Ezra 6:16-18·~1 min
Dedication of the Temple
The priests, Levites, and returned exiles celebrate the temple's dedication with joy, offer sacrifices for all Israel, and appoint the ministers for service as Moses's book directs.
T16hen the people of Israel — the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles — celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. 17For the dedication of the house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and a sin offering for all Israel of twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel. 18They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.
Section summaryWith the temple finished, Israel's returned exiles dedicate the house of God with joy and abundant offerings. They also set priests and Levites in their proper divisions, ordering the temple's service according to the Book of Moses.
Role in the chapterThis section turns from construction to consecrated use. The building is not treated as complete until worship, sacrifice, and ordered service are established within it.