And to carry the silver and gold, which the king and his counsellors have freely offered unto the God of Israel, whose habitation is in Jerusalem,
And to carry the silver and gold that the king and his advisors have willingly given as offerings to the God of Israel, whose dwelling place is in Jerusalem,
The writer is describing how the Persian king and his officials generously donated silver and gold to support the worship of Israel's God in Jerusalem.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Ezra, the Jewish people were returning from exile in Babylon under the Persian Empire, with Ezra, a priest and scribe, leading a mission to restore worship in Jerusalem. King Artaxerxes issued a decree providing silver and gold as offerings for the temple, reflecting the Persian policy of supporting religious practices among subject peoples. This event highlights the fulfillment of God's promises to restore His people after the Babylonian captivity.
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