Ezra 8:26
New International Version
I weighed out to them 650 talents of silver, silver articles weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold,

New Living Translation
I weighed the treasure as I gave it to them and found the totals to be as follows: 24 tons of silver, 7,500 pounds of silver articles, 7,500 pounds of gold,

English Standard Version
I weighed out into their hand 650 talents of silver, and silver vessels worth 200 talents, and 100 talents of gold,

Berean Standard Bible
I weighed out into their hands 650 talents of silver, articles of silver weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold,

Berean Literal Bible
And I weighed into their hands, six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and a hundred talents of articles of silver a hundred talents of gold,

King James Bible
I even weighed unto their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;

New King James Version
I weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, silver articles weighing one hundred talents, one hundred talents of gold,

New American Standard Bible
So I weighed into their hands 650 talents of silver, and silver utensils worth a hundred talents, and a hundred gold talents,

NASB 1995
Thus I weighed into their hands 650 talents of silver, and silver utensils worth 100 talents, and 100 gold talents,

NASB 1977
Thus I weighed into their hands 650 talents of silver, and silver utensils worth 100 talents, and 100 gold talents,

Legacy Standard Bible
Thus I weighed into their hands 650 talents of silver, and silver utensils worth 100 talents, and 100 gold talents,

Amplified Bible
I weighed into their hands 650 talents of silver, and silver utensils worth 100 talents, and 100 talents of gold;

Berean Annotated Bible
I weighed out into their hands 650 talents of silver <24.5 t / 22.2 mt>, articles of silver weighing 100 talents <3.77 t / 3.42 mt>, 100 talents of gold,

Christian Standard Bible
I weighed out to them 24 tons of silver, silver articles weighing 7,500 pounds, 7,500 pounds of gold,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I weighed out to them 24 tons of silver, silver articles weighing 7,500 pounds, 7,500 pounds of gold,

American Standard Version
I weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels a hundred talents; of gold a hundred talents;

English Revised Version
I even weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents; of gold an hundred talents;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I weighed [the contributions] for them to guard: about 24 tons of silver, 100 silver utensils weighing 150 pounds apiece, 7,500 pounds of gold,

International Standard Version
I divided among them 650 silver talents, silver utensils weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold,

NET Bible
I weighed out to them 650 talents of silver, silver vessels worth 100 talents, 100 talents of gold,

New Heart English Bible
I weighed into their hand six hundred fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels one hundred talents; of gold one hundred talents;

Webster's Bible Translation
I even weighed to their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels a hundred talents, and of gold a hundred talents;
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
I weighed out into their hands 650 talents of silver, articles of silver weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold,

World English Bible
I weighed into their hand six hundred fifty talents of silver, one hundred talents of silver vessels, one hundred talents of gold,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I weigh to their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and one hundred talents of vessels of silver, one hundred talents of gold,

Berean Literal Bible
And I weighed into their hands, six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and a hundred talents of articles of silver a hundred talents of gold,

Young's Literal Translation
and I weigh to their hand, of silver, talents six hundred and fifty, and of vessels of silver a hundred talents, of gold a hundred talents,

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall weigh to their hand the silver, six hundred and fifty talents, and vessels of silver to a hundred talents; gold, a hundred talents;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I weighed to their hands six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and a hundred vessels of silver, and a hundred talents of gold,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I weighed out to their hands six hundred fifty talents of silver, and one hundred vessels of silver, and one hundred talents of gold,

New American Bible
I weighed out into their hands these amounts: silver, six hundred and fifty talents; silver vessels, one hundred; gold, one hundred talents;

