Ezra 6:9 Meaning: He Provides Day by Day
That which they have need of, including young bulls, rams, and lambs, for burnt offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests who are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail,
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail:
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven; also wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the word of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;
and what they are needing--both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs for burnt-offerings to the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil according to the saying of the priests who are in Jerusalem--let be given to them day by day without fail,
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks and rams and lambs, for the burnt-offerings to the God of the heavens, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests that are at Jerusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail;
Meaning in one sentence
How a pagan king’s decree to supply daily sacrifices shows God’s faithful provision for true worship, day after day.
Context
The book of Ezra tells the story of Jewish exiles returning to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. By chapter 6, King Darius of Persia has discovered the original decree of Cyrus that authorized the work. Now he issues his own order. Not only must the local governors leave the builders alone, they must also hand over everything needed for the daily sacrifices. The list is specific: bulls, rams, lambs for burnt offerings, plus wheat, salt, wine, and oil. The priests in Jerusalem will say what is required. And the provision must come every single day, without interruption. This is not a small act of charity. It is a royal command to sustain the worship of the God of heaven.
Key Words
Two phrases in this verse carry the weight of the whole scene. The first is day by day. In Aramaic the words yom be yom mean literally “day in day.” There is no gap, no pause, no waiting for the next shipment. The worship of God was meant to have a steady heartbeat, not a sporadic pulse.
The second phrase is without fail. The Aramaic word shalu means negligence or neglect. The king says, in effect, “let there be no neglect.” He insists on consistency. That is remarkable coming from a Persian ruler who did not worship the God of Israel, yet he understood that this worship must not falter.
One more term matters: according to the word of the priests. The word me’mar means command or spoken word. The priests are not passive recipients. They decide what is needed. God’s house is guided by those He has placed there, and the king respects that authority.
How Christians Read This Verse
Matthew Henry saw in this decree the hand of God moving a pagan king to support true worship, a sign that God rules over all rulers. The Cambridge Bible notes that the king speaks generally of burnt offerings and meal offerings, showing he understood the basic structure of Israel’s worship without being a Jew himself. Gill’s Exposition emphasizes that this provision was specifically for the daily sacrifice commanded in Exodus, tying the decree directly to the law of Moses. Different traditions highlight different facets, sovereignty, providence, or the continuity of worship, but all agree that the God of heaven is the one making it happen.
A common misunderstanding
It is easy to read this verse as a political arrangement, just another Persian king supporting local temples for the sake of stability. In fact, the text presents the decree as a direct answer to God’s purposes. The phrase “without fail” echoes the daily sacrifice God commanded in the law. This is not politics; it is provision. The king becomes an unwitting instrument of divine faithfulness.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to notice how God provides what is needed for His worship in your own life. Perhaps it comes through an unexpected source, a boss who gives you time off, a friend who shares resources, a church that quietly meets a need. The phrase “day by day” is a gentle reminder: you do not need to see the whole year’s supply at once. He gives what is needed for today. The worship He receives is the worship He sustains. Rest in that.
Main takeaway: God faithfully supplies everything needed for His people to worship Him, day after day, often through channels that surprise us.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God made sure the people had everything they needed to say thank you to Him. He even told a king to give them animals and food every single day. Isn’t God good to take care of His people?
For ages 9, 12
King Darius was not a Jew, but God used him to provide for the temple. Every day, without missing any, the priests got what they needed for sacrifices. This shows that God is in charge of all people and all governments. He can work through anyone to take care of His church. When you see needs being met in your church, remember who is really behind it.
Questions People Ask
Why did King Darius order supplies for Jewish sacrifices?
God moved the king to support the temple worship. Earlier, Cyrus had decreed the temple be rebuilt, and Darius confirmed and expanded that decree by ordering daily provision for the sacrifices.
What is the meaning of 'without fail' in Ezra 6:9?
The Aramaic word shalu means negligence or neglect. The phrase literally says 'that there be no negligence.' It means the supply must be continuous and consistent, never interrupted.
What do the items in this verse represent?
The bulls, rams, and lambs were for burnt offerings. Wheat, salt, wine, and oil were for the grain and drink offerings. Together they cover the main categories of sacrifice prescribed in the Law of Moses.
Who were the priests mentioned in this verse?
They were the descendants of Aaron serving in Jerusalem. The king let them decide what was needed, showing respect for their leadership in worship.
How does Ezra 6:9 apply to Christians today?
It reminds us that God provides everything we need for worship, often through unexpected people or circumstances. It also encourages us to trust God's daily provision rather than worrying about the future.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study