History · Chapter 3 of 10
Ezra 3
In the seventh month the returned people gather as one to Jerusalem. Jeshua and Zerubbabel build the altar and restore the burnt offerings and the Feast of Tabernacles, though the temple foundation is not yet laid. They arrange for materials and workers, and in the second year lay the temple's foundation with praise. The old men weep, remembering the first temple, while others shout for joy.
What happens in Ezra 3
When the seventh month comes, the people gather as one man to Jerusalem. Jeshua the priest and Zerubbabel build the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings as written in the law of Moses, setting it on its bases despite fear of the surrounding peoples. They offer morning and evening sacrifices, keep the Feast of Tabernacles, and resume the appointed offerings, though the temple foundation is not yet laid. They pay workmen and send food to the Sidonians and Tyrians to bring cedar from Lebanon, by Cyrus's grant.
In the second year, Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the Levites begin the work. When the builders lay the foundation, the priests with trumpets and the Levites with cymbals praise the LORD, singing that He is good and His mercy endures forever. The people shout, but the old men who had seen the first temple weep aloud, so the noise of joy and weeping cannot be distinguished, heard far off.
Ezra 3 in context
Around 537 to 536 BC the returnees prioritized worship, rebuilding the altar before the temple itself. Restoring sacrifice and the festivals reestablished covenant life even amid insecurity. The mixed response at the foundation, with elders who had seen Solomon's glorious temple weeping, sets up Haggai's later encouragement that the latter glory would exceed the former.
The cedar from Sidon and Tyre echoes the building of the first temple.
Main themes of Ezra 3
Ezra 3 (KJV)
1And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening. 4They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required; 5And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. 6From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. 7They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. 8Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD. 9Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. 10And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. 11And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. 12But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many 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 afar off.
Verses to carry from Ezra 3
“And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.”Ezra 3:3
“And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.”Ezra 3:11
“But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So 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 afar off.”Ezra 3:12-13
Thematic connection
How Ezra 3 points to Jesus
The first thing the returnees restored was the altar and its sacrifices, for there is no drawing near to God without atonement. Every burnt offering they resumed pointed forward to the one sacrifice of Christ, who by a single offering perfected forever those who are sanctified. They laid a foundation and praised that God's mercy endures forever, and that enduring mercy is finally embodied in Jesus, the sure foundation on which God builds His true temple.
The tears of the old men, longing for a greater glory, would be answered beyond their hoping, for the Lord Himself would one day enter a temple on that site, and a glory greater than Solomon's would stand there in the flesh. The blended joy and weeping of God's rebuilding people is gathered up in the cross, where sorrow and salvation meet.
Questions about Ezra 3
Why did the people build the altar before the temple itself?
Because restoring worship and sacrifice was their first priority, even before the temple structure or their own security was settled (Ezra 3:2-3). Despite fear of hostile neighbors, they set the altar on its bases and offered burnt offerings morning and evening. They understood that fellowship with God through atonement came first, and everything else would follow from a people rightly worshiping Him.
Why did some weep while others rejoiced at the foundation?
The younger people shouted for joy that the temple was being rebuilt, but the old men who had seen Solomon's glorious first temple wept, knowing this one would be far humbler (Ezra 3:12). Both responses were genuine. There was real cause for joy in God's mercy and real grief over what had been lost. God received both, and the sounds blended into one great noise heard far off.
Reflection
Before walls or comfort, the returnees rebuilt the altar and worshiped, even while afraid. What comes first when you begin again after loss? They gave God praise before the work was finished, trusting His enduring mercy. And they made room for both joy and tears. God receives the whole of what we bring Him.
A prayer from Ezra 3
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