New Revised Standard Version
I weighed out into their hand six hundred fifty talents of silver, and one hundred silver vessels worth . . . talents, and one hundred talents of gold,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I counted into their hand one hundred and fifty talents of silver, and vessels of silver a hundred talents, and of gold one hundred talents;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I counted to them a hundred and fifty silver talents and a hundred silver vessels, and a hundred talents of gold.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I even weighed into their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels a hundred talents; of gold a hundred talents;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I even weighed into their hands six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and a hundred silver vessels, and a hundred talents of gold;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Priests to Guard the Offerings
25and I weighed out to them the contribution of silver and gold and the articles that the king, his counselors, his leaders, and all the Israelites there had offered for the house of our God. 26I weighed out into their hands 650 talents of silver, articles of silver weighing 100 talents, 100 talents of gold, 2720 gold bowls valued at 1,000 darics, and two articles of fine polished bronze, as precious as gold.…

Cross References
I weighed out into their hands

2 Kings 12:11-12
Then they would put the counted money into the hands of those who supervised the work on the house of the LORD, who in turn would pay those doing the work—the carpenters, builders, / masons, and stonecutters. They also purchased timber and dressed stone to repair the damage to the house of the LORD, and they paid the other expenses of the temple repairs.

Genesis 23:16
Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants.

Jeremiah 32:9-10
So I bought the field in Anathoth from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out seventeen shekels of silver. / I signed and sealed the deed, called in witnesses, and weighed out the silver on the scales.
650 talents of silver,

Ezra 7:15-16
Moreover, you are to take with you the silver and gold that the king and his counselors have freely offered to the God of Israel, whose dwelling is in Jerusalem, / together with all the silver and gold you may find in all the province of Babylon, as well as the freewill offerings of the people and priests to the house of their God in Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 29:7
Toward the service of God’s house they gave 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron.

1 Chronicles 22:14
Now behold, I have taken great pains to provide for the house of the LORD—100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and bronze and iron too great to be weighed. I have also provided timber and stone, and you may add to them.
articles of silver weighing 100 talents,

Exodus 38:25-29
The silver from those numbered among the congregation totaled 100 talents and 1,775 shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel— / a beka per person, that is, half a shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, from everyone twenty years of age or older who had crossed over to be numbered, a total of 603,550 men. / The hundred talents of silver were used to cast the bases of the sanctuary and the bases of the veil—100 bases from the 100 talents, one talent per base. …

Ezra 6:5
Furthermore, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon, must also be returned to the temple in Jerusalem and deposited in the house of God.

1 Kings 7:51
So all the work that King Solomon had performed for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the items his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD.
100 talents of gold,

1 Kings 9:14
And Hiram had sent the king 120 talents of gold.

2 Chronicles 8:18
So Hiram sent him ships captained by his servants, along with crews of experienced sailors. They went with Solomon’s servants to Ophir and acquired from there 450 talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon.

2 Chronicles 9:13
The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents,
Exodus 25:1-9
Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Tell the Israelites to bring Me an offering. You are to receive My offering from every man whose heart compels him. / This is the offering you are to accept from them: gold, silver, and bronze; …

1 Chronicles 29:2-5
Now with all my ability I have made provision for the house of my God—gold for the gold articles, silver for the silver, bronze for the bronze, iron for the iron, and wood for the wood, as well as onyx for the settings, turquoise, stones of various colors, all kinds of precious stones, and slabs of marble—all in abundance. / Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple: / three thousand talents of gold (the gold of Ophir) and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the buildings, …

2 Chronicles 24:9-14
And a proclamation was issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they were to bring to the LORD the tax imposed by Moses the servant of God on Israel in the wilderness. / All the officers and all the people rejoiced and brought their contributions, and they dropped them in the chest until it was full. / Whenever the chest was brought by the Levites to the king’s overseers and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal scribe and the officer of the high priest would come and empty the chest and carry it back to its place. They did this daily and gathered the money in abundance. …

Nehemiah 7:70-72
Some of the heads of the families contributed to the project. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics of gold, 50 bowls, and 530 priestly garments. / And some of the heads of the families gave to the treasury for the project 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. / The rest of the people gave a total of 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priestly garments.


