Ezra 6:9 Study Bible: That which they have need of, both young bulls, 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 who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;

◄ 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.

Study Bible

Whatever is needed—young bulls, rams, and lambs for burnt offerings to the God of heaven
This phrase highlights the provision for sacrificial offerings, which were central to the worship practices in the temple. Young bulls, rams, and lambs were commonly used in burnt offerings, as outlined in Leviticus 1. These offerings symbolized atonement and dedication to God. The mention of "the God of heaven" underscores the recognition of God's sovereignty and aligns with the post-exilic emphasis on monotheism. This provision reflects the Persian king's respect for the Jewish faith and his desire to support their religious practices.

as well as wheat, salt, wine, and oil
These items were essential for the grain offerings and drink offerings that accompanied the burnt offerings, as described in Leviticus 2 and Numbers 15. Wheat was used for grain offerings, symbolizing sustenance and thanksgiving. Salt was a covenantal symbol, representing purity and preservation (Leviticus 2:13). Wine was used in drink offerings, signifying joy and celebration (Numbers 15:5-10). Oil was used in anointing and as a component of grain offerings, symbolizing the Holy Spirit and consecration (Exodus 30:25-30).

as requested by the priests in Jerusalem
The priests in Jerusalem were responsible for the temple services and ensuring that the offerings were made according to the Law of Moses. Their request for these provisions indicates their active role in restoring proper worship after the Babylonian exile. This also reflects the cooperation between the Persian authorities and the Jewish religious leaders, facilitating the rebuilding of the temple and the reestablishment of worship.

must be given to them daily without fail
The phrase emphasizes the regularity and reliability of the provision. Daily offerings were a crucial aspect of the temple worship, as seen in Exodus 29:38-42, where daily sacrifices were commanded. This regular provision ensured that the worship of God continued uninterrupted, highlighting the importance of faithfulness in religious duties. The phrase "without fail" underscores the commitment to maintaining the covenant relationship with God and the support of the Persian empire in this religious endeavor.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Darius the King
The Persian king who issued the decree to support the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

2. Priests in Jerusalem
The religious leaders responsible for conducting sacrifices and maintaining the temple worship.

3. The Temple in Jerusalem
The central place of worship for the Jewish people, which was being rebuilt after the Babylonian exile.

4. Burnt Offerings
Sacrifices made to God, symbolizing atonement and dedication.

5. Supplies (Wheat, Salt, Wine, Oil)
Essential items for the offerings and daily temple rituals.

Teaching Points

God's Provision for Worship
God ensures that His people have what they need to worship Him properly. This reflects His care and provision for our spiritual needs.

The Importance of Obedience
The decree by King Darius shows the importance of following God's commands and supporting His work. We are called to obey and support God's mission today.

Daily Commitment to God
The daily provision for offerings reminds us of the need for a consistent, daily commitment to God in our lives.

Community Support in Worship
The community's role in providing for the temple worship highlights the importance of supporting one another in our faith journeys.

Symbolism of Sacrifices
The sacrifices point to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, encouraging us to live lives of gratitude and dedication.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the provision of supplies for the temple worship in Ezra 6:9 reflect God's care for His people?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our daily lives reflect a commitment to God similar to the daily offerings in the temple?

3. How can the community of believers today support one another in worship and spiritual growth, as seen in the support for the temple?

4. What does the symbolism of the sacrifices in Ezra 6:9 teach us about the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ?

5. How can we apply the principle of obedience to God's commands in our personal and communal lives today?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 2:13
Discusses the use of salt in offerings, highlighting its covenantal significance.

Exodus 29:38-42
Details the daily offerings, connecting to the provision of animals for sacrifices.

Philippians 4:19
Relates to God's provision for needs, as seen in the support for temple worship.

1 Kings 8:62-64
Solomon's dedication of the temple, emphasizing the importance of offerings.

Hebrews 10:1-10
Discusses the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Christ, providing a New Testament perspective.

Sermons

Some Useful Things	J.S. Exell	Ezra 6:1-12
The Decree of Darius	J.A. Macdonald	Ezra 6:6-13
The Scriptural Warrant for an Established Church	H. M'Neile, M. A.	Ezra 6:8-11
Sacrifice as a Rule of Supplication unto God	J. Mede, B. D.	Ezra 6:9-10

People

Apharesachites, Apharsachites, Artaxerxes, Cyrus, Darius, Haggai, Iddo, Levites, Nebuchadnezzar, Shethar, Shetharboznai, Tatnai, Zechariah

Places

Assyria, Babylon, Babylonia, Beyond the River, Ecbatana, Jerusalem, Media, Persia

Topics

Anointing, Appointment, Bullocks, Bulls, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offerings, Daily, Fail, Grain, Heaven, Heavens, Jerusalem, Lambs, Male, Necessary, Needed, Needing, Offering, Offerings, Oil, Oxen, Priests, Rams, Regularly, Request, Requested, Require, Salt, Saying, Sheep, Whatever, Wheat, Wine

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Ezra 6:9

     4488   oil
     4542   wheat
     8262   generosity, human

Ezra 6:6-10

4357 salt

Ezra 6:8-10

4544 wine

Ezra 6:9-10

4615 bull

Library

God the Joy-Bringer
'They kept the feast ... seven days with joy; for the Lord had made them joyful.'--EZRA vi. 22. Twenty years of hard work and many disappointments and dangers had at last, for the Israelites returning from the captivity, been crowned by the completion of the Temple. It was a poor affair as compared with the magnificent house that had stood upon Zion; and so some of them 'despised the day of small things.' They were ringed about by enemies; they were feeble in themselves; there was a great deal to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The New Temple and Its Worship
'And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo: and they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16. And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The "Fraternity" of Pharisees
To realise the state of religious society at the time of our Lord, the fact that the Pharisees were a regular "order," and that there were many such "fraternities," in great measure the outcome of the original Pharisees, must always be kept in view. For the New Testament simply transports us among contemporary scenes and actors, taking the then existent state of things, so to speak, for granted. But the fact referred to explains many seemingly strange circumstances, and casts fresh light upon all. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Johannine Writings
BY the Johannine writings are meant the Apocalypse and the fourth gospel, as well as the three catholic epistles to which the name of John is traditionally attached. It is not possible to enter here into a review of the critical questions connected with them, and especially into the question of their authorship. The most recent criticism, while it seems to bring the traditional authorship into greater uncertainty, approaches more nearly than was once common to the position of tradition in another …
James Denney—The Death of Christ

Brave Encouragements
'In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the Lord by the prophet Haggai, saying, 2. Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3. Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? 4. Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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