Bible Commentaries

EZRA CHAPTER 3

The altar set up, Ezra 3:1-3. The feast of the tabernacles kept, Ezra 3:4. Their continual offerings, Ezra 3:5,6. Workmen hired, Ezra 3:7. Priests and Levites are appointed to set forward the work, Ezra 3:8,9. The foundation of the temple is laid with great joy and mourning, Ezra 3:10-13.

When the seventh month was come, or rather, was coming, or drew near; for the altar was set up after this time, Ezra 3:3, which yet was employed the first day of this month, Ezra 3:6. This was a sacred kind of month, wherein there were divers festivals, as appears from Le 23 for which the people had been preparing themselves, and now came to Jerusalem to the celebration of them.

Jeshua the son of Jozadak, the high priest.

The son of Shealtiel, i.e. the grandson; for he was the son of Pedaiah, 1 Chronicles 3:17-19.

Built the altar; which was of more present and urgent necessity than the temple, both to make atonement to God for all their sins, and to obtain God’s assistance for the building of the temple, and to strengthen their own hearts and hands in that great work, wherein they saw they should have many enemies.

The feast of tabernacles seems to be mentioned synecdochically for all the solemnities of this month, whereof this was the most eminent and most lasting. Otherwise it is not probable that they would neglect the day of atonement, which was so severely enjoined, Leviticus 23:27-29, and was so exceeding suitable to their present condition: See Poole "Ezra 3:6".

The daily burnt-offerings, Heb. burnt-offerings day by day, i.e. every day of that feast they offered as many sacrifices as were prescribed; of which see Numbers 29:13, &c.

The continual burnt offering; thee morning and evening sacrifice; of which see on Numbers 28:6.

Consecrated, i.e. set apart for the solemn and holy service of God.

To offer burnt-offerings, and the other sacrifices which were to be offered with them upon that day, being the feast of trumpets, Numbers 29:1, &c. Burnt-offerings are oft put for all sacrifices, as hath been observed once and again.

The foundation of the temple was not yet laid; though it is probable they had done something towards the removing of the rubbish, and preparing the way for it.

Jeshua; not the high priest so called, but a Levite, of whom see Ezra 2:40.

To set forward the workmen; by their presence and favour to encourage them to a cheerful and vigorous prosecution of the work.

After the ordinance of David, Heb. by or according to the hands of David, i.e. in such manner and with such psalms, or songs, and instruments as God hath appointed by the hands or ministry of David.

Had seen the first house; which divers of them might very well do, because it was destroyed not quite sixty years ago, as is manifest from 2Ki 25 2Ch 36 Eze 40:1.

Wept with a loud voice; partly, because of the poor and small preparations made for this in comparison of what was made for the other temple; partly, because this temple was divested and destitute of those things which were the principal glory of the former temple, to wit, the ark, and the Urim and Thummim, &c.; partly, because these foundation stones were far inferior to the former, both for quantity and price, 1 Kings 7:9,10; and partly, because these foundations were of a far narrower compass than the former; for although the foundations of this house of the Lord, strictly so called, were at least of equal largeness with those of the former, by comparing 1 Kings 6:2, and Ezra 6:1-3; yet the foundations of the whole building belonging to the first temple, and adjoining to it, or in the courts of it, were far larger than these.