Jeshua, typically portrayed in contexts of worship and chosen-people identity, here uniquely combines with themes of obedience and sacrificial offering, marking a rare intersection of priestly authority with fearful reverence.
Ezra 3
Restoration of the Altar and Sacrifices
1When the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
2Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak stood up with his brothers the priests and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his relatives, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
3In spite of their fear because of the peoples of the surrounding lands, they set the altar on its base; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
4They kept the feast of booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required;
5and afterward the continual burnt offering, the offerings of the new moons, of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of everyone who willingly offered a free will offering to the LORD.
6From the first day of the seventh month, they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD; but the foundation of the LORD’s temple was not yet laid.
7They also gave money to the masons and to the carpenters. They also gave food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from Cyrus King of Persia.
Foundation of the Second Temple
8Now in the second year of their coming to God’s house at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began the work and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the LORD’s house.
9Then Jeshua stood with his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together to have the oversight of the workmen in God’s house: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brothers the Levites.
10When the builders laid the foundation of the LORD’s temple, they set the priests in their vestments with trumpets, with the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the directions of David king of Israel.
11They sang to one another in praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Israel.” All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the LORD’s house had been laid.
12But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. Many also shouted aloud for joy,
13so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard far away.
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Theme
The returned exiles prioritize worship by rebuilding the altar and resuming sacrificial offerings according to Mosaic law, despite fear of surrounding peoples. Under the leadership of Jeshua the priest and Zerubbabel the governor, they celebrate the Feast of Booths and maintain regular offerings. In the second year, they lay the foundation of the new temple amid great celebration, though the ceremony evokes mixed emotions as older priests who remembered Solomon's temple weep while others shout for joy.
Context
This chapter follows the initial return from exile in chapter 2 and establishes the religious foundation that will face opposition in chapter 4.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Unity and Leadership The people gather as one in Jerusalem while religious and civil leaders take initiative to rebuild the altar.
- 3-6 Restoration of Worship Despite surrounding threats, they reestablish daily sacrifices, festivals, and offerings according to the Law of Moses.
- 7 Temple Preparations Materials and craftsmen are secured from Phoenician cities using resources granted by King Cyrus.
- 8-9 Organization of Workers Zerubbabel and Jeshua organize the Levites and workers to oversee the temple construction project.
- 10-13 Foundation Ceremony The temple foundation laying becomes a bittersweet celebration mixing joy and weeping that can be heard from afar.
Restoration of the Altar and Sacrifices
3:1–3:7 narrative narration solemn
The returned exiles rebuild the altar and resume sacrificial worship according to the Law of Moses, despite fear of surrounding peoples. They begin preparations for rebuilding the temple with materials granted by Cyrus.
person_contrast
Jeshua, typically portrayed in contexts of worship and chosen-people identity, here uniquely combines with themes of obedience and sacrificial offering, marking a rare intersection of priestly authority with fearful reverence.
Foundation of the Second Temple
3:8–3:13 narrative narration celebratory
The foundation of the second temple is laid with great ceremony, music, and mixed emotions. While many rejoice, older people who remembered Solomon's temple weep at the comparison.
person_contrast
Zerubbabel, typically associated with restoration and obedience, here presides over a paradoxical moment where communal joy and individual grief sound simultaneously in worship.
