Ezra 2:68
New International Version
When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site.

New Living Translation
When they arrived at the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders made voluntary offerings toward the rebuilding of God’s Temple on its original site,

English Standard Version
Some of the heads of families, when they came to the house of the LORD that is in Jerusalem, made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site.

Berean Standard Bible
When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings to rebuild the house of God on its original site.

King James Bible
And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:

New King James Version
Some of the heads of the fathers’ houses, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God, to erect it in its place:

New American Standard Bible
Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they arrived at the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to erect it on its site.

NASB 1995
Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they arrived at the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to restore it on its foundation.

NASB 1977
And some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they arrived at the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to restore it on its foundation.

Legacy Standard Bible
Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they arrived at the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem, gave a freewill offering for the house of God to restore it on its foundation.

Amplified Bible
Some of the heads of the fathers’ households (extended families), when they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, made voluntary contributions for the house of God to rebuild it on its [old] foundation.

Christian Standard Bible
After they arrived at the LORD’s house in Jerusalem, some of the family heads gave freewill offerings for the house of God in order to have it rebuilt on its original site.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After they arrived at the LORD’s house in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders gave freewill offerings for the house of God in order to have it rebuilt on its original site.

American Standard Version
And some of the heads of fathers' houses, when they came to the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place:

Contemporary English Version
When the people came to where the LORD's temple had been in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders gave gifts so it could be rebuilt in the same place.

English Revised Version
And some of the heads of fathers' houses, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When some of the heads of the families came to the LORD's temple in Jerusalem, they contributed freewill offerings to help rebuild God's temple on its [former] site.

Good News Translation
When the exiles arrived at the LORD's Temple in Jerusalem, some of the leaders of the clans gave freewill offerings to help rebuild the Temple on its old site.

International Standard Version
When they arrived at the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families contributed toward building the Temple of God on its former site.

Majority Standard Bible
When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings to rebuild the house of God on its original site.

NET Bible
When they came to the LORD's temple in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders offered voluntary offerings for the temple of God in order to rebuild it on its site.

New Heart English Bible
Some of the heads of ancestral houses, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God's house to set it up in its place:

Webster's Bible Translation
And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in its place:

World English Bible
Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And some of the heads of the fathers in their coming to the house of YHWH that [is] in Jerusalem, have offered willingly for the house of God, to establish it on its base;

Young's Literal Translation
And some of the heads of the fathers in their coming in to the house of Jehovah that is in Jerusalem, have offered willingly for the house of God, to establish it on its base;

Smith's Literal Translation
And from the heads of the fathers in their coming to the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem, gave willingly to the house of God to cause it to stand upon its foundation:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the temple of the Lord, which is in Jerusalem, offered freely to the house of the Lord to build it in its place.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And some of the leaders among the fathers, when they entered into the temple of the Lord, which is in Jerusalem, freely offered some of these to the house of God, in order to construct it in its location.

New American Bible
When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of ancestral houses made voluntary offerings for the house of God, to rebuild it in its place.

New Revised Standard Version
As soon as they came to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of families made freewill offerings for the house of God, to erect it on its site.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And some of the chiefs of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, took counsel concerning the house of the LORD, and they stood firm and were strengthened.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Some of the Chiefs of the fathers, when they entered the house of LORD JEHOVAH that is in Jerusalem, they counseled for the house of LORD JEHOVAH, and they ruled and they were in their army.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And some of the heads of fathers' houses, when they came to the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And some of the chiefs of families, when they went into the house of the Lord that was in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God, to establish it on its prepared place.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Offerings by the Exiles
68When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings to rebuild the house of God on its original site. 69According to their ability, they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priestly garments.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 7:70-72
Some of the heads of the families contributed to the project. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments. / And some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury for the project 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. / The rest of the people gave a total of 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priestly garments.

1 Chronicles 29:6-9
Then the leaders of the families, the officers of the tribes of Israel, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and the officials in charge of the king’s work gave willingly. / Toward the service of God’s house they gave 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron. / Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, under the care of Jehiel the Gershonite. ...

Exodus 35:21-29
And everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its services, and for the holy garments. / So all who had willing hearts, both men and women, came and brought brooches and earrings, rings and necklaces, and all kinds of gold jewelry. And they all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD. / Everyone who had blue, purple, or scarlet yarn, or fine linen, goat hair, ram skins dyed red, or articles of fine leather, brought them. ...

2 Chronicles 24:10-11
All the officers and all the people rejoiced and brought their contributions, and they dropped them in the chest until it was full. / Whenever the chest was brought by the Levites to the king’s overseers and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal scribe and the officer of the high priest would come and empty the chest and carry it back to its place. They did this daily and gathered the money in abundance.

Haggai 1:14
So the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of the LORD of Hosts, their God,

2 Kings 12:4-5
Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD. / Let every priest receive it from his constituency, and let it be used to repair any damage found in the temple.”

2 Chronicles 29:31
Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings.

1 Chronicles 29:17
I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You.

Nehemiah 11:2
And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 8:3-5
For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord, / they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. / And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, through the will of God.

Acts 4:34-37
There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, / and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need. / Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement), ...

