Ezra 1:9

Thirty. It will be noted that the itemized list of Temple utensils given in vs. 9, 10 adds up to 2,499 rather than 5,400, the figure given in v. 11. It is possible that the itemized list is only partial, and that it was not intended by Ezra to add up to the total given. However, the last item on the list appears to include all other utensils not already listed, and should, presumably, make up the difference between the total of the preceding items and the grand total of all of them. All the ancient Hebrew MSS and versions agree with the figures as given in the KJV. It is worthy of note, however, that a parallel passage in the Apocryphal book of 1 Esdras (ch. 2:13, 14) avoids this seeming discrepancy by listing 1,000 “golden cups” instead of the 30 given here, and 2,410 “vials ... of silver” instead of only 410, as in v. 10. Otherwise the figures are the same. The grand total as given in 1 Esdras 2:14 is 5,469, the sum of the figures for the various items as given there. Some have suggested that the figures in 1 Esdras were deliberately altered to avoid the seeming discrepancy in Ezra 1:9-11. All that can be said is that evidence is insufficient to provide a definite solution to the problem.

Charges. Hebrew ’agartelim, “baskets,” a word of uncertain meaning. The LXX, Vulgate, and Syriac offer the translation “basin,” which has been adopted by various modern versions.

Knives. Hebrew machalaph, a word found only here in the OT and of uncertain meaning. The context suggests that some sort of vessel is meant.