Ezra 2:69

Authorized King James Version

They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כְּכֹחָ֗ם
after their ability
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
#2
נָֽתְנוּ֮
They gave
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#3
לְאוֹצַ֣ר
unto the treasure
a depository
#4
הַמְּלָאכָה֒
of the work
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#5
זָהָ֗ב
of gold
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
#6
דַּרְכְּמוֹנִים֙
drams
a 'drachma', or coin
#7
שֵׁשׁ
threescore
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#8
רִבֹּ֣אות
a myriad, i.e., indefinitely, large number
#9
אֲלָפִ֑ים
and one thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#10
וְכֶ֕סֶף
of silver
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
#11
מָנִ֖ים
pound
properly, a fixed weight or measured amount, i.e., (technically) a maneh or mina
#12
חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת
and five
five
#13
אֲלָפִ֑ים
and one thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#14
וְכָתְנֹ֥ת
garments
a shirt
#15
כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#16
מֵאָֽה׃
and one hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezra. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection