Bible Commentaries
Ezra 3

Introduction

Overview

Ezra 3:1, The altar is set up; Ezra 3:4, Offerings renewed; Ezra 3:7, Workmen employed in preparing materials; Ezra 3:8, The foundations of the temple are laid in great joy and mourning.

Verse 1

the seventh: Exodus 23:14-17, Leviticus 16:29, Leviticus 23:24, Leviticus 23:27-44, Numbers 29:1-40, Nehemiah 8:2, Nehemiah 8:14

as one: Judges 20:1, Nehemiah 8:1, Zephaniah 3:9, Acts 2:46, Acts 4:32, 1 Corinthians 1:10

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 8:1 - assembled Nehemiah 7:73 - when the seventh Psalms 102:14 - General Jeremiah 30:3 - and I John 11:55 - before

Verse 2

Jeshua: Haggai 1:1, Haggai 1:12, Haggai 1:14, Haggai 2:2-4, Zechariah 3:1, Zechariah 3:8, Zechariah 6:11, Joshua the son of Josedech.

Zerubbabel: Ezra 2:2, 1 Chronicles 3:17, 1 Chronicles 3:19, Haggai 2:21, Haggai 2:23, Zechariah 4:6-10, Matthew 1:12, Matthew 1:13, Luke 3:27, Zorobabel, Salathiel

as it is written: Exodus 20:24, Exodus 20:25, Numbers 28:3-31, Deuteronomy 12:5-7, 2 Chronicles 6:6, Psalms 78:68, Bp. Patrick observes, that before the temple was built, there seems to have been a tabernacle pitched for Divine service, as was in David's time, not on mount Moriah, but mount Sion, to be used while the temple was building. Let us learn hence to begin with God, and to do what we can in the worship of God, when we cannot do what we would. They could not immediately have a temple, but they would not be without an altar. Wherever a Christian goes, if he carry not with him the sacrifices of prayer and praise, he is wanting in his duty; for he has an altar ever ready that sanctifies both the gift and the giver.

Reciprocal: Ezra 3:8 - Zerubbabel Ezra 4:2 - Zerubbabel Ezra 5:2 - rose up Ezra 10:18 - Jeshua Nehemiah 12:7 - of Jeshua Isaiah 27:9 - when Haggai 2:14 - and that

Verse 3

the altar: 2 Chronicles 4:1

for fear: Ezra 4:11-16, Ezra 8:21, Ezra 8:22, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 27:2, Psalms 56:2-4

even burnt: Exodus 29:38-42, Numbers 28:2-8

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 16:40 - To offer Ezra 2:68 - in his place Ezra 4:4 - weakened Ezra 5:15 - let the house Isaiah 27:9 - when Jeremiah 17:26 - bringing burnt Ezekiel 43:16 - twelve cubits Haggai 2:14 - and that

Verse 4

the feast: Exodus 23:16, Leviticus 23:34-36, Nehemiah 8:14-17, Zechariah 14:16-19, John 7:2, John 7:37

the daily: Numbers 29:12-38

as the duty of every day required: Heb. the matter of the day in his day, Exodus 5:13, Exodus 29:38, Jeremiah 52:34, *marg.

Reciprocal: Numbers 28:6 - a continual Numbers 29:6 - according Numbers 29:13 - thirteen young bullocks Deuteronomy 16:13 - the feast 1 Kings 8:2 - at the feast 1 Chronicles 16:37 - as every Nehemiah 8:17 - had not Hosea 12:9 - as in

Verse 5

the continual: Exodus 29:38-42, Numbers 28:3-10, Numbers 28:11, Numbers 28:19, Numbers 28:27, Numbers 29:2, Numbers 29:8, Numbers 29:13

willingly: Leviticus 1:3, Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 12:17, 2 Chronicles 29:31, 2 Chronicles 29:32

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:2 - willingly Numbers 29:39 - in your set feasts 2 Chronicles 31:14 - the freewill Ezekiel 46:12 - a voluntary

Verse 6

the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid: Heb. the temple of the Lord was not yet founded.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 23:24 - In the seventh Numbers 29:1 - the seventh

Verse 7

gave money: 2 Kings 12:11, 2 Kings 12:12, 2 Kings 22:5, 2 Kings 22:6, 2 Chronicles 24:12, 2 Chronicles 24:13

carpenters: or, workmen

meat: 1 Kings 5:6, 1 Kings 5:9-11, 2 Chronicles 2:10-15, Ezekiel 27:17, Acts 12:20

Joppa: Joppa, now Jaffa or Yaffa, one of the most ancient sea-ports in the world, is situated in a fine plain on the shore of the Mediterranean, between Jamnia south and Caesarea of Palestine north, 150 stadia from Antipatris, according to Josephus, 30 miles south of Caesarea, 12 miles north of Ashdod, 9 miles west of Ramla, and 40 miles west of Jerusalem, according to modern authorities; and in lat. 32 degrees 50 minutes long. 65 degrees 40 minutes according to Ptolemy. It is still a considerable town, containing about 4,000 or 5,000 souls, and occupying a circular eminence close to the seaside, with a citadel on the summit; the bottom of the hill being surrounded by a wall 12 or 14 feet high, and two or three feet thick. The environs are occupied by extensive gardens. 2 Chronicles 2:16, Jonah 1:3, Acts 9:36, Acts 10:5, Acts 10:6

according: Ezra 6:3-5

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 14:1 - and timber 1 Chronicles 22:2 - masons 1 Chronicles 22:4 - cedar trees 2 Chronicles 34:10 - in the hand Daniel 10:1 - Cyrus Haggai 1:8 - to

