Lexical Summary debach: sacrifices Original Word: דְּבַח Strong's Exhaustive Concordance sacrifice (Aramaic) from dbach; a sacrifice -- sacrifice. see HEBREW dbach NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from debach Definition a sacrifice NASB Translation sacrifices (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [דִּבַח] noun [masculine] sacrifice; — plural absolute דִּבְחִין Ezra 6:3. Topical Lexicon Context within Ezra 6:3The single appearance of דְּבַח in Ezra 6:3 occurs inside the royal decree of Cyrus permitting the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple. In the Aramaic narrative the term refers to the “sacrifices” that would again be offered once the sanctuary stood completed. “Let the house be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices” (Ezra 6:3). Cyrus’ proclamation highlights that the structure’s chief purpose was not political prestige but restored worship. The word therefore anchors the entire restoration project to its central act of covenant devotion—the sacrificial system ordained by God. Historical Significance 1. Restoration after exile Judah’s return from Babylon was fraught with opposition. By securing imperial sanction for sacrificial worship, Cyrus affirmed Israel’s right to resume her God-given ministry (Isaiah 44:28; Ezra 1:2–4). דְּבַח thus stands at the juncture where prophetic promise meets historical fulfillment. 2. Continuity with the Mosaic pattern The decree specifies dimensions and materials, but the first concern is sacrificial function. This mirrors the priority of worship in Exodus 25–31, where furniture and ritual are detailed so that “I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). The single term quietly testifies that the rebuilt temple would not innovate but restore the divinely revealed order. 3. Gentile acknowledgment of Israel’s God A Persian king orders the provision of sacrifices “to the God of heaven.” דְּבַח marks a moment when a world empire recognizes the supremacy of Yahweh, prefiguring the eschatological vision of nations streaming to Zion (Isaiah 2:2–3; Zechariah 8:20–23). Theological Themes • Atonement and fellowship Sacrifice embodies substitutionary atonement and covenant communion (Leviticus 1–7). By using דְּבַח, Ezra underscores that forgiveness and restored fellowship with God remain central even after judgment and exile. • Holiness and consecration The rebuilding summons renewed holiness. Sacrifices are “holy to the LORD” (Leviticus 7:19) and demand purity from worshipers. The term therefore calls the post-exilic community to ethical and ceremonial faithfulness (Ezra 9:11–15). • Sovereign providence God moves pagan rulers to finance and protect the sacrificial system (Proverbs 21:1). The lone appearance of דְּבַח illuminates divine sovereignty over both Israel and the nations. Christological Fulfillment All Old Testament sacrifices foreshadow the ultimate offering of Christ. “He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Hebrews 9:26). The decree that enabled דְּבַח in Ezra 6:3 prepared a stage on which second-temple worship would point directly to the Lamb of God (John 1:29). Thus the word traces a line from the altar of Jerusalem to the cross of Calvary. Implications for Preaching and Ministry 1. Worship as first priority Like the exiles, contemporary believers must center all rebuilding—whether of lives, families, or churches—on true worship and reconciliation with God. 2. Confidence in God’s providence If God can turn imperial policy toward the restoration of sacrifices, He can also orchestrate events for the advance of the gospel today (Philippians 1:12). 3. Call to holiness after restoration Forgiven people are summoned to purity. Ezra’s community soon faced moral compromise (Ezra 9–10); modern congregations must guard the same altar of the heart (Romans 12:1). 4. Christ-focused exposition of the Old Testament Teaching on דְּבַח naturally leads to Christ’s atoning work. Every mention of sacrifice provides opportunity to proclaim the sufficiency of the Savior (1 Peter 1:18–19). Summary Though appearing only once, דְּבַח in Ezra 6:3 concentrates the hope of Israel’s post-exilic restoration: a rebuilt temple, accepted sacrifices, and renewed fellowship with God. Its resonance carries forward to the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ and continues to instruct the church in worship, holiness, and trust in God’s sovereign purposes. Forms and Transliterations דִּבְחִ֔ין דבחין diḇ·ḥîn diḇḥîn divChinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 6:3 HEB: דִּֽי־ דָבְחִ֣ין דִּבְחִ֔ין וְאֻשּׁ֖וֹהִי מְסֽוֹבְלִ֑ין NAS: where sacrifices are offered, KJV: where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations INT: forasmuch offered sacrifices the foundations laid 1 Occurrence |
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