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)
Even though the numbers are smaller than Solomon's grand sacrifices, the choice of twelve he-goats for a sin offering is profoundly significant. This act declares that even in their diminished state, these returned exiles see themselves as "all Israel," acknowledging the unity and shared responsibility of all twelve tribes before God.
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)
With the Temple finally rebuilt and ready, the people celebrated its dedication with sacrifices. These offerings, though fewer than those made during Solomon's time, represented a significant moment of re-establishment and hope after exile. Twelve male goats were specifically offered as a sin offering for all twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing a desire for national atonement and unity.
Ever felt like your offering to God is just too small compared to others? This verse speaks to that.
The dedication of the rebuilt Temple in Ezra 6 wasn't marked by the extravagant numbers of sacrifices seen in Solomon's time. While Solomon offered tens of thousands of animals, the returned exiles could only manage hundreds.
A "Day of Small Things"
This difference highlights a significant shift. It wasn't about recapturing past glory, but about faithfulness in the present reality. Their offerings were modest, suited to their 'present ability' and 'deep poverty' after exile.
Accepted by Faith
God looks at the heart and the intention behind the offering. Even though these numbers were smaller, they were still considered 'grand sacrifices' because they were given with sincere hearts, joy, and thankfulness for the temple's completion. What matters most is offering what we can, with a willing spirit.
Why offer twelve goats when the people were mostly Jews? This act points to something bigger.
The inclusion of twelve male goats as a sin offering is incredibly significant. Even though the northern kingdom of Israel had been largely exiled and dispersed centuries earlier, this act deliberately included them.
A Sin Offering for All
By offering one goat for each of the twelve tribes, the returned exiles (primarily from Judah and Benjamin) were symbolically making atonement for the sins of the entire nation. This demonstrated a yearning for the restoration of all Israel.
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Unity in Exile and Return
It acknowledged that the consequences of sin affected everyone, and that God's plan for restoration was for all His people. While 'Judah' was their immediate identity, they embraced the broader, ideal identity of 'all Israel,' looking forward to a day of reunification.
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 small, yet deeply symbolic, offerings at the Second Temple's dedication, especially the twelve goats for all Israel, highlight the poignant reality of a fragmented people returning to worship. It's a powerful reminder of unity and repentance, even in a 'day of small things,' compared to the glory of Solomon's Temple.
c. 722 BC
Assyrian Exile of Northern Tribes
The Neo-Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting a significant portion of its population. This event marks the scattering of the ten northern tribes.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The Neo-Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population of Judah. This devastates the heart of Israel's religious and national life.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ushering in a new era. He issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.
520-516 BC— this verse
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the returned exiles begin and complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, facing significant opposition.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra the scribe leads a second large group of exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. He focuses on religious reform and the re-establishment of the Law.
This passage describes Solomon's Temple dedication with vast numbers of animals, highlighting the contrast with the more modest, yet still significant, offerings made for the second Temple in Ezra 6:17, reflecting the exiles' changed circumstances.
Numbers 7:84-88This section details the offerings made for the dedication of the altar by the leaders of Israel, including twelve male goats for a sin offering, mirroring the symbolic act of representing all tribes in Ezra 6:17.
Ezekiel 37:15-23The prophecy of the two sticks becoming one to represent a reunited Israel speaks to the same hope for national unity that the twelve sin offerings for all the tribes symbolized in Ezra 6:17.
2 Chronicles 30:21-24Hezekiah's Passover feast involved abundant sacrifices, including seven each of bulls, rams, and lambs, and ten he-goats for sin offerings, showing a pattern of significant sacrificial dedication, though Ezra 6:17 focuses specifically on representing the twelve tribes.
Zechariah 4:10The verse 'Do not despise the day of small things' directly relates to the context of Ezra 6:17, where the sacrifices, though fewer than in Solomon's time, were offered with joy and faithfulness during a 'day of small things' for 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.
Even though the numbers are smaller than Solomon's grand sacrifices, the choice of twelve he-goats for a sin offering is profoundly significant. This act declares that even in their diminished state, these returned exiles see themselves as "all Israel," acknowledging the unity and shared responsibility of all twelve tribes before God.
With the Temple finally rebuilt and ready, the people celebrated its dedication with sacrifices. These offerings, though fewer than those made during Solomon's time, represented a significant moment of re-establishment and hope after exile. Twelve male goats were specifically offered as a sin offering for all twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing a desire for national atonement and unity.
With the Temple finally rebuilt and ready, the people celebrated its dedication with sacrifices. These offerings, though fewer than those made during Solomon's time, represented a significant moment of re-establishment and hope after exile. Twelve male goats were specifically offered as a sin offering for all twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing a desire for national atonement and unity.
"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." — Even though the numbers are smaller than Solomon's grand sacrifices, the choice of twelve he-goats for a sin offering is profoundly significant. This act declares that even in their diminished state,…
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Last reviewed October 2026