Ezra 6:5
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠אַף
And also
H638
וְ֠אַף
And also
Strong's:
H638
Word #:
1 of 25
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
בְּבֵ֥ית
of the house
H1005
בְּבֵ֥ית
of the house
Strong's:
H1005
Word #:
3 of 25
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
דִּ֣י
H1768
דִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
5 of 25
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
דִּ֣י
H1768
דִּ֣י
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
8 of 25
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 #:
9 of 25
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
מִן
out of
H4481
מִן
out of
Strong's:
H4481
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of
לְהֵֽיכְלָ֤א
the temple
H1965
לְהֵֽיכְלָ֤א
the temple
Strong's:
H1965
Word #:
12 of 25
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
דִֽי
H1768
דִֽי
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
13 of 25
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
לְבָבֶ֑ל
unto Babylon
H895
לְבָבֶ֑ל
unto Babylon
Strong's:
H895
Word #:
16 of 25
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
יַֽהֲתִיב֗וּן
be restored
H8421
יַֽהֲתִיב֗וּן
be restored
Strong's:
H8421
Word #:
17 of 25
specifically (transitive and ellip.) to reply
לְהֵֽיכְלָ֤א
the temple
H1965
לְהֵֽיכְלָ֤א
the temple
Strong's:
H1965
Word #:
19 of 25
a large public building, such as a palace or temple
דִי
H1768
דִי
Strong's:
H1768
Word #:
20 of 25
that, used as relative conjunction, and especially (with a preposition) in adverbial phrases; also as preposition of
וְתַחֵ֖ת
and place
H5182
וְתַחֵ֖ת
and place
Strong's:
H5182
Word #:
23 of 25
to descend; causatively, to bring away, deposit, depose
Cross References
Daniel 5:2Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.Ezra 5:14And 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;Jeremiah 27:16Also I spake to the priests and to all this people, saying, Thus saith the LORD; Hearken not to the words of your prophets that prophesy unto you, saying, Behold, the vessels of the LORD'S house shall now shortly be brought again from Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.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.2 Kings 24:13And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.2 Chronicles 36:10And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
Historical Context
The vessels' journey: taken by Nebuchadnezzar (586 BC), placed in Babylonian temples (profaned by Belshazzar, Daniel 5:2-4), preserved through regime change, returned by Cyrus (538 BC), and now officially reaffirmed by Darius (520 BC). This forty-six-year odyssey demonstrates God's sovereignty over sacred objects and His determination that worship be properly constituted. Some vessels dated to Solomon's original temple (nearly 400 years old).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the vessels' preservation and restoration teach about God's faithfulness to seemingly small details of covenant relationship?
- How does the command to restore specific vessels demonstrate that God cares about worship's proper form, not just general religious sentiment?
Analysis & Commentary
The command to return 'the vessels... which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem' completes the restoration cycle. These vessels symbolized covenant continuity—their seizure represented defeat, their return vindication. The order that they 'be restored, and brought again unto the temple which is at Jerusalem' demonstrates divine faithfulness across generations. What seemed permanently lost God sovereignly preserved and restored in His timing.