Ezra 6:17
They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The offering includes twelve male goats specifically as a sin offering, one for each tribe of Israel. This detail powerfully declares their unity and shared need for atonement, even though the ten northern tribes were scattered or in exile. It's a beautiful picture of the remnant embracing the whole people in their confession and hope.
After the temple’s walls were completed and Darius's decree was confirmed, a joyous celebration erupted, marked by feasting and sacrifices to dedicate the newly rebuilt house of God. Though the offerings were fewer than those of Solomon’s time, symbolizing a "day of small things" after exile, they represented the people’s renewed covenant. Critically, twelve male goats were offered as a sin offering for all Israel, deliberately representing each of the twelve tribes, acknowledging their shared guilt and hope for restoration.
The numbers might seem small compared to Solomon's grand temple dedication. What does this tell us about their faith and God's acceptance?
When the Second Temple was dedicated under Zerubbabel, the sacrifices offered were significantly fewer than those made by Solomon at the First Temple's dedication. While Solomon offered tens of thousands of animals, this dedication saw hundreds. This wasn't a sign of lack of devotion, but a reflection of their post-exilic poverty and the "day of small things" described in Zechariah. God doesn't measure faithfulness by the quantity of our offerings, but by the sincerity of our hearts and our willingness to give according to our ability. These 'hundreds' meant more to them than Solomon's 'thousands' could have meant to him in his era of prosperity. Their offering, though modest, was accepted because it was given with joy and thankfulness after immense trials.
Why twelve male goats specifically? What profound truth about Israel's identity was being declared?
The offering of twelve male goats as a sin offering was deeply symbolic. It represented of Israel, transcending the division between Judah and the scattered tribes. Even after the Assyrian exile, the ideal of a unified Israel, composed of all twelve tribes, was held onto. This act of offering one goat for each tribe was a confession of sin and a plea for atonement on behalf of the entire nation, acknowledging their shared need for God's mercy and their essential unity in His eyes. It was a poignant reminder that despite their dispersion, they were still one people under God.
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Understand the original words
chattat · Hebrew Noun
A divinely ordained sacrifice brought to make atonement for unintentional sin or ceremonial impurity, allowing for the restoration of relationship between the worshiper and God.
The modest sacrifices offered at the Second Temple's dedication highlight the stark contrast with the grandeur of Solomon's Temple and reflect the impoverished state of the returned exiles, yet the symbolic offering of twelve goats for all Israel underscores their hope for national unity and restoration.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Tribes
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants, which leads to the scattering and assimilation of the ten tribes.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deports a significant portion of Judah's population, including Jehoiachin the king and Ezekiel the prophet, to Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling the remaining Judean leadership and populace to Babylon.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Persian defeats Babylon, ushering in a new era and allowing the exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands.
515 BC— this verse
Dedication of the Second Temple
The Second Temple in Jerusalem is completed and dedicated, marking a significant moment of restoration for the returned exiles.
This passage describes the offerings made by the princes of Israel for the dedication of the altar, including twelve he-goats for a sin offering, mirroring the twelve tribes.
2 Chronicles 29:21-24During Hezekiah's temple purification, sacrifices were offered for the kingdom, sanctuary, and Judah, including seven bullocks, seven rams, and seven lambs, alongside seven he-goats as a sin offering for the kingdom and its people.
Ezekiel 37:15-28This prophetic vision speaks of the reunification of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah into one nation, symbolized by two sticks becoming one, echoing the desire for unity implied by the twelve sin offerings.
1 Kings 8:63This verse recounts the massive number of peace offerings made by Solomon at the dedication of the first Temple, providing a stark contrast that highlights the 'day of small things' faced by the returning exiles.
pulpitEzra 6:17: "And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel."
Verse 17. - And offered... an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs. A poor offering, if it be compared, not alone with Solomon's (1 Kings 8:63), but even with Hezekiah's (2 Chronicles 30:24), or Josiah's (ibid. 35:7). Hundreds now take the place of the…
clarkeEzra 6:17: "And offered at the dedication of this house of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel."
Twelve he-goats - This was a sin-offering for every tribe.
The offering includes twelve male goats specifically as a sin offering, one for each tribe of Israel. This detail powerfully declares their unity and shared need for atonement, even though the ten northern tribes were scattered or in exile. It's a beautiful picture of the remnant embracing the whole people in their confession and hope.
After the temple’s walls were completed and Darius's decree was confirmed, a joyous celebration erupted, marked by feasting and sacrifices to dedicate the newly rebuilt house of God. Though the offerings were fewer than those of Solomon’s time, symbolizing a "day of small things" after exile, they represented the people’s renewed covenant. Critically, twelve male goats were offered as a sin offering for all Israel, deliberately representing each of the twelve tribes, acknowledging their shared guilt and hope for restoration.
After the temple’s walls were completed and Darius's decree was confirmed, a joyous celebration erupted, marked by feasting and sacrifices to dedicate the newly rebuilt house of God. Though the offerings were fewer than those of Solomon’s time, symbolizing a "day of small things" after exile, they represented the people’s renewed covenant. Critically, twelve male goats were offered as a sin offering for all Israel, deliberately representing each of the twelve tribes, acknowledging their shared guilt and hope for restoration.
"They offered at the dedication of this house of God 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel 12 male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel." — The offering includes twelve male goats specifically as a sin offering, one for each tribe of Israel. This detail powerfully declares their unity and shared need for atonement, even though the ten no…
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