Ezra 5:14
And the vessels also of gold and silver of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one, whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠אַף
also
H638
וְ֠אַף
also
Strong's:
H638
Word #:
1 of 34
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
דִּ֥י
of
H1768
דִּ֥י
of
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
3 of 34
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
בֵית
of the house
H1005
בֵית
of the house
Strong's:
H1005
Word #:
4 of 34
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
דִּ֥י
of
H1768
דִּ֥י
of
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
6 of 34
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
דִּ֥י
of
H1768
דִּ֥י
of
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
9 of 34
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר
which Nebuchadnezzar
H5020
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר
which Nebuchadnezzar
Strong's:
H5020
Word #:
10 of 34
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
מִן
out of
H4481
מִן
out of
Strong's:
H4481
Word #:
12 of 34
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
הֵֽיכְלָא֙
the temple
H1965
הֵֽיכְלָא֙
the temple
Strong's:
H1965
Word #:
13 of 34
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
דִּ֥י
of
H1768
דִּ֥י
of
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
14 of 34
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
הֵֽיכְלָא֙
the temple
H1965
הֵֽיכְלָא֙
the temple
Strong's:
H1965
Word #:
18 of 34
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
דִּ֥י
of
H1768
דִּ֥י
of
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
19 of 34
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
בָבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H895
בָבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H895
Word #:
20 of 34
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
מִן
out of
H4481
מִן
out of
Strong's:
H4481
Word #:
25 of 34
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
הֵֽיכְלָא֙
the temple
H1965
הֵֽיכְלָא֙
the temple
Strong's:
H1965
Word #:
26 of 34
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
דִּ֥י
of
H1768
דִּ֥י
of
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
27 of 34
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
בָבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
H895
בָבֶ֔ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H895
Word #:
28 of 34
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וִיהִ֙יבוּ֙
and they were delivered
H3052
וִיהִ֙יבוּ֙
and they were delivered
Strong's:
H3052
Word #:
29 of 34
to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come
לְשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֣ר
was Sheshbazzar
H8340
לְשֵׁשְׁבַּצַּ֣ר
was Sheshbazzar
Strong's:
H8340
Word #:
30 of 34
sheshbatstsar, zerubbabel's persian name
שְׁמֵ֔הּ
unto one whose name
H8036
שְׁמֵ֔הּ
unto one whose name
Strong's:
H8036
Word #:
31 of 34
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
דִּ֥י
of
H1768
דִּ֥י
of
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
32 of 34
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
Cross References
Ezra 6:5And also let the golden and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to his place, and place them in the house of God.Jeremiah 52:19And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.Ezra 5:16Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundation of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now hath it been in building, and yet it is not finished.
Historical Context
Sheshbazzar appears only here and in Ezra 1:8-11 as the initial leader of the return. His relationship to Zerubbabel remains debated: some identify them as the same person (Babylonian vs. Hebrew names), while others see Sheshbazzar as an older relative who died early, with Zerubbabel assuming leadership. The title "governor" indicates Persian-appointed authority over the Judean province, making temple reconstruction an official imperial project.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the return of the temple vessels symbolize complete restoration after judgment, and what does this teach about God's thoroughness in redemption?
- Why was establishing proper administrative authorization important for the long-term success of the restoration project?
Analysis & Commentary
The return of temple vessels provided tangible proof of Cyrus's decree. These vessels—sacred implements Nebuchadnezzar had plundered and placed in Babylonian temples (Daniel 1:2; 5:2-3)—symbolized Israel's humiliation. Their restoration reversed that shame. The movement from "temple of Babylon" to "temple that was in Jerusalem" illustrated God's sovereignty over sacred objects and human empires.
Sheshbazzar's appointment as governor (pechah) gave the restoration official Persian sanction. His Babylonian name (possibly meaning "Shamash protect the father") masked his Davidic lineage as Zerubbabel's predecessor or possibly an alternative name. The vessels' transfer through proper administrative channels—from Persian treasury to appointed governor—established unassailable legal precedent.