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Ezra 3

BSB·13 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1By the seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֔יhaš·šə·ḇî·‘î — seventh; occurring on the seventh day or in a series of sevenH7637 — Full Word Study → monthהַחֹ֣דֶשׁha·ḥō·ḏeš — A month; lunar period; new moonH2320 — Full Word Study →, the Israelitesוּבְנֵ֥יū·ḇə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → had settledוַיִּגַּע֙way·yig·ga‘ — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study → in their townsבֶּעָרִ֑יםסbɛ·ʿå̄·rī·ms — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →, and the peopleהָעָ֛םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → assembledוַיֵּאָסְפ֥וּway·yê·’ā·sə·p̄ū — to gather, assemble, collectH622 — Full Word Study → as oneאֶחָ֖ד’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → manכְּאִ֥ישׁkə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → inאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Jerusalemיְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃סyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →. 2Then Jeshuaיֵשׁ֨וּעַyê·šū·a‘ — Salvation or God savesH3442 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Jozadakיֽוֹצָדָ֜קyō·w·ṣā·ḏāq — Jozadak, a high priest of IsraelH3136 — Full Word Study → and his fellowוְאֶחָ֣יוwə·’e·ḥāw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֗יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →, along with Zerubbabelוּזְרֻבָּבֶ֤לū·zə·rub·bā·ḇel — Seed of BabylonH2216 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Shealtielשְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙šə·’al·tî·’êl — Shealtiel, a post-exilic Jewish leaderH7597 — Full Word Study → and his associatesוְאֶחָ֔יוwə·’e·ḥāw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →, beganוַיָּקָם֩way·yā·qām — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → to buildוַיִּבְנ֕וּway·yiḇ·nū — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → the altarמִזְבַּ֖חmiz·baḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study → of the Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י’ĕ·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → to sacrificeלְהַעֲל֤וֹתlə·ha·‘ă·lō·wṯ — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → burnt offeringsעֹל֔וֹת‘ō·lō·wṯ — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study → on itעָלָיו֙‘ā·lāw — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, as it is writtenכַּכָּת֕וּבkak·kā·ṯūḇ — to write, inscribe, or record in written formH3789 — Full Word Study → in the Lawבְּתוֹרַ֖תbə·ṯō·w·raṯ — instruction, teaching, law, guidanceH8451 — Full Word Study → of Mosesמֹשֶׁ֥הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → the manאִישׁ־’îš- — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִֽים׃hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 3They set upוַיָּכִ֤ינוּway·yā·ḵî·nū — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → the altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ham·miz·bê·aḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → its foundationמְכ֣וֹנֹתָ֔יוmə·ḵō·w·nō·ṯāw — Stand, base, pedestal, foundationH4350 — Full Word Study → and sacrificedוַיַּעַלway·ya·ʿal — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → burnt offeringsעֹלוֹת֙‘ō·lō·wṯ — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study → on itעֲלֵיהֶ֔ם‘ă·lê·hem — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →—both the morning and eveningוְלָעָֽרֶב׃wə·lā·‘ā·reḇ — Evening, the time of day when sun setsH6153 — Full Word Study → burnt offeringsעֹל֖וֹת‘ō·lō·wṯ — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study →even thoughכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they fearedבְּאֵימָ֣הbə·’ê·māh — Terror, dread, fearful aweH367 — Full Word Study → the peopleמֵעַמֵּ֖יmê·‘am·mê — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → of the landהָאֲרָצ֑וֹתhā·’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. 4They also celebratedוַֽיַּעֲשׂ֛וּway·ya·‘ă·śū — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → the Feastחַ֥גḥaḡ — Appointed feast or festival celebrationH2282 — Full Word Study → of Tabernaclesהַסֻּכּ֖וֹתhas·suk·kō·wṯ — A temporary shelter or booth constructed from branches or woven materialH5521 — Full Word Study → in accordance with what is writtenכַּכָּת֑וּבkak·kā·ṯūḇ — to write, inscribe, or record in written formH3789 — Full Word Study →, and they offered burnt offeringsוְעֹלַ֨תwə·‘ō·laṯ — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study → dailyי֤וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → based on the numberבְּמִסְפָּ֔רbə·mis·pār — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study → prescribedכְּמִשְׁפַּ֖טkə·miš·paṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → for each dayי֥וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →. 5After thatוְאַחֲרֵיכֵ֞ןwə·’a·ḥă·rê·ḵên — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →, they presented the regularתָּמִיד֙tā·mîḏ — continually, perpetually, alwaysH8548 — Full Word Study → burnt offeringsעֹלַ֤ת‘ō·laṯ — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study → and those for New Moons and for allוּלְכָל־ū·lə·ḵāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the appointedמוֹעֲדֵ֥יmō·w·‘ă·ḏê — appointed time; solemn assemblyH4150 — Full Word Study → sacred feastsהַמְקֻדָּשִׁ֑יםham·qud·dā·šîm — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, as well as allוּלְכֹ֛לū·lə·ḵōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the freewill offeringsנְדָבָ֖הnə·ḏā·ḇāh — Voluntary offering; willing gift; freewill contributionH5071 — Full Word Study → broughtמִתְנַדֵּ֥בmiṯ·nad·dêḇ — to volunteer willingly; offer oneself freelyH5068 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 6On the firstאֶחָד֙’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → dayמִיּ֤וֹםmî·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the seventhהַשְּׁבִיעִ֔יhaš·šə·ḇî·‘î — seventh; occurring on the seventh day or in a series of sevenH7637 — Full Word Study → monthלַחֹ֣דֶשׁla·ḥō·ḏeš — A month; lunar period; new moonH2320 — Full Word Study →, the Israelites began to offerלְהַעֲל֥וֹתlə·ha·‘ă·lō·wṯ — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → burnt offeringsעֹל֖וֹת‘ō·lō·wṯ — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, although the foundation of the temple of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had not been laidיֻסָּֽד׃yus·sāḏ — to found, establish, lay a foundationH3245 — Full Word Study →. 7They gaveוַיִּ֨תְּנוּ־way·yit·tə·nū- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → moneyכֶ֔סֶףḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → to the masonsלַחֹצְבִ֖יםla·ḥō·ṣə·ḇîm — To hew, cut, or carve outH2672 — Full Word Study → and carpentersוְלֶחָרָשִׁ֑יםwə·le·ḥā·rā·šîm — skilled craftsman or artisan; one who works with handsH2796 — Full Word Study →, and foodוּמַאֲכָ֨לū·ma·’ă·ḵāl — Food, sustenance, or provisions for eatingH3978 — Full Word Study → and drinkוּמִשְׁתֶּ֜הū·miš·teh — Feast, banquet, or festive mealH4960 — Full Word Study → and oilוָשֶׁ֗מֶןwā·še·men — Oil; ointment; fat; luxuryH8081 — Full Word Study → to the people of Sidonלַצִּֽדֹנִים֙laṣ·ṣi·ḏō·nîm — Sidonians, from SidonH6722 — Full Word Study → and Tyreוְלַצֹּרִ֔יםwə·laṣ·ṣō·rîm — Inhabitant of TyreH6876 — Full Word Study → to bringלְהָבִיא֩lə·hā·ḇî — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → cedarאֲרָזִ֤ים’ă·rā·zîm — cedar tree; cedar woodH730 — Full Word Study → logsעֲצֵ֨י‘ă·ṣê — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study → fromמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → Lebanonהַלְּבָנוֹן֙hal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn — White mountainH3844 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Joppaיָפ֔וֹאyā·p̄ō·w — Beautiful harbor cityH3305 — Full Word Study → by seaיָ֣םyām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study →, as authorizedכְּרִשְׁי֛וֹןkə·riš·yō·wn — Permission, authorization, or grantH7558 — Full Word Study → by Cyrusכּ֥וֹרֶשׁkō·w·reš — Persian KingH3566 — Full Word Study → kingמֶֽלֶךְ־me·leḵ- — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Persiaפָּרַ֖סpā·ras — Persia, the empireH6539 — Full Word Study →. 8In the secondהַשֵּׁנִ֑יhaš·šê·nî — second; again; another; otherH8145 — Full Word Study → monthבַּחֹ֖דֶשׁba·ḥō·ḏeš — A month; lunar period; new moonH2320 — Full Word Study → of the secondהַשֵּׁנִ֗יתhaš·šê·nîṯ — second; again; another; otherH8145 — Full Word Study → yearוּבַשָּׁנָ֣הū·ḇaš·šā·nāh — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → after they had arrivedלְבוֹאָ֞םlə·ḇō·w·’ām — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → atאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the houseבֵּ֤יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Godהָֽאֱלֹהִים֙hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → in Jerusalemלִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םlî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study →, Zerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֣לzə·rub·bā·ḇel — Seed of BabylonH2216 