Ezra 6:17
And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וְהַקְרִ֗בוּ
And offered
H7127
וְהַקְרִ֗בוּ
And offered
Strong's:
H7127
Word #:
1 of 23
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
בֵּית
house
H1005
בֵּית
house
Strong's:
H1005
Word #:
3 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
מְאָ֑ה
an hundred
H3969
מְאָ֑ה
an hundred
Strong's:
H3969
Word #:
7 of 23
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
מְאָ֑ה
an hundred
H3969
מְאָ֑ה
an hundred
Strong's:
H3969
Word #:
9 of 23
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
מְאָ֑ה
an hundred
H3969
מְאָ֑ה
an hundred
Strong's:
H3969
Word #:
12 of 23
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
עִזִּ֜ין
goats
H5796
עִזִּ֜ין
goats
Strong's:
H5796
Word #:
14 of 23
a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
לְחַטָּיָ֤א
and for a sin offering
H2402
לְחַטָּיָ֤א
and for a sin offering
Strong's:
H2402
Word #:
15 of 23
an offence, and the penalty or sacrifice for it
עַל
for
H5922
עַל
for
Strong's:
H5922
Word #:
16 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
all
H3606
כָּל
all
Strong's:
H3606
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Ezra 8:35Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.2 Chronicles 7:5And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
Historical Context
The reduced scale of offerings reflected the returned community's modest circumstances—they were a small, poor population in a devastated land. Yet they offered substantially, demonstrating generosity proportionate to means. The twelve goats for all-Israel sin offering maintained theological vision that the northern tribes, though scattered since 722 BC, remained part of covenant people. This hope influenced later expectations about Messiah gathering all dispersed Israelites (Matthew 19:28).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the modest dedication compared to Solomon's reflect realistic assessment of circumstances without abandoning faith in God's presence?
- What does the twelve-tribe sin offering teach about maintaining comprehensive covenant vision despite incomplete present reality?
Analysis & Commentary
The dedication offerings—'an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs'—were substantial but modest compared to Solomon's dedication (1 Kings 8:63: 22,000 oxen, 120,000 sheep). The sin offering of 'twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel' maintained all-Israel identity despite only Judah and Benjamin's numerical dominance. This demonstrated covenant continuity—all twelve tribes remained God's people regardless of present circumstances. The inclusive vision maintained hope for future comprehensive restoration.