Ezra 8:35
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.
Ezra 8:35 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, we see the returned exiles from Babylon offering burnt offerings to the Lord. This act of sacrifice was a way for the people to express their gratitude and devotion to God after being allowed to return to their homeland from captivity. The number and type of animals offered in this verse hold symbolic significance. The twelve bullocks represent the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the unity of the nation in worship. The ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve goats were all offered as burnt offerings, symbolizing the people's desire to fully dedicate themselves to God and seek forgiveness for their sins. This verse emphasizes the importance of sacrificial worship in the Israelite religion and highlights the people's commitment to following God's commandments even after enduring hardships and exile. It serves as a reminder of the importance of expressing gratitude and seeking forgiveness through acts of worship and devotion.
Theological Overview
Upon examining the theological interpretation of this verse, we see a significant act of worship and dedication by the children of those who had been in captivity. The offering of burnt sacrifices symbolizes the complete devotion and surrender of the people to God. The offering of twelve bullocks for all Israel represents the unity and solidarity of the nation before the Lord. The ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve he goats further demonstrate the abundance and sincerity of the sacrifices being made. The he goats specifically were offered for a sin offering, showing the acknowledgement of the people's need for atonement and forgiveness. Overall, this verse illustrates the deep reverence and commitment of the returning exiles to the God of Israel, as they express their gratitude and seek restoration through these offerings.
Ezra 8:35 in other translations
American Standard Version
The children of the captivity, that were come out of exile, 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 Jehovah.
World English Bible
The children of the captivity, who had come out of exile, offered burnt offerings to the God of Israel, twelve bulls for all Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve male goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering to Yahweh.
Douay-Rheims
Moreover the children of them that had been carried away that were come out of the captivity, offered holocausts to the God of Israel, twelve calves for all the people of Israel, ninety-six rams, seventy-seven lambs, and twelve he goats for sin: all for a holocaust to the Lord.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also the children of the captiuitie, which were come out of captiuitie, offred burnt offrings vnto the God of Israel, twelue bullockes for all Israel, ninetie and sixe rammes, seuentie and seuen lambes, and twelue hee goates for sinne: all was a burnt offring of the Lord.