Ezra 6:17

“And offered, at the dedication of this house of God, an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, etc.] Hecatombs of various sorts, which were always reckoned grand sacrifices, even among Heathens, of which Homer sometimes speaks; some of these were for burnt offerings, and others peace offerings, by way of thankfulness to God for the finishing of the temple; part of which belonging to the offerers, they feasted upon it with great gladness of heart: and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel; for though the ten tribes were carried captive by Shalmaneser, yet, as before observed, there were some of them that remained…”

“twelve he-goats--as at the dedication of the tabernacle (Num 7:87; Num 8:17).”

“Compare with this modest sacrifice, which suits well “the day of small things” Zechariah 4:10, the lavish offering of Solomon (see the marginal reference “n”). return to 'Top of Page'”

“6:17 12 male goats . . . a sin offering: This blood sacrifice brought God’s forgiveness for unintentional sins, ceremonial uncleanness, or thoughtless wrong acts (Lev 4–5). Similar sacrifices were offered when Moses dedicated the Tabernacle (Num 7) and when Solomon dedicated the first Temple (2 Chr 7:1, 4). • for the twelve tribes of Israel: Although most returnees were from Judah and Benjamin (Ezra 1:5; 4:1), people from the priestly tribe of Levi are also mentioned (1:5; 2:40, 70). It is also likely that there were returnees from some of the ten northern tribes of Israel. Even if all tribes were not physically represented, the twelve sacrifices emphasized the desire for God to maintain his…”

“offered: Ezr 8:35; Num. 7:2-89; Kg1 8:63, Kg1 8:64; Ch1 16:1-3; Ch2 7:5, Ch2 29:31-35 a sin offering: Lev 4:3, Lev 4:13, Lev 4:14, Lev 4:22, Lev 4:23, Lev 4:28; Ch2 29:21-23 according to: Though the tribes of Benjamin and Judah, with the priests and Levites, formed the bulk of the people, yet many from the other tribes had returned with them from captivity. Kg1 18:31; Luk 22:30; Rev 7:4-8, Rev 21:12 Ezra 6:18”