Ezra Chapter 3 — Rebuilding the Altar and Temple Foundation
The returning exiles restore the altar in Jerusalem to resume sacrifices and celebrate feasts before laying the foundation for the new temple.
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Notable Verses
Ezra 3:3
“In spite of their fear because of the peoples of the surrounding lands, they set the altar on its base; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.”
This verse highlights the priority the people placed on restoring worship despite external threats and fear.
Ezra 3:11
“They sang to one another in praising and giving thanks to the LORD, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Israel.””
This refrain of praise was a central part of the celebration when the temple foundation was finally laid.
Ezra 3:12
“But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice.”
This records the poignant emotional contrast between the younger generation's joy and the older generation's grief.
Chapter Summary
Ezra Chapter 3 details the restoration of Jewish worship following the return from Babylonian exile. Led by Jeshua the priest and Zerubbabel, the people gather in Jerusalem to rebuild the altar of God. Despite fearing the surrounding nations, they begin offering daily burnt offerings and observing the Feast of Booths according to the Law of Moses. In the second year of their return, work begins on the temple itself. Levites are appointed to oversee the construction, and when the foundation is finally laid, a great ceremony of praise takes place involving trumpets and cymbals. The event is marked by a powerful mix of emotions: many people shout for joy, while the older generation, who remembered the glory of Solomon's original temple, weep loudly. The combined sound of joy and mourning is heard from a great distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The rebuilding was led by Jeshua the priest, son of Jozadak, and Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel. They were supported by their fellow priests, Levites, and the returning exiles who gathered in Jerusalem as one body.
They celebrated the Feast of Booths (Sukkot) as prescribed in the Law of Moses. Following this, they resumed daily burnt offerings and observed other set feasts such as the New Moon offerings.
The older generation of priests, Levites, and family heads had seen Solomon’s original temple before its destruction. Seeing the foundation of the new temple caused them to weep, likely because it reminded them of what was lost or seemed less grand in comparison.
The Israelites used cedar trees from Lebanon, which were brought by sea to Joppa. This was done according to the grant they had received from King Cyrus of Persia and involved trading food, drink, and oil with the people of Sidon and Tyre.
Study Note
The phrase 'as one man' in the first verse emphasizes the remarkable national unity of the returning exiles in their shared mission to restore Jerusalem's worship.
Related Chapters
Exodus 23
This chapter contains the original instructions for the Feast of Booths observed by the exiles.
1 Kings 6
Describes the construction of the first temple, which the older generation in Ezra 3 remembered.
Haggai 2
The prophet Haggai addresses the discouragement of those who felt the second temple foundation was inferior to the first.
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