Definition: [Also] the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats [for] a sin offering: all [this was] a burnt offering unto the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Ezra 8:35. It’s a really important passage about repentance and offering sacrifices to God. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Story: This verse describes a specific event in ancient Israel – after a period of exile and rebellion, the people were brought back into the land. They had been taken away by enemies and lost their freedom. To show remorse and seek forgiveness, they offered a huge sacrifice to God. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Ezra 8:35 [Also] the children of those that had been carried away…” – This refers to a group of people who were exiled from their homeland, likely during a time of trouble or conflict. “Carried away” means they were taken away, leaving them in a vulnerable position. “…which were come out of the captivity…” – This is key: they returned . They had been separated and lost everything. "... offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel..." - This means they made a sacrifice to God as a sign of apology for their sins and a way to show that they were sorry. It's like saying, "We understand we messed up." “twelve bullocks for all Israel…” – This is a HUGE number. They offered 12 bulls (large cattle) as a whole offering to the Lord. This shows a massive amount of repentance and a sincere desire to be forgiven. “ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats [for] a sin offering:” – This describes specific animals sacrificed: Ninety-six Rams: These were large sacrificial animals used for a grand offering. Seventy and seven lambs: These represented the people’s freedom and were offered to show gratitude for being released. Twelve he goats [for] a sin offering:” - These were smaller goats, representing the specific act of wrongdoing that led to the exile. “all this was” – “a burnt offering unto the LORD.” – This is the most important part: This entire sacrificial event was specifically a burnt offering (a sacrifice) presented to God as a sign of repentance and acknowledging their sin. It’s like saying, "We are truly sorry for our mistakes." In short: The people were brought back from exile, made a huge apology through sacrifice, and showed deep remorse by offering 12 bulls, freedom animals, and specific animal sacrifices to God as an expression of their regret. Why is this important? This verse is considered very significant in the Old Testament because it shows that even after a serious mistake, people are willing to make amends through repentance and sacrifice. It’s a powerful reminder that sincere remorse can lead to restoration and forgiveness. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these parts in more detail? Connect this verse to other stories or themes in the Bible? Give you a different perspective on its significance?