Ezra 3 Study Notes: Altar Rebuilt and Temple Foundation Laid
The returned exiles rebuild the altar in Jerusalem and resume daily sacrifices despite fear of their neighbors, then keep the Feast of Tabernacles. The temple foundation is laid in their second year back; priests and Levites praise God’s goodness, and elders who knew the first temple weep while others shout for joy.
General
When the people gathered in Jerusalem during the seventh month, what did Jeshua and Zerubbabel build first (Ezra 3:1-2)?
Answer: An altar for burnt offerings, as Moses’ law directed
Before any work on the temple itself, the people gathered as one in Jerusalem, and Jeshua with the other priests, together with Zerubbabel and his companions, built the altar so that burnt offerings (animal sacrifices burned whole to the LORD) could be offered as Moses’ law laid down (3:1-2). Worship came first. The law told Israel to bring burnt offerings only where the LORD chose (Deuteronomy 12:13-14), and it required a regular offering every morning and evening (Exodus 29:38-42), which they began at once (3:3).
- Ezra 3:2 (BSB)“Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.”Jeshua and Zerubbabel with their associates build the altar to offer burnt offerings as written in the Law of Moses.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (BSB)“Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.”Burnt offerings were to be made only at the place the LORD would choose.
- Exodus 29:38-42 (BSB)“This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. And offer the second lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you.”The law required a regular burnt offering every morning and evening at the altar.
Theological
What was the first structure the returned community built in Jerusalem, according to Ezra 3:1-2?
Answer: An altar for burnt offerings, as Moses’ law directed
Before laying a single stone of the temple, the assembled community, led by Jeshua with the priests and Zerubbabel with his associates, rebuilt the altar so that burnt offerings could be made according to the Mosaic law (3:1-2). Sacrifice at the site the LORD had chosen (Deuteronomy 12:13-14) and the daily morning and evening offering (Exodus 29:38-42) were resumed before anything else. Restored worship, not restored buildings, is the first priority of the returned remnant.
- Ezra 3:2 (BSB)“Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.”Jeshua and Zerubbabel with their associates build the altar to offer burnt offerings as written in the Law of Moses.
- Deuteronomy 12:13-14 (BSB)“Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see; you must offer them only in the place the LORD will choose in one of your tribal territories, and there you shall do all that I command you.”Burnt offerings were to be made only at the place the LORD would choose.
- Exodus 29:38-42 (BSB)“This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight. With the first lamb offer a tenth of an ephah of fine flour, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives, and a drink offering of a quarter hin of wine. And offer the second lamb at twilight with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning, as a pleasing aroma, a food offering to the LORD. For the generations to come, this burnt offering shall be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD, where I will meet you to speak with you.”The law required a regular burnt offering every morning and evening at the altar.
General
How did the returned exiles get cedar for the temple, according to Ezra 3:7?
Answer: They paid Tyrians and Sidonians in provisions to ship it to Joppa
They paid the stoneworkers and woodworkers with money and gave provisions to Tyrians and Sidonians (people of Phoenician coastal cities north of Israel) so they would ship cedar from Lebanon down the coast to Joppa, all as Cyrus had allowed (3:7). This closely matches how Solomon gathered timber for the first temple, when the king of Tyre’s men floated logs along the coast to Joppa in exchange for food (2 Chronicles 2:16; 1 Kings 5:9). In their second year back, Zerubbabel and Jeshua began the work and put Levites twenty years old and older in charge of it (3:8-9), the age David had set for Levitical service (1 Chronicles 23:27-28).
- Ezra 3:7 (BSB)“They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.”The returned exiles pay workers and supply Sidon and Tyre with provisions to bring cedar from Lebanon to Joppa.
- Ezra 3:8 (BSB)“In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD.”In the second year the leaders begin the work and appoint Levites twenty and older to supervise it.
- 2 Chronicles 2:16 (BSB)“We will cut logs from Lebanon, as many as you need, and we will float them to you as rafts by sea down to Joppa. Then you can take them up to Jerusalem.””For Solomon’s temple, logs from Lebanon were floated by sea to Joppa.
- 1 Kings 5:9 (BSB)“My servants will haul the logs from Lebanon to the Sea, and I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate the logs, and you can take them away. And in exchange, you can meet my needs by providing my household with food.””Solomon’s timber was brought by sea in exchange for food for the king of Tyre’s household.
