Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version With this money be sure to buy bulls, rams and male lambs, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and sacrifice them on the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem. New Living Translation These donations are to be used specifically for the purchase of bulls, rams, male lambs, and the appropriate grain offerings and liquid offerings, all of which will be offered on the altar of the Temple of your God in Jerusalem. English Standard Version With this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God that is in Jerusalem. Berean Standard Bible With this money, therefore, you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem. Berean Literal Bible All that diligently buy therefore with this silver: Bulls, rams, lambs, and their grain offerings, and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your⁺ God that is in Jerusalem. King James Bible That 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. New King James Version now therefore, be careful to buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem. New American Standard Bible with this money, therefore, you shall diligently buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. NASB 1995 with this money, therefore, you shall diligently buy bulls, rams and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. NASB 1977 with this money, therefore, you shall diligently buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their libations and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. Legacy Standard Bible with this money, therefore, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and bring them near to the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. Amplified Bible Therefore with this money, you shall diligently buy bulls, rams, and lambs, with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. Berean Annotated Bible With this money, therefore, you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your⁺ God in Jerusalem (city of peace). Christian Standard Bible Then you are to be diligent to buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs, along with their grain and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then you are to buy with this money as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, along with their grain and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem. American Standard Version therefore 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. Contemporary English Version Use the money carefully to buy the best bulls, rams, lambs, grain, and wine. Then sacrifice them on the altar at God's temple in Jerusalem. English Revised Version therefore 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation You must use this money to buy bulls, rams, lambs, grain, and wine to offer on the altar of the temple of your God in Jerusalem. Good News Translation "You are to spend this money carefully and buy bulls, rams, lambs, grain, and wine and offer them on the altar of the Temple in Jerusalem. International Standard Version Accordingly, you are to exercise due diligence to utilize this money to purchase bulls, rams, lambs, grain offerings, and drink offerings, and to offer them upon the altar of the Temple of your God, which is in Jerusalem. NET Bible With this money you should be sure to purchase bulls, rams, and lambs, along with the appropriate meal offerings and libations. You should bring them to the altar of the temple of your God which is in Jerusalem. New Heart English Bible therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. Webster's Bible Translation That 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWith this money, therefore, you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem. World English Bible Therefore you shall with all diligence buy with this money bulls, rams, and lambs with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versiontherefore you speedily buy with this money, bullocks, rams, lambs, and their presents, and their drink-offerings, and bring them near to the altar of the house of your God that [is] in Jerusalem, Berean Literal Bible All that diligently buy therefore with this silver: Bulls, rams, lambs, and their grain offerings, and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your⁺ God that is in Jerusalem. Young's Literal Translation therefore 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 is in Jerusalem, Smith's Literal Translation For this cause speedily shalt thou buy with this silver, oxen, rams, lambs, with their gifts and their libations, and thou shalt bring them near upon the altar of the house of your God that is in Jerusalem. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTake 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. Catholic Public Domain Version accept it freely. And with this money, carefully purchase calves, rams, lambs, and their sacrifices and libations, and offer these upon the altar of the temple of your God, which is in Jerusalem. New American Bible Therefore, you must use this money with all diligence to buy bulls, rams, lambs, and the grain offerings and libations proper to these, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem. New Revised Standard Version With this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, and their grain offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThat you may buy wisely with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them upon the altar of your God which is in Jerusalem. