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Ezra 3

13 verses

TL;DR

The Jews in Jerusalem rebuild their worship by first erecting an altar, offering sacrifices, then laying the temple's foundation, leading to mixed joy and sorrow.

Summary

When the seventh month came, the people of Israel gathered in Jerusalem and, under the leadership of Jeshua and Zerubbabel, constructed an altar and began offering burnt offerings, both daily and for the Feast of Tabernacles. They kept the continual offerings as commanded by the Law, even though the temple's foundation had not yet been laid. Materials and funds were gathered, including cedar from Lebanon brought by workers from Zidon and Tyre under the permission of King Cyrus. In the second year, the priests and Levites, especially those over twenty, were organized to advance the building work. When the foundation was laid, the priests and Levites worshiped with trumpets, cymbals, and singing, praising God’s enduring mercy. The crowd erupted in a loud shout of joy, while many ancient priests wept for the new temple’s sight, blending sorrow with celebration.

Outline
  1. Gathering and altar construction by Jeshua and Zerubbabel
  2. Continuing sacrifices and procurement of materials for the temple
  3. Laying of the foundation, worship, and communal joy mixed with weeping
Themes
Rebuilding and restoration after exileThe role of priesthood and community in worshipJoy and sorrow in communal memory
Keywords
altarburnt offeringTabernaclesfoundationcedarCyruspriestLevitejoyweeping
People
JeshuaJozadakZerubbabelShealtielKadmielHenadadCyrusLeviAsaph
Places
JerusalemJoppaLebanonZidonTyre
Things
altarburnt offeringsFeast of Tabernaclescontinual burnt offeringfoundation of the templecedar treestrumpetscymbals
Key Verses
  • Ezra 3:2: Shows the first act of worship—building the altar under Jeshua and Zerubbabel.
  • Ezra 3:7: Details the gathering of resources and foreign cooperation for the temple.
  • Ezra 3:11: Highlights the communal worship with instruments and praise.
  • Ezra 3:12: Illustrates the emotional response—joy and weeping—at the foundation.
Questions
  • What does the act of building an altar before the temple signify for the returned community?
  • How did the inclusion of foreign materials (cedar from Lebanon) influence the sense of restoration?
  • What is the theological significance of combining joy and sorrow when the foundation was laid?
  • In what ways does the leadership of Jeshua and Zerubbabel reflect the political and religious collaboration of the time?
  • How does the repeated mention of daily offerings demonstrate continuity with the Law?
Sentiment

mixed
The passage contains both joyful praise and profound sorrow.