- 1 Chronicles 23:27-28 (BSB)“For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted, but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God,”David’s final instructions counted Levites from twenty years old to serve in the house of the LORD.
Theological
By what arrangement does Ezra 3:7 say cedar was obtained for the rebuilding?
Answer: They paid Tyrians and Sidonians in provisions to ship it to Joppa
Craftsmen were paid in money, while Tyrians and Sidonians received provisions in exchange for shipping Lebanese cedar to Joppa, under Cyrus’ authorization (3:7). The arrangement closely resembles Solomon’s preparations for the first temple, when timber was floated by sea to Joppa and paid for with food (2 Chronicles 2:16; 1 Kings 5:9). The work then began in their second year back, with Levites from twenty years old upward appointed as overseers (3:8-9), following David’s final arrangement for the Levites (1 Chronicles 23:27-28). The second temple is built in continuity with the first.
- Ezra 3:7 (BSB)“They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.”The returned exiles pay workers and supply Sidon and Tyre with provisions to bring cedar from Lebanon to Joppa.
- Ezra 3:8 (BSB)“In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD.”In the second year the leaders begin the work and appoint Levites twenty and older to supervise it.
- 2 Chronicles 2:16 (BSB)“We will cut logs from Lebanon, as many as you need, and we will float them to you as rafts by sea down to Joppa. Then you can take them up to Jerusalem.””For Solomon’s temple, logs from Lebanon were floated by sea to Joppa.
- 1 Kings 5:9 (BSB)“My servants will haul the logs from Lebanon to the Sea, and I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate the logs, and you can take them away. And in exchange, you can meet my needs by providing my household with food.””Solomon’s timber was brought by sea in exchange for food for the king of Tyre’s household.
- 1 Chronicles 23:27-28 (BSB)“For according to the final instructions of David, the Levites twenty years of age or older were counted, but their duty was to assist the descendants of Aaron with the service of the house of the LORD, being responsible for the courts and chambers, the purification of all the holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God,”David’s final instructions counted Levites from twenty years old to serve in the house of the LORD.
General
Which feast did the returned exiles celebrate during the seventh month, following what was written (Ezra 3:4)?
Answer: Feast of Tabernacles
They held the Feast of Tabernacles (a week-long harvest festival held each autumn) just as the law laid it down, presenting the set number of burnt offerings for each day (3:4). Moses’ law placed this feast during the seventh month, called for rejoicing before the LORD, and had Israel live in shelters to remember how God led them out of Egypt (Leviticus 23:39-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-15). The law also set out the feast’s burnt offerings day by day, beginning with the first day (Numbers 29:12-13).
- Ezra 3:4 (BSB)“They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.”The people celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and offer the prescribed daily burnt offerings.
- Leviticus 23:39-43 (BSB)“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to celebrate a feast to the LORD for seven days. There shall be complete rest on the first day and also on the eighth day. On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. You are to celebrate this as a feast to the LORD for seven days each year. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come; you are to celebrate it in the seventh month. You are to dwell in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths, so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’””The law set this feast during the seventh month with rejoicing and living in booths in memory of the exodus.
- Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (BSB)“You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.”The Feast of Tabernacles was to be a week of rejoicing before the LORD.
- Numbers 29:12-13 (BSB)“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days. As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The law prescribed the burnt offerings for the feast, beginning with its first day.
Theological
Which appointed feast does Ezra 3:4 record the remnant keeping according to the written law?
Answer: Feast of Tabernacles
The remnant observed the Feast of Tabernacles at its proper season, with the daily burnt offerings in the numbers the law prescribed (3:4). The festival was ordained for the seventh month as a time of rejoicing before the LORD and of living in booths in remembrance of the exodus (Leviticus 23:39-43; Deuteronomy 16:13-15), and Numbers sets out its sacrifices day by day, beginning with the first (Numbers 29:12-13).
- Ezra 3:4 (BSB)“They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day.”The people celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and offer the prescribed daily burnt offerings.
- Leviticus 23:39-43 (BSB)“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to celebrate a feast to the LORD for seven days. There shall be complete rest on the first day and also on the eighth day. On the first day you are to gather the fruit of majestic trees, the branches of palm trees, and the boughs of leafy trees and of willows of the brook. And you are to rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. You are to celebrate this as a feast to the LORD for seven days each year. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come; you are to celebrate it in the seventh month. You are to dwell in booths for seven days. All the native-born of Israel must dwell in booths, so that your descendants may know that I made the Israelites dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’””The law set this feast during the seventh month with rejoicing and living in booths in memory of the exodus.