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And now you may carefully buy with this money bulls and rams and lambs, their offerings and their drink offerings, and you shall offer on the altar of your God in Jerusalem. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917therefore 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation And as for every one that arrives there, speedily order him by this letter to bring calves, rams, lambs, and their meat-offerings, and their drink-offerings; and thou shalt offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Artaxerxes' Letter for Ezra…16together with all the silver and gold you may find in all the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem. 17With this money, therefore, you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem. 18You and your brothers may do whatever seems best with the rest of the silver and gold, according to the will of your God.… Cross References With this money, therefore, Ezra 6:8 I hereby decree what you must do for these elders of the Jews who are rebuilding this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces west of the Euphrates, so that the work will not be hindered. Deuteronomy 14:24-26 But if the distance is too great for you to carry that with which the LORD your God has blessed you, because the place where the LORD your God will choose to put His Name is too far away, / then exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. / Then you may spend the money on anything you desire: cattle, sheep, wine, strong drink, or anything you wish. You are to feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice with your household. 2 Chronicles 31:3 The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD. you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, Ezra 6:9 Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven, as well as wheat, salt, wine, and oil, as requested by the priests in Jerusalem—must be given to them daily without fail. 2 Chronicles 29:32-35 The number of burnt offerings the assembly brought was seventy bulls, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD. / And the consecrated offerings were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep. / However, since there were not enough priests to skin all the burnt offerings, their Levite brothers helped them until the work was finished and until the priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites had been more diligent in consecrating themselves than the priests had been. … Numbers 28:11-15 At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, / along with three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with the ram, / and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each lamb. This is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. … together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, Numbers 15:3-10 and you present a food offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast— / then the one presenting his offering to the LORD shall also present a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil. / With the burnt offering or sacrifice of each lamb, you are to prepare a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering. … Leviticus 23:13 along with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil—a food offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma—and its drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. Numbers 28:7-8 The drink offering accompanying each lamb shall be a quarter hin. Pour out the offering of fermented drink to the LORD in the sanctuary area. / And offer the second lamb at twilight, with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning. It is a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. and offer them on the altar Leviticus 1:9 The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. Exodus 29:38-42 This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. / Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. / With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. … Deuteronomy 12:6-7 To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you. at the house of your God in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 6:5-6 ‘Since the day I brought My people out of the land of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there, nor have I chosen anyone to be ruler over My people Israel. / But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ Ezra 6:16-17 Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. / For the dedication of the house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and a sin offering for all Israel of twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel. 1 Kings 8:44-49 When Your people go to war against their enemies, wherever You send them, and when they pray to the LORD in the direction of the city You have chosen and the house I have built for Your Name, / then may You hear from heaven their prayer and their plea, and may You uphold their cause. / When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near, … Leviticus 1:3-9 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. / He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. / And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. … Treasury of Scripture That you may buy speedily with