According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests’ garments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just a dry accounting of treasure; it highlights that even something as seemingly ordinary as "priests' garments" was a vital part of worship and service, just as valuable as gold and silver. It reminds us that God cares about the tangible, practical needs of His people and their worship, not just the grand gestures.
According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests’ garments.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The return of the exiles from Babylon is underway, and after accounting for the people who came back, this passage details the generous contributions made by the community to rebuild the Temple. These donations, given according to each person's ability, provided essential resources like gold, silver, and specific garments for the priests who would serve.
Ever felt like your contribution just isn't enough? This verse shows that God's economy values the heart behind the gift, not just the size of it.
The people didn't give a fixed amount; they gave 'according to their ability.' This means everyone contributed what they could, whether it was a lot or a little. It's a powerful reminder that God looks at our capacity and our willingness. He knows our financial situations, our resources, and our limitations.
A Principle for All Times
This principle isn't just for ancient Israel; it's for us today. Whether you're giving financially, with your time, or with your talents, the key is to give from what you have been given. God honors sincere generosity that stretches us, no matter our current circumstances.
This wasn't just a collection; it was an investment. Discover what the 'treasure of the work' signifies and why it mattered so much.
The offerings were given 'unto the treasure of the work.' This wasn't for personal gain or stored away idly. It was specifically designated for the ongoing work of God – likely the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of worship.
Funding God's Mission
The sheer amount given – over 61,000 darics of gold and 5,000 minas of silver, plus essential priestly garments – highlights the community's commitment to this project. These weren't just random donations; they were a collective effort to finance God's purposes. This shows that God's people are called to actively participate in and support His mission in the world, providing the resources needed for His work to flourish.
Ask a follow-up
Beyond gold and silver, they offered practical items for worship. What does this tell us about holistic devotion?
The inclusion of '100 priests' garments' alongside vast sums of gold and silver is significant. It shows that their devotion wasn't purely abstract or monetary. They understood that worship and service require tangible resources.
Practical Devotion
These garments were essential for the priests to perform their sacred duties in the Temple. By providing them, the community was ensuring that the proper worship of God could continue without interruption. This reminds us that true faith is demonstrated not only in our financial giving but also in providing the practical means necessary for ministry and service. It’s about meeting needs – whether financial, material, or practical – that allow God’s work and His people to function effectively.
Understand the original words
adarkon · Hebrew Noun
A Persian gold coin, often used to denote high value and wealth during the post-exilic period.
maneh · Hebrew Noun
A unit of weight or currency used in the ancient Near East, particularly for precious metals like silver.
The substantial offerings described in Ezra 2:69 highlight that the returning exiles were not the poorest of the community; they possessed significant wealth and resources to contribute to the rebuilding of the Temple, demonstrating their commitment and God's favor.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great overthrows the Neo-Babylonian Empire, leading to a new political reality for the Jewish exiles.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus allows return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple, marking the beginning of the return.
c. 537 BC— this verse
First group of exiles returns to Jerusalem
A significant number of Jews, led by Zerubbabel, embark on the journey back to Judah, facing potential hardships and needing resources.
c. 536 BC
Temple foundation laid
The foundations of the Second Temple are laid, a crucial step in the rebuilding process, though faced with opposition and delays.
c. 520 BC
Temple rebuilding resumes
Under the encouragement of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, the work on the Temple restarts after a period of stagnation.
c. 516 BC
Second Temple completed
The Temple is finally finished and dedicated, a major milestone for the returning exiles and a symbol of restored worship.
This passage also describes generous and voluntary contributions to the Lord's work, highlighting a similar spirit of giving from the people for sacred purposes, even in earlier biblical history.
Philippians 4:18Paul speaks of receiving gifts from the Philippians as a 'fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God,' echoing the sentiment that offerings given according to one's ability are pleasing to the Lord.
2 Corinthians 8:12This verse emphasizes the principle of giving according to what one has, stating, 'For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have,' which directly aligns with the 'according to their ability' principle here.
Nehemiah 7:70-72This passage provides a parallel account of contributions made by those returning from exile, offering a comparative list and highlighting slight variations that underscore the communal nature of these offerings.
henryEzra 2:64-70: "The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,"
2:64-70 Let none complain of the needful expenses of their religion. Seek first the kingdom of God, his favour and his glory, then will all other things be added unto them. Their offerings were nothing, compared with the offerings of the princes in David's time; yet, being according to their ability, were as acceptable to God. The Lord will carry us through all undertakings entered on accord…
pooleEzra 2:69: "They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred priests' garments."
A dram of gold is supposed to be of the weight of the fourth part of a shekel, and of the value of a French crown.
This verse isn't just a dry accounting of treasure; it highlights that even something as seemingly ordinary as "priests' garments" was a vital part of worship and service, just as valuable as gold and silver. It reminds us that God cares about the tangible, practical needs of His people and their worship, not just the grand gestures.
The return of the exiles from Babylon is underway, and after accounting for the people who came back, this passage details the generous contributions made by the community to rebuild the Temple. These donations, given according to each person's ability, provided essential resources like gold, silver, and specific garments for the priests who would serve.
The return of the exiles from Babylon is underway, and after accounting for the people who came back, this passage details the generous contributions made by the community to rebuild the Temple. These donations, given according to each person's ability, provided essential resources like gold, silver, and specific garments for the priests who would serve.
"According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests’ garments." — This verse isn't just a dry accounting of treasure; it highlights that even something as seemingly ordinary as "priests' garments" was a vital part of worship and service, just as valuable as gold an…
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Last reviewed October 2026