- Deuteronomy 16:13-15 (BSB)“You are to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. And you shall rejoice in your feast—you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levite, as well as the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widows among you. For seven days you shall celebrate a feast to the LORD your God in the place He will choose, because the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that your joy will be complete.”The Feast of Tabernacles was to be a week of rejoicing before the LORD.
- Numbers 29:12-13 (BSB)“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days. As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a food offering, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished,”The law prescribed the burnt offerings for the feast, beginning with its first day.
General
When the foundation was laid, what did the priests and Levites sing responsively to the LORD (Ezra 3:11)?
Answer: That God is good and His faithful love for Israel never ends
They sang back and forth, thanking the LORD because He is good and His loving devotion (His loyal, faithful love for the people bound to Him by covenant) toward Israel lasts forever; then the whole crowd shouted loudly in praise because the foundation had been laid (3:11). It was the same refrain sung when Solomon’s temple was dedicated (2 Chronicles 5:13) and found throughout the Psalms (Psalm 136:1). Jeremiah had promised that after the land lay desolate, voices would again be heard in Jerusalem bringing thank offerings and singing this very praise (Jeremiah 33:10-11). Their praise centered on God’s enduring faithfulness.
- Ezra 3:11 (BSB)“And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.”The priests and Levites sing responsively of the LORD’s goodness and enduring loving devotion, and the people shout.
- 2 Chronicles 5:13 (BSB)“The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud”The same refrain was sung when Solomon’s temple was dedicated.
- Psalm 136:1 (BSB)“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm gives thanks to the LORD for His goodness and enduring loving devotion.
- Jeremiah 33:10-11 (BSB)“This is what the LORD says: In this place you say is a wasteland without man or beast, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted—inhabited by neither man nor beast—there will be heard again the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.”Jeremiah foretold that this thanksgiving would be heard again in Jerusalem after the desolation.
Theological
What was the content of the responsive song of praise sung at the laying of the foundation (Ezra 3:11)?
Answer: That God is good and His faithful love for Israel never ends
The responsive song celebrated the LORD’s goodness and His covenant loving devotion toward Israel, which lasts forever, while the people answered with a great shout because the foundation was laid (3:11). The refrain had sounded at the dedication of Solomon’s temple (2 Chronicles 5:13) and runs through the Psalms (Psalm 136:1). Jeremiah had foretold that this same thanksgiving would again be heard in a desolate Jerusalem when the LORD brought the land back from exile (Jeremiah 33:10-11). The returned remnant’s praise rests on God’s unfailing covenant faithfulness, which outlasted both judgment and exile.
- Ezra 3:11 (BSB)“And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.”The priests and Levites sing responsively of the LORD’s goodness and enduring loving devotion, and the people shout.
- 2 Chronicles 5:13 (BSB)“The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud”The same refrain was sung when Solomon’s temple was dedicated.
- Psalm 136:1 (BSB)“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever.”The psalm gives thanks to the LORD for His goodness and enduring loving devotion.
- Jeremiah 33:10-11 (BSB)“This is what the LORD says: In this place you say is a wasteland without man or beast, in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted—inhabited by neither man nor beast—there will be heard again the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those bringing thank offerings into the house of the LORD, saying: ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good; His loving devotion endures forever.’ For I will restore the land from captivity as in former times, says the LORD.”Jeremiah foretold that this thanksgiving would be heard again in Jerusalem after the desolation.
General
Who wept aloud at the sight of the new temple’s foundation (Ezra 3:12)?
Answer: Elderly leaders who remembered Solomon’s temple before its fall
Many elderly priests, Levites and clan leaders had known the first temple, the one Solomon built, before Babylon destroyed it. When they saw this new foundation they wept aloud, while many others shouted for joy, and the two sounds mixed so that no one could tell them apart, and the noise carried far (3:12-13). The reason for their tears is not given. Years later the prophet Haggai asked who still remembered how splendid the earlier house had been, and whether the new one looked like nothing beside it (Haggai 2:3). Through Zechariah the LORD asked who would scorn a time of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10), and a psalm of return speaks of those who plant with tears gathering the harvest with joyful shouts (Psalm 126:5-6).
