Ezra 8:35

Authorized King James Version

Also 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

הַ֠בָּאִים

H935

which were come out

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֵֽהַשְּׁבִ֨י

H7628

of the captivity

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

בְנֵֽי

H1121

Also the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַגּוֹלָ֜ה

H1473

of those that had been carried away

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

הִקְרִ֥יבוּ

H7126

offered

to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose

עוֹלָ֥ה

H5930

all this was a burnt offering

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

לֵֽאלֹהֵ֣י

H430

unto the God

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

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

for all Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

פָּרִ֨ים

H6499

bullocks

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

#10

שְׁנֵ֣ים

H8147

twelve

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

#11

עָשָׂ֤ר

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

#12

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#13

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#14

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

for all Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#15

אֵילִ֣ים׀

H352

rams

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

#16

תִּשְׁעִ֣ים

H8673

ninety

#17

וְשִׁשָּׁ֗ה

H8337

and six

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

#18

כְּבָשִׂים֙

H3532

lambs

a ram (just old enough to butt)

#19

שִׁבְעִ֣ים

H7657

seventy

#20

וְשִׁבְעָ֔ה

H7651

and seven

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

#21

צְפִירֵ֥י

H6842

he goats

a male goat (as prancing)

#22

חַטָּ֖את

H2403

for a sin offering

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

#23

שְׁנֵ֣ים

H8147

twelve

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

#24

עָשָׂ֑ר

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

#25

הַכֹּ֖ל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#26

עוֹלָ֥ה

H5930

all this was a burnt offering

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

#27

לַֽיהוָֽה׃

H3068

unto the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezra Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?