Insights
Zerubbabel, typically associated with restoration and obedience, here presides over a paradoxical moment where communal joy and individual grief sound simultaneously in worship.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Ezra 3:1 1 reference
Ezra 3:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Nehemiah 12:1 Lexical
Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremia…
1 Chronicles 16:40 Lexical
to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to a…
Joshua 8:31 Lexical
as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses: an…
Ezra 4:3 Lexical
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do…
Nehemiah 12:26 Lexical
These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and o…
Ezra 3:3 4 references
Lexicals 4
1 Chronicles 16:40 Lexical
to offer burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offering continually morning and evening, even according to a…
2 Kings 16:15 Lexical
King Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, “On the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, the evening meal off…
2 Chronicles 13:11 Lexical
They burn to the LORD every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense. They also set the show bread in…
2 Chronicles 31:3 Lexical
He also appointed the king’s portion of his possessions for the burnt offerings: for the morning and evening burnt offer…
Ezra 3:4 1 reference
Ezra 3:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 23:31 Lexical
and to offer all burnt offerings to the LORD on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts, in number accordi…
Numbers 15:3 Lexical
and will make an offering by fire to the LORD—a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a free will o…
Numbers 29:39 Lexical
“‘You shall offer these to the LORD in your set feasts—in addition to your vows and your free will offerings—for your bu…
Exodus 29:42 Lexical
It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, w…
Numbers 29:6 Lexical
in addition to the burnt offering of the new moon with its meal offering, and the continual burnt offering with its meal…
Ezra 3:6 2 references
Ezra 3:7 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Chronicles 22:4 Lexical
and cedar trees without number, for the Sidonians and the people of Tyre brought cedar trees in abundance to David.
Nehemiah 9:25 Lexical
They took fortified cities and a rich land, and possessed houses full of all good things, cisterns dug out, vineyards, o…
1 Chronicles 22:15 Lexical
There are also workmen with you in abundance—cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skill…
1 Chronicles 14:1 Lexical
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.
2 Samuel 5:11 Lexical
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
Ezra 3:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
Nehemiah 12:1 Lexical
Now these are the priests and the Levites who went up with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua: Seraiah, Jeremia…
Ezra 4:3 Lexical
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers’ households of Israel said to them, “You have nothing to do…
Haggai 1:14 Lexical
The LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son o…
Haggai 1:1 Lexical
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the LORD’s word came by Haggai…
Numbers 1:18 Lexical
They assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month; and they declared their ancestry by t…
Ezra 3:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
Nehemiah 12:8 Lexical
Moreover the Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah, and Mattaniah, who was over the thanksgiving songs,…
Nehemiah 9:5 Lexical
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, “Stand up a…
Nehemiah 9:4 Lexical
Then Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Chenani of the Levites stood up on the stairs, and cr…
Ezra 2:40 Lexical
The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
Nehemiah 12:24 Lexical
The chiefs of the Levites: Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua the son of Kadmiel, with their brothers close to them, to pr…
Ezra 3:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 5:12 Lexical
also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arra…
2 Chronicles 5:13 Lexical
when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when t…
Zechariah 8:9 Lexical
The LORD of Armies says: “Let your hands be strong, you who hear in these days these words from the mouth of the prophet…
Isaiah 44:28 Lexical
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure,’ even saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be built;…
2 Chronicles 29:30 Lexical
Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praises to the LORD with the words of David, an…
Ezra 3:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 20:21 Lexical
When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and give praise in holy array…
Psalms 106:1 Lexical
Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
2 Chronicles 7:6 Lexical
The priests stood, according to their positions; the Levites also with instruments of music of the LORD, which David the…
2 Chronicles 5:13 Lexical
when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when t…
Psalms 136:26 Lexical
Oh give thanks to the God of heaven, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Ezra 3:12 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Chronicles 15:16 Lexical
David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers with instruments of music, stringed instrum…
Jeremiah 33:11 Lexical
the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those w…
Joshua 8:33 Lexical
All Israel, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark before the Levitical priests, who ca…
Ezra 3:13 3 references
Lexicals 3
Joshua 6:5 Lexical
It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the pe…
Joshua 6:20 Lexical
So the people shouted and the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shou…
Job 2:12 Lexical
When they lifted up their eyes from a distance, and didn’t recognize him, they raised their voices, and wept; and they e…
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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v. 7
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v. 12
v. 13
Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Timeline
Return From Exile
538-516 BCThe Jewish return to Jerusalem under Cyrus's decree, led by Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. This restoration fulfilled prophetic promises and enabled the rebuilding of the temple and city walls.
The returned exiles' first religious act is rebuilding the altar for proper worship.
Restoration of the Altar and SacrificesTemple Foundation
516 BCThe laying of the foundation for the Second Temple after the return from Babylonian exile. This event marked the restoration of formal worship and the fulfillment of prophetic promises about return.
This passage describes the actual laying of the second temple's foundation with ceremony.
Foundation of the Second Temple