Ezra 8:33
Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;
Original Language Analysis
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 26
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַכֶּסֶף֩
was the silver
H3701
הַכֶּסֶף֩
was the silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
4 of 26
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְהַזָּהָ֨ב
and the gold
H2091
וְהַזָּהָ֨ב
and the gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
5 of 26
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וְהַכֵּלִ֜ים
and the vessels
H3627
וְהַכֵּלִ֜ים
and the vessels
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
6 of 26
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
בְּבֵ֣ית
in the house
H1004
בְּבֵ֣ית
in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
7 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ
of our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ
of our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 26
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
עַ֠ל
H5921
עַ֠ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יַד
by the hand
H3027
יַד
by the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
10 of 26
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֽוּרִיָּה֙
of Uriah
H223
אֽוּרִיָּה֙
of Uriah
Strong's:
H223
Word #:
13 of 26
urijah, the name of one hittite and five israelites
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
14 of 26
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְעִמּ֖וֹ
H5973
וְעִמּ֖וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
15 of 26
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֶלְעָזָ֣ר
and with him was Eleazar
H499
אֶלְעָזָ֣ר
and with him was Eleazar
Strong's:
H499
Word #:
16 of 26
elazar, the name of seven israelites
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
17 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְעִמָּהֶ֞ם
H5973
וְעִמָּהֶ֞ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
19 of 26
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יֽוֹזָבָ֧ד
and with them was Jozabad
H3107
יֽוֹזָבָ֧ד
and with them was Jozabad
Strong's:
H3107
Word #:
20 of 26
jozabad, the name of ten israelites
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
21 of 26
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יֵשׁ֛וּעַ
of Jeshua
H3442
יֵשׁ֛וּעַ
of Jeshua
Strong's:
H3442
Word #:
22 of 26
jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine
וְנֽוֹעַדְיָ֥ה
and Noadiah
H5129
וְנֽוֹעַדְיָ֥ה
and Noadiah
Strong's:
H5129
Word #:
23 of 26
noadjah, the name of an israelite, and a false prophetess
Cross References
Nehemiah 3:4And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.Nehemiah 3:21After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.Ezra 8:30So took the priests and the Levites the weight of the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, to bring them to Jerusalem unto the house of our God.
Historical Context
Meremoth appears again rebuilding Jerusalem's wall (Nehemiah 3:4, 21), showing he was trusted leader in the restoration community. The involvement of multiple witnesses from different priestly/Levitical families prevented any single clan from controlling the narrative about the treasure's arrival and distribution. This transparency protected against later disputes and ensured the entire religious establishment collectively validated the transaction. The pattern mirrors ancient Near Eastern legal contracts requiring multiple witnesses.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the careful recording of witnesses' names and genealogies teach about accountability in ministry leadership?
- How does conducting the formal accounting 'in the house of our God' transform financial transaction into worship?
- In what ways should modern church leadership ensure transparency through multi-party witness in financial matters?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God—the בַּיּוֹם הָרְבִיעִי (bayyom harevi'i, on the fourth day) references the three-day rest period (v. 32). The וַיִּשָּׁקֵל (vayyishshaqel, was weighed) fulfills Ezra's command in v. 29 for public accounting before Jerusalem leadership. The בְּבֵית אֱלֹהֵינוּ (b'veit Eloheinu, in the house of our God—the temple) location sanctifies the transaction, making it worship offering, not mere asset transfer.
By the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas—עַל־יַד מְרֵמוֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּה הַכֹּהֵן (al-yad Meremot ben-Uriyyah hakohen, upon the hand of Meremoth son of Uriah the priest). מְרֵמוֹת (Meremot, 'heights/elevations') descended from אוּרִיָּה (Uriyyah, 'Yahweh is my light'), establishing priestly pedigree. אֶלְעָזָר בֶּן־פִּינְחָס (El'azar ben-Pinechas, Eleazar son of Phinehas) invokes illustrious ancestry: Eleazar was Aaron's son (Exodus 6:23), and Phinehas was the zealous priest who stopped plague (Numbers 25:7-13). Naming these priests validates the transaction through recognized religious authority.
And with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites—the inclusion of יוֹזָבָד (Yozavad, 'Yahweh has bestowed') and נוֹעַדְיָה (Noadyah, 'Yahweh has met by appointment'), both Levites, ensures comprehensive witness from both priestly and Levitical orders. The careful recording of genealogies (son of X) authenticates each witness's credentials.