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־be·nōš- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Shealtielשְׁ֠אַלְתִּיאֵלšə·ʾal·tî·ʾēl — Shealtiel, a post-exilic Jewish leaderH7597 — Full Word Study →, Jeshuaוְיֵשׁ֨וּעַwə·yê·šū·a‘ — Salvation or God savesH3442 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Jozadakיֽוֹצָדָ֜קyō·w·ṣā·ḏāq — Jozadak, a high priest of IsraelH3136 — Full Word Study →, and the restוּשְׁאָ֥רū·šə·’ār — Remnant, remainder, what is leftH7605 — Full Word Study → of their associatesאֲחֵיהֶ֣ם׀’ă·ḥê·hem — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study → including the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →, the Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּ֗םwə·hal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study →, and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who had returnedהַבָּאִים֙hab·bā·’îm — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to Jerusalemיְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔םyə·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → from the captivityמֵהַשְּׁבִ֣יmê·haš·šə·ḇî — captivity, exile, or the captured/enslaved peopleH7628 — Full Word Study →, began the work. They appointedוַיַּעֲמִ֣ידוּway·ya·‘ă·mî·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֗םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → twentyעֶשְׂרִ֤ים‘eś·rîm — The number twenty; a complete group or scoreH6242 — Full Word Study → years of ageמִבֶּ֨ןmib·ben — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → or olderוָמַ֔עְלָהwā·ma‘·lāh — Above, over, upward; superiority in place or rankH4605 — Full Word Study → to superviseלְנַצֵּ֖חַlə·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ — to lead, conduct, or excel; to direct as chief musicianH5329 — Full Word Study → the constructionמְלֶ֥אכֶתmə·le·ḵeṯ — Work, labor, occupation; manufactured goods or craftH4399 — Full Word Study → of the houseבֵּית־bêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃פYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 9So Jeshuaיֵשׁ֡וּעַyê·šū·a‘ — Salvation or God savesH3442 — Full Word Study → and his sonsבָּנָ֣יוbā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and brothersוְ֠אֶחָיוwə·’e·ḥāw — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →, Kadmielקַדְמִיאֵ֨לqaḏ·mî·’êl — God is ancientH6934 — Full Word Study → and his sonsוּבָנָ֤יוū·ḇā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → (descendantsבְּנֵֽי־bə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Yehudahיְהוּדָה֙yə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →), and the sons of Henadadחֵֽנָדָ֔דḥê·nā·ḏāḏ — Favor of HadadH2582 — Full Word Study → and their sonsבְּנֵיהֶ֥םbə·nê·hem — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and brothersוַאֲחֵיהֶ֖םwa·’ă·ḥê·hem — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →all Levitesהַלְוִיִּֽם׃hal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study →joinedוַיַּעֲמֹ֣דway·ya·‘ă·mōḏ — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → togetherכְּאֶחָ֔דkə·’e·ḥāḏ — One; unity; single; firstH259 — Full Word Study → to superviseלְנַצֵּ֛חַlə·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ — to lead, conduct, or excel; to direct as chief musicianH5329 — Full Word Study → those workingעֹשֵׂ֥ה‘ō·śêh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → on the houseבְּבֵ֣יתbə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםסhå̄·ʾɛ̆·lō·hī·ms — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 10When the buildersהַבֹּנִ֖יםhab·bō·nîm — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → had laid the foundationוְיִסְּד֥וּwə·yis·sə·ḏū — to found, establish, lay a foundationH3245 — Full Word Study → of the templeהֵיכַ֣לhê·ḵal — Temple, palace, sanctuary structureH1964 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֨יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → in their apparelמְלֻבָּשִׁ֜יםmə·lub·bā·šîm — To clothe, dress, or wear garmentsH3847 — Full Word Study → with trumpetsבַּחֲצֹֽצְר֗וֹתba·ḥă·ṣō·ṣə·rō·wṯ — trumpet; ceremonial wind instrumentH2689 — Full Word Study →, and the Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּ֤םwə·hal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study → (the sonsבְּנֵֽי־bə·nê- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Asaphאָסָף֙’ā·sāp̄ — Asaph: A GathererH623 — Full Word Study →) with cymbalsבַּֽמְצִלְתַּ֔יִםbam·ṣil·ta·yim — Cymbal; a metal percussion instrumentH4700 — Full Word Study →, took their positionsוַיַּעֲמִידוּ֩way·ya·‘ă·mî·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study → to praiseלְהַלֵּל֙lə·hal·lêl — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, asעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Davidדָּוִ֥ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study → kingמֶֽלֶךְ־me·leḵ- — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → had prescribedיְדֵ֖יyə·ḏê — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 11And they sang responsivelyוַֽ֠יַּעֲנוּway·ya·‘ă·nū — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study → with praiseבְּהַלֵּ֨לbə·hal·lêl — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → and thanksgivingוּבְהוֹדֹ֤תū·ḇə·hō·w·ḏōṯ — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →: “Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → He is goodט֔וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →; forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → His loving devotionחַסְדּ֖וֹḥas·dōw — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → endures foreverלְעוֹלָ֥םlə·‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study →.” Then allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the peopleהָעָ֡םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → gave a greatגְדוֹלָ֤הḡə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → shoutהֵרִיעוּ֩hê·rî·‘ū — to shout, cry out, make a loud noiseH7321 — Full Word Study → of praiseבְהַלֵּל֙ḇə·hal·lêl — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, because the foundation of the houseבֵּית־bêṯ- — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָֽה׃סYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → had been laidהוּסַ֥דhū·saḏ — to found, establish, lay a foundationH3245 — Full Word Study →. 12But manyוְרַבִּ֡יםwə·rab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → of the olderהַזְּקֵנִ֗יםhaz·zə·qê·nîm — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → priestsמֵהַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםmê·hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →, Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּם֩wə·hal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study →, and familyהָאָב֜וֹתhā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ — H1 — Full Word Study → headsוְרָאשֵׁ֨יwə·rā·šê — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → had seenרָא֜וּrā·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → the firstהָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙hā·ri·šō·wn — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study → templeהַבַּ֤יִתhab·ba·yiṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → weptבֹּכִ֖יםbō·ḵîm — to weep, cry, shed tearsH1058 — Full Word Study → loudlyבְּק֣וֹלbə·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → when they sawבְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔םbə·‘ê·nê·hem — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → the foundationבְּיָסְד֔וֹbə·yā·sə·ḏōw — to found, establish, lay a foundationH3245 — Full Word Study → of thisזֶ֤הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → templeהַבַּ֙יִת֙hab·ba·yiṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →. Still, manyוְרַבִּ֛יםwə·rab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → others shoutedבִּתְרוּעָ֥הbiṯ·rū·‘āh — Loud shout or trumpet blast of joyH8643 — Full Word Study → joyfullyקֽוֹל׃qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study →. 13The peopleהָעָ֗םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → could notוְאֵ֣יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → distinguishמַכִּירִים֙mak·kî·rîm — To recognize, acknowledge, regard, or treat as strangeH5234 — Full Word Study → the shoutsתְּרוּעַ֣תtə·rū·‘aṯ — Loud shout or trumpet blast of joyH8643 — Full Word Study → of joyהַשִּׂמְחָ֔הhaś·śim·ḥāh — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study → from the soundלְק֖וֹלlə·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of weepingבְּכִ֣יbə·ḵî — Weeping, tears, or act of cryingH1065 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the peopleהָעָ֑םhā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → were making so much noiseמְרִיעִים֙mə·rî·‘îm — to shout, cry out, make a loud noiseH7321 — Full Word Study →. And the soundוְהַקּ֥וֹלwə·haq·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → was heardנִשְׁמַ֖עniš·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → fromעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → afarלְמֵרָחֽוֹק׃פlə·mê·rā·ḥō·wq — distant, far away, remote in space or timeH7350 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Ezra 3
Chapter Overview

