Definition: Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him [was] Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them [was] Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 8:33. It's a pretty interesting passage about a ritual sacrifice and some serious drama! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: A Special Ceremony: This verse describes a very important religious ceremony called “weighing.” It was happening when Ezra, a leader of the Jewish people, was trying to cleanse a temple that had been damaged. The Weighing is Done: A group of priests and Levites (basically high-ranking religious officials) were brought before God and were weighed against each other. Meremoth and Eleazar are Involved: There’s a very important figure named Meremoth, who was a priest. And there's a young man named Eleazar. The verse says they were weighed together by a powerful hand – it’s called “the hand of Meremoth.” Eleazar Used a Sword (and a Shield): The crucial part is that Eleazar used a special sword and shield to protect himself while the other people were being weighed. This shows he was acting in defense of God and upholding his duty. What’s the Significance? A Test of Obedience: The whole process – weighing, and using a protective measure – is seen as a test of how well the people followed God's laws and performed their religious duties. Protecting God’s People: The verse highlights that it wasn't just about doing the right things; it was also about protecting them from danger. Eleazar was showing his commitment to God's will. In short, this verse describes a solemn ceremony where religious leaders were weighed against each other – with a focus on obedience and protection. --- Important Note: This is a complex passage. It’s important to remember that the Bible often uses symbolism and imagery to convey deeper meaning. This explanation aims to give you a basic understanding of what’s happening in the verse without getting bogged down in all the details. Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you'd like me to answer? For example, would you like: A breakdown of the words? An explanation of the historical context?