- Ezra 3:12-13 (BSB)“But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple. Still, many others shouted joyfully. The people could not distinguish the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people were making so much noise. And the sound was heard from afar.”Older leaders who had seen the first temple weep while others shout for joy, and the sounds cannot be told apart.
- Haggai 2:3 (BSB)“‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not appear to you like nothing in comparison?’”Haggai speaks to those who remembered the former temple and found the new one as nothing by comparison.
- Zechariah 4:10 (BSB)“For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.””The LORD rebukes those who despise the day of small things in the rebuilding.
- Psalm 126:5-6 (BSB)“Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.”A psalm of return speaks of sowing in tears and reaping with shouts of joy.
Theological
Which group responded with loud weeping at the laying of the foundation (Ezra 3:12)?
Answer: Elderly leaders who remembered Solomon’s temple before its fall
Elderly priests, Levites and clan leaders who had known Solomon’s temple wept aloud at the sight of the new foundation, while many others shouted for joy, the sounds so mingled that they could not be distinguished and were heard far off (3:12-13). The reason for their tears is not given. Years later Haggai addressed those who remembered the former house and found the new one as nothing by comparison (Haggai 2:3), while through Zechariah the LORD asked who would scorn a time of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10). A psalm of return captures the same blend of tears and joy in God’s restoring work (Psalm 126:5-6).
- Ezra 3:12-13 (BSB)“But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple. Still, many others shouted joyfully. The people could not distinguish the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people were making so much noise. And the sound was heard from afar.”Older leaders who had seen the first temple weep while others shout for joy, and the sounds cannot be told apart.
- Haggai 2:3 (BSB)“‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not appear to you like nothing in comparison?’”Haggai speaks to those who remembered the former temple and found the new one as nothing by comparison.
- Zechariah 4:10 (BSB)“For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.””The LORD rebukes those who despise the day of small things in the rebuilding.
- Psalm 126:5-6 (BSB)“Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain.”A psalm of return speaks of sowing in tears and reaping with shouts of joy.
General
True or False: The returned exiles waited until the temple’s foundation was laid before they began sacrificing to the LORD.
Answer: False
This is false. From the seventh month’s first day they were already sacrificing burnt offerings, though the temple’s foundation had not yet been laid (3:6). Along with the daily offerings they kept the New Moon and festival offerings, and brought freewill offerings as well (3:5). The law required a regular offering each day, morning and evening (Numbers 28:3-4), and even before Solomon’s temple existed, burnt offerings had been made on the altar every morning and evening (1 Chronicles 16:40). Worship at the altar did not wait for the building; the foundation came later, in the second year (3:8-10).
- Ezra 3:6 (BSB)“On the first day of the seventh month, the Israelites began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid.”Burnt offerings begin on the first day of the seventh month, before the temple foundation is laid.
- Numbers 28:3-4 (BSB)“And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight,”The law required a regular burnt offering every morning and evening.
- 1 Chronicles 16:40 (BSB)“to regularly present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offerings, morning and evening, according to all that was written in the Law of the LORD, which He had commanded Israel to keep.”Before the temple was built, burnt offerings were presented regularly on the altar morning and evening.
Theological
True or False: Sacrificial worship resumed only after the second temple’s foundation had been laid.
Answer: False
This is false. Burnt offerings began on the seventh month’s first day, while the temple’s foundation was still unlaid (3:6), together with the New Moon, festival and freewill offerings (3:5). The daily offering commanded in the law (Numbers 28:3-4) had likewise been maintained on the altar before Solomon’s temple stood (1 Chronicles 16:40). The altar, not the building, was the indispensable center of Israel’s worship; the foundation followed in the second year (3:8-10).
- Ezra 3:6 (BSB)“On the first day of the seventh month, the Israelites began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid.”Burnt offerings begin on the first day of the seventh month, before the temple foundation is laid.
- Numbers 28:3-4 (BSB)“And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight,”The law required a regular burnt offering every morning and evening.
- 1 Chronicles 16:40 (BSB)“to regularly present burnt offerings to the LORD on the altar of burnt offerings, morning and evening, according to all that was written in the Law of the LORD, which He had commanded Israel to keep.”Before the temple was built, burnt offerings were presented regularly on the altar morning and evening.
