integrity, accountability, and reverence for what belongs to the house of God, leading directly into the departure and journey (verse 31).
v.23So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.
v.24This passage
v.25and weighed unto them the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, even the offering for the house of our God, which the king, and his counsellors, and his princes, and all Israel there present, had offered:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 8:18
And according to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;