Lexical Summary
debach: sacrifices
Original Word: דְּבַח
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: dbach
Pronunciation: deh-bakh
Phonetic Spelling: (deb-akh')
KJV: sacrifice
NASB: sacrifices
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from H168 (אוֹהֶל - tent)4]
1. a sacrifice
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sacrifice
(Aramaic) from dbach; a sacrifice -- sacrifice.
see HEBREW dbach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin(Aramaic) from
debachDefinitiona sacrifice
NASB Translationsacrifices (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
[] ; — plural absolute
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 divChin
Links
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Englishman's Greek Concordance •
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