Ezra 1:5-6

Ezra 1:5-6

[5] Then rose up  the chief  of the fathers  of Judah  and Benjamin,  and the priests,  and the Levites,  with all them whose spirit  God  had raised,  to go up  to build  the house  of the LORD  which is in Jerusalem.  [6] And all they that were about  them strengthened  their hands  with vessels  of silver,  with gold,  with goods,  and with beasts,  and with precious things,  beside all that was willingly offered. 

What does Ezra 1:5-6 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Judah and Benjamin were the only tribes the writer mentioned, because these were the tribes that made up the Southern Kingdom, which had suffered exile in Babylon. Those who gave to the reconstruction project evidently included Jews who decided to remain in Babylon, as well as Babylonian Gentiles. Many Jews chose not to return because they did not want to leave their possessions. [1] This was contrary to the will of God ( Isaiah 48:20; Jeremiah 50:8; Jeremiah 51:6; cf. Jeremiah 29:10; Deuteronomy 30:1-5). They should have returned.