Verse 8

Zerubbabel: Ezra 3:2

twenty years old: Numbers 4:3, 1 Chronicles 23:24-32

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 6:38 - seven years 1 Chronicles 3:17 - Salathiel Ezra 2:2 - Jeshua Ezra 5:16 - laid Ezra 6:14 - And the elders Nehemiah 7:1 - the porters Nehemiah 7:7 - Jeshua Nehemiah 12:1 - Zerubbabel Jeremiah 30:3 - and I Haggai 1:1 - unto Zechariah 4:9 - have

Verse 9

Jeshua: Not Jeshua the high-priest, before mentioned, but another Jeshua, a Levite, mentioned in the parallel passage. Ezra 2:40

Judah: Hodaviah, הודויה [Strong's H1938], is called Hodevah, הודוה [Strong's H1937], by the elision of י, yood, and was probably named Judah, from the word having the same signification. Ezra 2:40, Hodaviah, Nehemiah 7:43, Hodevah

together: Heb. as one

Reciprocal: Ezra 2:2 - Jeshua Ezra 2:36 - Jeshua Nehemiah 7:7 - Jeshua

Verse 10

when the builders: Zechariah 4:10

they set: Exodus 28:40-42, 1 Samuel 22:18, 1 Chronicles 15:27, Nehemiah 12:24-26

trumpets: Numbers 10:1-10, 1 Chronicles 15:24, 1 Chronicles 16:5, 1 Chronicles 16:6, 1 Chronicles 16:42

the sons of Asaph: 1 Chronicles 6:39, 1 Chronicles 16:37, 1 Chronicles 25:1-7, 2 Chronicles 35:15

after the ordinance: 1 Chronicles 6:31-48, 1 Chronicles 16:4-7, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 2 Chronicles 29:25, 2 Chronicles 29:26

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:10 - in the day 2 Samuel 6:15 - with shouting 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 1 Chronicles 15:16 - lifting up 1 Chronicles 15:28 - with shouting 1 Chronicles 23:30 - stand 2 Chronicles 5:12 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 20:21 - appointed Ezra 5:16 - laid Nehemiah 12:27 - thanksgivings Psalms 149:3 - with the timbrel Jeremiah 30:19 - out Haggai 2:15 - from before Luke 19:37 - the whole

Verse 11

they sang: Exodus 15:21, Nehemiah 12:24, Nehemiah 12:40, Psalms 24:7-10, Isaiah 6:3

because: 1 Chronicles 16:34, 1 Chronicles 16:41, 2 Chronicles 7:3, Psalms 103:17, Psalms 106:1, Psalms 107:1, Psalms 135:3, Psalms 136:1-26, Psalms 145:1-11, Jeremiah 33:11, Luke 1:50

shouted: Joshua 6:5, Joshua 6:10, Joshua 6:16, Psalms 47:1, Psalms 47:5, Isaiah 12:6, Isaiah 44:23, Zechariah 9:9

because: Psalms 102:13, Psalms 102:14, Revelation 21:10-14

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:17 - they shouted Leviticus 9:24 - they shouted 2 Samuel 6:15 - with shouting 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 1 Chronicles 15:16 - lifting up 1 Chronicles 15:28 - with shouting 1 Chronicles 23:30 - stand 1 Chronicles 25:1 - harps 2 Chronicles 5:12 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 5:13 - he is good 2 Chronicles 20:21 - appointed Ezra 6:16 - with joy Nehemiah 9:5 - bless Nehemiah 12:27 - thanksgivings Job 8:21 - rejoicing Job 38:7 - shouted Psalms 27:6 - joy Psalms 32:11 - shout Psalms 53:6 - Jacob Psalms 63:5 - with joyful Psalms 74:21 - poor Psalms 85:6 - people Psalms 95:1 - let us make Psalms 118:29 - General Psalms 126:2 - Then was Psalms 132:9 - shout Isaiah 26:1 - in the land Jeremiah 17:26 - bringing burnt Nahum 1:7 - Lord Zephaniah 3:14 - shout Zechariah 4:7 - shoutings Hebrews 13:15 - the sacrifice

Verse 12

many: Haggai 2:3

when the foundation: Job 8:7, Isaiah 41:14, Isaiah 60:22, Daniel 2:34, Daniel 2:35, Zechariah 4:10, Matthew 13:31, Matthew 13:32

wept: Psalms 126:6, Jeremiah 31:8, Jeremiah 31:9

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 22:5 - exceeding 2 Chronicles 20:19 - a loud Ezra 4:2 - Zerubbabel Ezra 6:16 - with joy Job 38:7 - shouted Psalms 132:9 - shout Jeremiah 30:3 - and I Jeremiah 50:4 - going Ezekiel 7:20 - the beauty Matthew 28:8 - with Acts 16:25 - and the

Verse 13

So that: This sight must have been very affecting; a whole people, one part weeping aloud with sorrow, the other shouting aloud for joy; and on the same occasion too, in which both sides felt an equal interest. The prophet Haggai - Haggai 2:1-9 comforted them on this occasion, by assuring them that the glory of this latter house should exceed that of the former, because the Lord would come to this temple, and fill it with His glory.

the noise: Judges 2:5

shouted: Nehemiah 12:43, Psalms 5:11, Jeremiah 33:11, Zechariah 4:7, Luke 19:37-40

and the noise: Exodus 32:17, Exodus 32:18, 1 Samuel 4:5, 1 Kings 1:40, 1 Kings 1:45, Psalms 100:1, Psalms 100:2

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 20:19 - a loud Jeremiah 50:4 - going Zechariah 4:10 - despised Matthew 28:8 - with Acts 16:25 - and the