Ezra 2:69
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.
Original Language Analysis
כְּכֹחָ֗ם
after their ability
H3581
כְּכֹחָ֗ם
after their ability
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
1 of 16
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
נָֽתְנוּ֮
They gave
H5414
נָֽתְנוּ֮
They gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הַמְּלָאכָה֒
of the work
H4399
הַמְּלָאכָה֒
of the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
4 of 16
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
זָהָ֗ב
of gold
H2091
זָהָ֗ב
of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
5 of 16
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
שֵׁשׁ
threescore
H8337
שֵׁשׁ
threescore
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
7 of 16
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
רִבֹּ֣אות
H7239
אֲלָפִ֑ים
and one thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֑ים
and one thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
9 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְכֶ֕סֶף
of silver
H3701
וְכֶ֕סֶף
of silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
10 of 16
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
מָנִ֖ים
pound
H4488
מָנִ֖ים
pound
Strong's:
H4488
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, a fixed weight or measured amount, i.e., (technically) a maneh or mina
אֲלָפִ֑ים
and one thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֑ים
and one thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
13 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
One gold dram (daric) equaled approximately one-fourth ounce; 61,000 drams equals about 1,100 pounds of gold. Five thousand pounds of silver represents massive wealth. These voluntary offerings funded temple construction and operation. The willingness to give sacrificially after the arduous journey and facing settlement challenges demonstrates genuine devotion. The priests' garments enabled immediate resumption of sacrificial service. Such generosity testified to faith that God would bless covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does giving 'after their ability' establish the biblical principle of proportionate rather than uniform contributions?
- What does sacrificial giving immediately upon arrival teach about priorities—worship before personal comfort?
Analysis & Commentary
The voluntary offerings: '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.' The phrase 'after their ability' shows proportionate giving based on resources. The amounts—61,000 gold drams and 5,000 pounds of silver—represent enormous wealth. The priests' garments shows attention to worship necessities. This generous giving demonstrated commitment to restoring proper temple worship.