this money bullocks, rams, lambs, with their meat offerings and their drink offerings, and offer them on the altar of the house of your God which is in Jerusalem. buy speedily. Ezra 6:9,10 And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail: … Deuteronomy 14:24-26 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: … Matthew 21:12,13 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, … their meat offerings Numbers 15:4-13 Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil… offer them Deuteronomy 12:5-11 But unto the place which the LORD 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: … Jump to Previous Altar Bullocks Bulls Buy Care Cereal Diligence Diligently Drink Drink-Offerings Grain House Jerusalem Lambs Male Mayest Meal Meal-Offerings Meat Meat-Offerings Money Oblations Offer Offerings Oxen Presents Rams Sacrifice Speedily Sure TogetherJump to Next Altar Bullocks Bulls Buy Care Cereal Diligence Diligently Drink Drink-Offerings Grain House Jerusalem Lambs Male Mayest Meal Meal-Offerings Meat Meat-Offerings Money Oblations Offer Offerings Oxen Presents Rams Sacrifice Speedily Sure TogetherEzra 7 1. Ezra goes up to Jerusalem11. The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra 27. Ezra blesses God for this favor With this money, therefore, This phrase indicates the allocation of funds for a specific purpose. The context is the decree from King Artaxerxes of Persia, granting Ezra the resources needed for temple worship. This reflects the Persian policy of supporting local religious practices to maintain peace and loyalty within the empire. you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed, together with their grain offerings and drink offerings, and offer them on the altar at the house of your God in Jerusalem. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA scribe and priest, Ezra was a leader of the Jewish exiles returning from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was tasked with re-establishing the Law of Moses and proper worship in the temple. 2. Artaxerxes The Persian king who issued a decree allowing Ezra and other exiles to return to Jerusalem. He provided resources for the temple sacrifices. 3. Jerusalem The holy city where the temple of God was located. It was the center of Jewish worship and the place where sacrifices were to be offered. 4. Temple of God The central place of worship for the Israelites, where sacrifices and offerings were made according to the Law of Moses. 5. Sacrifices (Bulls, Rams, Lambs) These animals were part of the sacrificial system established in the Law of Moses, symbolizing atonement and worship. Teaching Points Faithful StewardshipEzra was entrusted with resources to be used for God's purposes. We, too, are called to be faithful stewards of what God has given us, using our resources to honor Him. Worship and Sacrifice The emphasis on careful preparation and offering of sacrifices reminds us of the importance of sincere and wholehearted worship. Our lives should be living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Obedience to God's Commands Ezra's adherence to the instructions for sacrifices underscores the importance of obedience to God's Word. We are called to live according to His commands, trusting in His wisdom and guidance. God's Provision The provision of resources by a foreign king demonstrates God's sovereignty and ability to provide for His people in unexpected ways. We can trust God to meet our needs as we seek to do His will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezra 7:17?2. How does Ezra 7:17 emphasize the importance of proper worship and offerings to God? 3. What can we learn from Ezra's obedience in fulfilling God's commands in Ezra 7:17? 4. How does Ezra 7:17 connect to the broader theme of temple worship in Scripture? 5. In what ways can we prioritize God's instructions in our daily lives like Ezra? 6. How does the detailed preparation in Ezra 7:17 inspire our approach to worship today? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in Ezra 7:17? 8. How does Ezra 7:17 reflect God's sovereignty in worship practices? 9. Why are specific offerings mentioned in Ezra 7:17 significant for understanding Old Testament worship? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 7? 11. What was the purpose of Old Testament animal sacrifices? 12. How many were the children of Azgad? One thousand two hundred and twenty-two (Ezra 2:12) Two thousand three hundred and twenty-two (Nehemiah 7:17) 13. In Ezra 9:7, how does the stated timeline of guilt leading to captivity compare with historical accounts of Persian policies regarding exiles? 14. Where is the archaeological or historical evidence to confirm God's promise in 1 Chronicles 17:9-10, given Israel's turbulent history and exiles? What Does Ezra 7:17 Mean With this money, thereforeThe silver and gold just entrusted to Ezra (Ezra 7:15-16) are not a general slush fund; they are earmarked for worship. • God often channels resources through unlikely sources—here a Persian king—just as He moved Cyrus earlier (Ezra 1:4-6) and Darius later (Ezra 6:8-10). • “Therefore” ties the gift to a clear purpose, echoing Proverbs 3:9, “Honor the LORD with your wealth,” and prefiguring the New-Testament call to use offerings for ministry (2 Corinthians 9:8-11). • The text assumes absolute confidence that the funds will reach Jerusalem intact; behind that confidence stands God’s providence (Philippians 4:19). you are to buy as many bulls, rams, and lambs as needed The command specifies the animals prescribed for burnt and fellowship offerings in the Law (Leviticus 1:3-13; 3:1-17). • Bulls—costly, symbolizing full consecration (Numbers 7:15-17). • Rams—linked with substitution and atonement (Genesis 22:13; Leviticus 8:18). • Lambs—recalling Passover deliverance (Exodus 12:3-13; John 1:29). By saying “as many…as needed,” Artaxerxes lets the law, not the budget, determine worship volume—an echo of David’s resolve, “I will not offer…that which costs me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). together with their grain offerings and drink offerings Worship is not piecemeal; every animal sacrifice is to be accompanied by its required cereal and wine portions (Numbers 15:4-10). • Grain offerings express gratitude for daily provision (Leviticus 2:1-16). • Drink offerings symbolize joy and covenant fellowship (Genesis 35:14; Philippians 2:17). Including these reminds us that God wants whole-life devotion—substance and celebration, body and spirit. and offer them on the altar The altar is the God-appointed meeting place where sin is covered and fellowship restored (Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22). • No private shortcuts; even royal money submits to God’s ordained means. • The offering is active worship, not a mere transaction—“present your bodies as a living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1). • Fire on the altar had first come from God Himself (Leviticus 9:24), stressing that true worship is always God-initiated. at the house of your God in Jerusalem Location matters. God chose Jerusalem for His Name (1 Kings 9:3; 2 Chronicles 7:16). • By calling it “your God,” Artaxerxes acknowledges Israel’s unique covenant relationship without claiming it for Persia—a subtle testimony to God’s exclusivity (Isaiah 45:5-6). • Centralizing worship guards purity, preventing the drift into unauthorized sites that plagued earlier generations (Deuteronomy 12:5-14; 2 Kings 17:9-12). • For believers today, the “house” ultimately points to Christ’s body (John 2:19-22) and to the gathered church, “a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). summary Ezra 7:17 shows royal resources funneled into wholehearted, Law-guided worship in the very place God designated. The verse underlines God’s sovereign provision, the comprehensive nature of true sacrifice, and the centrality of the temple. It calls believers to steward God-given resources for reverent, complete, God-centered worship, trusting that He still supplies all we need for His glory. (17) Buy speedily.--Provide first of all for the sacrificial ceremonial. Every sacrifice had its own meat-offerings and drink-offerings (Numbers 15). These phrases in the commission of course Ezra dictated.Verse 17. - That thou mayest buy speedily with this money bullocks, etc. The primary application of the money sent by Ezra was to be the maintenance of the Jewish ritual in its full splendour (compare the decree of Darius, Ezra 6:9, 10). The residue was, however, to be employed in any way that Ezra, acting under Divine guidance, might direct (see below, ver. 18). Apparently, this residue was actually employed on beautifying the temple (see ver. 27).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew With thisדְנָ֗ה (ḏə·nāh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 1836: This money, בְּכַסְפָּ֣א (bə·ḵas·pā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 3702: Silver, money therefore, דְּנָה֩ (də·nāh) Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 1836: This you are to buy תִקְנֵ֜א (ṯiq·nê) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7066: To acquire, buy as many bulls, תּוֹרִ֤ין ׀ (tō·w·rîn) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8450: A bullock rams, דִּכְרִין֙ (diḵ·rîn) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1798: A male, of sheep and lambs אִמְּרִ֔ין (’im·mə·rîn) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 563: A lamb as needed, אָסְפַּ֨רְנָא (’ā·sə·par·nā) Adverb Strong's 629: Thoroughly, with (all) diligence together with their grain offerings וּמִנְחָתְה֖וֹן (ū·min·ḥā·ṯə·hō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 4504: A sacrificial offering and drink offerings, וְנִסְכֵּיה֑וֹן (wə·nis·kê·hō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 5261: A drink offering and offer וּתְקָרֵ֣ב (ū·ṯə·qā·rêḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7127: To approach them הִמּ֔וֹ (him·mōw) Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1994: They on עַֽל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5922: Above, over, upon, against the altar מַדְבְּחָ֔ה (maḏ·bə·ḥāh) Noun - masculine singular determinate Strong's 4056: A sacrificial altar at the house בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1005: A house of your God אֱלָהֲכֹ֖ם (’ĕ·lā·hă·ḵōm) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 426: God in Jerusalem. בִירוּשְׁלֶֽם׃ (ḇî·rū·šə·lem) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3390: Jerusalem -- the capital city of all Israel Links Ezra 7:17 NIVEzra 7:17 NLT Ezra 7:17 ESV Ezra 7:17 NASB Ezra 7:17 KJV Ezra 7:17 BibleApps.com Ezra 7:17 Biblia Paralela Ezra 7:17 Chinese Bible Ezra 7:17 French Bible Ezra 7:17 Catholic Bible OT History: Ezra 7:17 Therefore you shall with all diligence buy (Ezr. 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