Treasury of Scripture

I even weighed to their hand six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels an hundred talents, and of gold an hundred talents;

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Articles Fifty Gold Hand Hands Hundred Measuring Silver Six Talents Utensils Vessels Weigh Weighed Weighing Weight Worth
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Articles Fifty Gold Hand Hands Hundred Measuring Silver Six Talents Utensils Vessels Weigh Weighed Weighing Weight Worth
Ezra 8
1. The companions of Ezra, who returned from Babylon
15. He sends to Iddo for ministers for the temple
21. He keeps a fast
24. He commits the treasures to the custody of the priests
31. From Ahava they come to Jerusalem
33. The treasure is weighed in the temple
36. The commission is delivered












I weighed out into their hands
This phrase indicates a careful and deliberate process of distribution. In the context of Ezra's journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, the weighing of precious metals signifies accountability and transparency. The act of weighing suggests a formal and organized approach, reflecting the importance of stewardship in handling resources dedicated to the temple. This mirrors the biblical principle of being faithful stewards of God's provisions, as seen in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).

650 talents of silver
A talent was a significant unit of weight and currency in the ancient Near East, approximately 75 pounds or 34 kilograms. Therefore, 650 talents of silver would be an enormous amount, indicating the wealth and resources being transported for the temple's restoration. This substantial sum underscores the commitment to restoring the worship and practices in Jerusalem. The silver's value and weight also highlight the logistical challenges and the need for divine protection during the journey, reminiscent of the Israelites carrying the spoils from Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36).

articles of silver weighing 100 talents
The mention of specific articles of silver suggests items crafted for temple use, possibly including vessels and utensils necessary for worship. The detailed accounting of these items reflects the meticulous care taken to ensure the temple's proper function. This echoes the detailed instructions given for the tabernacle's construction in Exodus, emphasizing the importance of purity and dedication in worship.

100 talents of gold
Gold, being more valuable than silver, signifies the wealth and splendor intended for the temple. The use of gold in the temple is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing divine glory and holiness. The amount of gold here parallels the wealth and resources King Solomon used in building the first temple (1 Kings 6:20-22). This connection to Solomon's temple underscores the continuity of worship and the restoration of Israel's spiritual heritage. Gold's enduring value also points to the eternal nature of God's kingdom, as seen in the New Jerusalem's description in Revelation 21:18.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Ezra
A scribe and priest who led a group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in the spiritual and physical restoration of the Jewish community.

2. Babylon
The place from which Ezra and the exiles departed. It represents the captivity and exile of the Jewish people.

3. Jerusalem
The destination of Ezra and the exiles, symbolizing the return to the Promised Land and the restoration of worship and community life.

4. The Exiles
The group of Israelites returning with Ezra, representing the remnant of God's people who were faithful and willing to restore their covenant relationship with God.

5. The Weighing of Silver and Gold
This event signifies the careful stewardship and accountability in handling the resources dedicated to the temple and worship.
Teaching Points
Stewardship and Accountability
Ezra's careful weighing of the silver and gold teaches us the importance of being responsible and transparent with the resources God entrusts to us.

Generosity in Worship
The dedication of valuable resources for the temple reminds us of the call to give generously and sacrificially to support the work of God.

Faithfulness in Leadership
Ezra's role as a leader who ensures the proper handling of resources encourages us to be faithful and trustworthy in our leadership roles.

Community Participation
The involvement of the exiles in the journey and the offerings highlights the importance of community participation in the mission and work of God.

Restoration and Renewal
The return to Jerusalem and the restoration of worship serve as a reminder of God's desire to restore and renew His people.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Ezra 8:26?

2. How does Ezra 8:26 demonstrate the importance of accountability in stewardship today?

3. What can we learn from Ezra's leadership in handling God's resources responsibly?

4. How does Ezra 8:26 connect with Jesus' teachings on stewardship in Luke 16:10?

5. In what ways can we apply Ezra's example of integrity in our finances?

6. How does the detailed inventory in Ezra 8:26 reflect God's order and precision?

7. What is the significance of the specific weights of gold and silver in Ezra 8:26?

8. How does Ezra 8:26 reflect the importance of accountability in religious leadership?

9. Why were these particular items chosen to be weighed in Ezra 8:26?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 8?