Overview of Ezra Chapter 3

Ezra 3 records the remarkable spiritual restoration of God's people following their return from Babylonian exile. Rather than delay, the remnant prioritizes worship by rebuilding the altar and resuming sacrificial offerings according to the Law of Moses. Though facing opposition from surrounding nations, they demonstrate bold faith by establishing proper worship before even laying the temple foundation. This chapter showcases how the returned exiles reclaim their covenant identity through obedience to God's revealed will and reminds us that worship must always take precedence in our walk with the Lord.

Verses 1–5: The Altar Rebuilt and Worship Restored

When the seventh month arrived (likely Tishri, the autumn religious season), the scattered Israelites gathered together in Jerusalem. Jeshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the civil leader immediately took action: they rebuilt the altar of the Lord and resumed burnt offerings according to Mosaic law. Verse 3 reveals a crucial detail—they were afraid of their pagan neighbors, yet they offered sacrifices anyway, demonstrating that fear of God transcends fear of man. The people kept the Feast of Tabernacles and offered daily, monthly, and seasonal sacrifices as prescribed.

This sequence teaches us something vital: the first act of a restored people must be worship. They did not begin with politics, commerce, or security. They began by acknowledging God's lordship through sacrifice. For believers today, this reminds us that spiritual priorities must come before practical concerns. When we gather as God's people, worship of the true God should be our first order of business.

Verses 6–7: Preparation and Support

The text emphasizes that burnt offerings began on the first day of the seventh month—before the temple foundation was even laid. This underscores their commitment: they would worship using what they had, not delay until conditions were perfect. Meanwhile, the community provided resources for construction: money for workers, provisions for Phoenician merchants, and cedar from Lebanon through King Cyrus's generous permission. The Persians, serving God's purposes unknowingly, facilitated the supply chain.

This reflects practical faith. The people understood that worship and work belong together, and both require genuine sacrifice and investment. They didn't use their poverty as an excuse for passivity.

Verses 8–11: The Foundation Laid with Joy and Sorrow

In the second year (536 BCE), construction began in earnest. Zerubbabel and Jeshua coordinated with Levites and priests to lay the temple's foundation. Verse 10 describes the solemn liturgy: priests in official garments with trumpets, Levites with cymbals, all following David's precedent. They sang praises declaring "He is good, for his mercy endureth for ever"—a confession of God's eternal covenant faithfulness.

The people erupted in celebration. Yet verse 12 unveils a poignant reality: the elderly who remembered Solomon's magnificent temple wept loudly. This second temple would be smaller, simpler, less glorious. Their tears mixed with younger people's shouts of joy created an indiscernible noise—sorrow and gladness intertwined.

This moment teaches that faithful obedience sometimes involves accepting "less" than past glory. The exiles could mourn what was lost, yet still rejoice in God's restoration. Both responses were valid; both honored God's work.

Application for Today

Ezra 3 challenges modern believers to examine our priorities. Do we prioritize worship and obedience despite opposition or inconvenience? Do we offer God our first resources, not our leftovers? When God restores us spiritually, are we willing to move forward even if our circumstances fall short of our hopes? The returned exiles teach us that a restored people always begins by worshiping together, trusting God's leadership, and accepting His timeline—whether it brings disappointment or delight.

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