Philippians 4:18
I have all I need and more, now that I have received your gifts from Epaphroditus. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Romans 12:8
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Mark 12:41-44
As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd putting money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts. / Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius. / Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place:

offered freely

Exodus 35:5,29
Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, …

Exodus 36:3
And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, to make it withal. And they brought yet unto him free offerings every morning.

Numbers 7:3
And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.

etc.

Psalm 110:3
Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

Luke 21:1-4
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury…

2 Corinthians 8:3,12
For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; …

in his place

Ezra 3:3
And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.

1 Chronicles 21:18
Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

1 Chronicles 22:1
Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.

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Arrived Base Building Chief Erect Establish Families Fathers Foundation Freely Freewill Heads House Households Houses Jerusalem Offered Offerings Restore Site Wealth Willingly
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Ezra 2
1. The number that return of the people
36. of the priests
40. of the Levites
43. of the Nethinims
55. of Solomon's servants
61. of the priests who could not show their pedigree
64. The whole number of them, with their substance
68. Their offerings














When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem
This phrase marks the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, a significant event in Jewish history. The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The return was led by Zerubbabel and was a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their land (Jeremiah 29:10). Jerusalem, the spiritual and political center of Israel, was crucial for the re-establishment of Jewish worship and identity.

some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings
The "heads of the families" were leaders among the returning exiles, responsible for guiding their clans. Their giving of "freewill offerings" indicates a voluntary and generous spirit, reflecting their devotion and gratitude to God. This act of giving is reminiscent of the contributions made for the construction of the original tabernacle (Exodus 35:29). It underscores the importance of willing and heartfelt participation in God's work.

to rebuild the house of God on its original site
The rebuilding of the temple was essential for the restoration of proper worship and the sacrificial system, central to Jewish religious life. The phrase "on its original site" emphasizes continuity with the past, as the temple was to be rebuilt where Solomon's temple once stood. This act of restoration was not just physical but also spiritual, symbolizing the renewal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. The rebuilding effort is a precursor to the coming of Christ, who would later refer to His body as the temple (John 2:19-21), indicating the ultimate fulfillment of God's presence among His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Heads of the Families
These were the leaders or patriarchs of the returning exiles who took responsibility for their families and communities. They played a crucial role in the restoration of worship and the rebuilding of the temple.

2. House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was the central place of worship for the Israelites. It had been destroyed by the Babylonians and was now being rebuilt.

3. Jerusalem
The holy city of the Israelites, which held significant religious and cultural importance. It was the location of the temple and the center of Jewish worship.

4. Freewill Offerings
Voluntary contributions given by the people for the purpose of rebuilding the temple. These offerings were given out of devotion and commitment to God.

5. Rebuilding of the House of God
This event marks the beginning of the restoration of the temple, symbolizing the renewal of the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Teaching Points
Generosity in Worship
The act of giving freewill offerings highlights the importance of generosity as an expression of worship. Believers are encouraged to give willingly and joyfully to support the work of God.

Leadership and Responsibility
The heads of the families took initiative in giving, setting an example for others. This teaches the importance of leadership in spiritual and communal matters.

Restoration and Renewal
The rebuilding of the temple signifies a new beginning and a renewal of faith. Believers can find hope in God's ability to restore and renew what has been broken.

Commitment to God's Work
The dedication to rebuilding the temple reflects a commitment to God's purposes. Christians are called to be committed to the mission and work of the church.

Community Involvement
The collective effort in giving and rebuilding emphasizes the role of community in achieving God's plans. Believers are encouraged to work together in unity for the kingdom of God.(68) They came to the site of the house not yet built, and offered for the building.

Verse 68. - Some of the chief of the fathers. That is, "Some of the heads of families." Each family went up under a recognized head or chief, the number of such heads being, as it would seem, nearly a hundred (vers. 3-61). When they came to the house of the Lord. No doubt considerable ruins of Solomon's temple existed when the exiles returned, and were easily to be recognized, both by their situation and by the size of the stones employed (1 Kings 5:17). The place occupied by these rums was that whereto the emigrants flocked, and about which they, in the first instance, located themselves. Offered freely for the house of God, to set it up in its place. The first object of the returned exiles was the rebuilding of the temple, and their offerings were consequently given expressly towards the expenses of this costly work.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When they arrived
בְּבוֹאָ֕ם (bə·ḇō·w·’ām)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

at the house
לְבֵ֥ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

in Jerusalem,
בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (bî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

[some] of the heads
וּמֵרָאשֵׁי֙ (ū·mê·rā·šê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of the families
הָֽאָב֔וֹת (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

gave freewill offerings
הִֽתְנַדְּבוּ֙ (hiṯ·nad·də·ḇū)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5068: To impel, to volunteer, to present spontaneously

to rebuild
לְהַעֲמִיד֖וֹ (lə·ha·‘ă·mî·ḏōw)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

the house
לְבֵ֣ית (lə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

its original site.
מְכוֹנֽוֹ׃ (mə·ḵō·w·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4349: A fixture, a basis, a place, as an abode


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OT History: Ezra 2:68 Some of the heads of fathers' houses (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 2:67
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