Ezra 6:16

Ezra 6:16 Meaning and Explanation

And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,

King James Version (KJV)

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All the returned people, priests and Levites together, dedicate the finished temple with joy.

What Does Ezra 6:16 Mean?

With the building complete, the whole community, priests, Levites, and all who had returned from exile, gather to dedicate the house of God. The mood is joy. After generations of loss, a place of worship stood again in Jerusalem.

Dedication set the house apart wholly for God's service, and the people's gladness flowed from gratitude. Joy is the natural overflow of a heart that sees what God has done. When the Lord completes His work among His people, the right response is not pride in the labor but rejoicing in the Giver.

Ezra 6:16 in the Original Language

chanukkah (חֲנֻכָּה), 'dedication' -- the setting apart of something for sacred use, consecrating it to God.

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What does Ezra 6:16 mean?

All the returned people, priests and Levites together, dedicate the finished temple with joy.

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