Ezra 8:35 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The returned exiles offer burnt offerings and a sin offering to the God of Israel for all the people.
What Does Ezra 8:35 Mean?
Having arrived and delivered the treasure, the returned exiles turn at once to worship, offering burnt offerings to the God of Israel. The numbers carry meaning: twelve bulls and twelve goats for all twelve tribes, with rams and lambs, and a sin offering to make atonement.
Their first response in Jerusalem is sacrifice, not celebration of self. The twelve offerings embrace the whole nation, expressing that the remnant prays and worships on behalf of all Israel. The sin offering acknowledges their need for cleansing, and the burnt offering, wholly consumed, declares their lives given back entirely to God who had brought them home. In such sacrifice the longing for atonement is foreshadowed that finds its fulfillment in the one perfect offering of Christ.
Ezra 8:35 in the Original Language
olah (עֹלָה), 'burnt offering' -- a sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, signifying complete surrender to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 8:35
What does Ezra 8:35 mean?
The returned exiles offer burnt offerings and a sin offering to the God of Israel for all the people.