11. Who was Sheshbazzar in the Bible?

12. In Ezra 8:25–27, do the large amounts of silver and gold conflict with known trade or economic data from that era?

13. How can 1 Chronicles 29:4's account of David's vast gold and silver donations be reconciled with the limited archaeological evidence of Israel's wealth in that era?

14. Why does the text mention the precise return of gold and silver vessels in Ezra 6:5 if many of these items likely disappeared over time?
What Does Ezra 8:26 Mean
I weighed out into their hands

Ezra personally places the offerings into the priests’ hands, demonstrating open, measurable stewardship.

• The phrase shows literal, physical accountability; nothing is left to guesswork (cf. Proverbs 11:1, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight”).

Ezra 8:24-30 records that the priests are declared “holy to the LORD,” so handling the treasure is a sacred trust (1 Corinthians 4:2).

• Weighing the gifts before departure and again on arrival (Ezra 8:33-34) models transparent oversight, mirrored later by Nehemiah’s storehouse appointments (Nehemiah 12:44).


650 talents of silver

This enormous sum—well over twenty tons—shows the king’s favor and Israel’s generosity.

• God supplies abundantly when His people obey (Philippians 4:19; 2 Corinthians 9:8).

• Earlier temple projects were funded by similarly vast gifts (1 Chronicles 29:7 lists 10,000 talents of silver), confirming a consistent biblical pattern of lavish giving to God’s house.

• The detailed number underscores historical reliability; Scripture records actual amounts, not vague estimates (Exodus 38:24).


articles of silver weighing 100 talents

Silver vessels replace items Nebuchadnezzar carried off (2 Kings 24:13), signaling restoration.

• Temple service requires dedicated implements (Numbers 7:13; 1 Kings 7:48-50).

• The weight stresses both value and purpose—each article is counted and consecrated (Ezra 8:28, “You are holy to the LORD, and the articles are holy”).

• God restores what was lost when His people return to Him (Joel 2:25).


100 talents of gold

Gold, associated with divinity and purity (Exodus 25:11), crowns the offering.

• Solomon’s temple featured abundant gold (2 Chronicles 3:7), and the second temple is now equipped in like manner, fulfilling Haggai 2:8-9 that “the silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine… the glory of this latter house shall be greater.”

• The equal weight of gold to silver articles highlights balanced provision—God meets both utilitarian and glorifying needs (Psalm 50:10-12).

• Stated amounts invite faith: if God entrusted Ezra with such treasure, He can entrust believers today with resources for His work (1 Timothy 6:17-19).


summary

Ezra 8:26 is more than a ledger entry; it records a moment of faithful stewardship, tangible blessing, and careful preparation for worship. By weighing and recording every talent of silver and gold, Ezra models integrity, underscores God’s lavish provision, and lays the groundwork for a restored temple that will once again declare the glory of the LORD.

Verse 26. - Six hundred and fifty talents of silver, according to Mr. Peele's estimate of the talent, would be nearly a quarter of a million of our money. The annual revenue of Persia was about three and a half millions (Herod., 3:95). Of gold an hundred talents. Rather more than a million of our money.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I weighed out
וָאֶשְׁקֲלָ֨ה (wā·’eš·qă·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8254: To suspend, poise

into
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

their hands
יָדָ֜ם (yā·ḏām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

650
שֵֽׁשׁ־ (šêš-)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

talents
כִּכָּרִים֙ (kik·kā·rîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

of silver,
כֶּ֗סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

silver
כֶ֥סֶף (ḵe·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

articles
וּכְלֵי־ (ū·ḵə·lê-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus

[weighing] 100
מֵאָ֖ה (mê·’āh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

talents,
לְכִכָּרִ֑ים (lə·ḵik·kā·rîm)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

100
מֵאָ֥ה (mê·’āh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

talents
כִכָּֽר׃ (ḵik·kār)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

of gold,
זָהָ֖ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky


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OT History: Ezra 8:26 I weighed into their hand six hundred (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 8:25
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