General
True or False: At the laying of the foundation, the priests and Levites arranged their praise according to instructions from King Cyrus.
Answer: False
This is false. When the foundation was laid, robed priests took up trumpets and Asaph’s Levite descendants took up cymbals to lead praise, following the order that King David had set up, not Cyrus (3:10). David had appointed Levites to offer thanks and praise before the LORD, with Asaph leading on cymbals and priests blowing trumpets (1 Chronicles 16:4-7), and he and the army commanders designated some of Asaph’s sons for this ministry of music (1 Chronicles 25:1). The returned community resumed the pattern of worship David had established.
- Ezra 3:10 (BSB)“When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed.”At the foundation-laying the priests with trumpets and the Levites with cymbals praise the LORD as David had prescribed.
- 1 Chronicles 16:4-7 (BSB)“David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:”David appointed Levites to praise the LORD, with Asaph on cymbals and priests on trumpets.
- 1 Chronicles 25:1 (BSB)“Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:”David set apart some of Asaph’s sons for the ministry of music with cymbals.
Theological
True or False: The liturgical order followed at the founding of the second temple was the one prescribed by Cyrus.
Answer: False
This is false. Robed priests sounded trumpets and Asaph’s Levite descendants played cymbals, taking their stations as David had prescribed (3:10). This was the order David established when he appointed Levites to thank and praise the LORD, with Asaph on cymbals and priests on trumpets (1 Chronicles 16:4-7), and when he and the army commanders designated some of Asaph’s sons for that service (1 Chronicles 25:1). Cyrus authorized the rebuilding, but the shape of the worship came from Israel’s own covenant tradition.
- Ezra 3:10 (BSB)“When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed.”At the foundation-laying the priests with trumpets and the Levites with cymbals praise the LORD as David had prescribed.
- 1 Chronicles 16:4-7 (BSB)“David appointed some of the Levites to minister before the ark of the LORD, to celebrate, to give thanks, and to praise the LORD, the God of Israel. Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals and the priests Benaiah and Jahaziel blew the trumpets regularly before the ark of the covenant of God. On that day David first committed to Asaph and his associates this song of thanksgiving to the LORD:”David appointed Levites to praise the LORD, with Asaph on cymbals and priests on trumpets.
- 1 Chronicles 25:1 (BSB)“Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service:”David set apart some of Asaph’s sons for the ministry of music with cymbals.
General
What does Ezra 3:3 say the returned exiles felt as they rebuilt the altar?
Answer: They were afraid of the peoples living around them
Verse 3 says they put the altar back on its base and began the daily morning and evening sacrifices, though they were afraid of the surrounding peoples (3:3). Fear did not stop their worship. Scripture says that fearing people is a trap, while the one who trusts the LORD is kept safe (Proverbs 29:25), and the psalmist answers his fear by trusting God (Psalm 56:3-4). The opposition they feared would soon become real, when the local peoples tried to frighten them out of building (Ezra 4:4).
- Ezra 3:3 (BSB)“They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land.”They set the altar on its foundation and offer morning and evening burnt offerings, though they fear the people of the land.
- Proverbs 29:25 (BSB)“The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.”Fearing people is a snare, but trusting the LORD brings safety.
- Psalm 56:3-4 (BSB)“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”The psalmist answers fear by trusting God.
- Ezra 4:4 (BSB)“Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.”The local peoples soon try to discourage and frighten the builders.
Theological
What emotional condition does Ezra 3:3 attribute to the returned exiles as they restored the altar?
Answer: They were afraid of the peoples living around them
The altar was placed on its base and the daily offerings begun in spite of fear of the peoples around them (3:3). The remnant’s worship proceeds not from the absence of fear but in the face of it, the response Scripture commends: fearing man ensnares, but trust in the LORD sets one securely on high (Proverbs 29:25), and the psalmist meets fear with trust (Psalm 56:3-4). The threat was real, as the opposition of the next chapter shows (Ezra 4:4).
- Ezra 3:3 (BSB)“They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land.”They set the altar on its foundation and offer morning and evening burnt offerings, though they fear the people of the land.
- Proverbs 29:25 (BSB)“The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.”Fearing people is a snare, but trusting the LORD brings safety.
- Psalm 56:3-4 (BSB)“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”The psalmist answers fear by trusting God.
- Ezra 4:4 (BSB)“Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build.”The local peoples soon try to discourage and frighten the builders.