Ezra 2:68
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:
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The First Return from Babylonian Exile
Ezra 2 records the historic return of Jewish exiles under Zerubbabel's leadership in 538 BC, following Cyrus the Great's decree permitting the rebuilding of Jerusalem's temple (Ezra 1:1-4). Approximately 50,000 people made the arduous 900-mile journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, arriving to find their ancestral city in ruins after nearly 50 years of desolation.
The temple, Solomon's magnificent structure destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC, had been the center of Jewish worship and national identity. Its destruction symbolized God's judgment and Israel's exile. Now, standing before the ruined site, the returning leaders faced an overwhelming reconstruction task. Their voluntary offerings (detailed in verse 69 as 61,000 drams of gold and 5,000 pounds of silver) demonstrated faith that God would restore what had been lost. This moment parallels other Scripture passages where leaders give first—like David's contributions for the temple (1 Chronicles 29:1-9)—inspiring the people to follow their example of generous worship.
Questions for Reflection
- What motivated these leaders to give freely when they themselves were returning from exile with limited resources?
- How does their immediate generosity upon seeing the ruined temple challenge our own responses to God's work?
- Why is voluntary giving more pleasing to God than compulsory contributions?
- What does it mean to establish God's house 'in his place' both physically and spiritually in our lives today?
- How can church leaders today model sacrificial generosity that inspires others to support God's work?
Analysis & Commentary
Voluntary Offerings for God's House
This verse captures a remarkable moment of sacrificial generosity: the leaders (roshei ha'avot, "heads of the fathers") giving freely (hitnaddavu—from the root nadav, meaning "to volunteer" or "offer willingly") for the rebuilding of the temple. The phrase "offered freely" emphasizes the spontaneous, cheerful nature of their giving—not compelled by law but motivated by love for God's house.
The location is significant: "when they came to the house of the LORD which is at Jerusalem." Though the temple lay in ruins after Babylonian destruction (586 BC), the site itself remained holy. Standing on the desolate temple mount, these leaders envisioned restoration and opened their treasuries. Their goal was clear: "to set it up in his place" (lehaamido al-mekono), restoring God's dwelling to its proper location.
This voluntary giving prefigures the New Testament principle that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). These leaders didn't wait for a building program or fundraising campaign; confronted with the ruined house of God, they immediately responded with generosity. Their example demonstrates that material resources become sacred when dedicated to establishing God's presence among His people.