Ezra 3:11-12

11 ¹They sang, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, saying, "²For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever." 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.

12 Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' households, ³the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy,

Ezra 3:11-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 3

This chapter relates how that the people of Israel returned from captivity, gathered to Jerusalem, and set up the altar, where sacrifices were offered, Ezr 3:1-3, and kept the feast of tabernacles, and offered the sacrifices of that, besides the daily sacrifice, and of other festivals; and contributed to the workmen that prepared for the building of the temple, Ezr 3:4-7 and began it by laying the foundation of it; which to some was matter of joy, to others of grief, on different accounts, Ezr 3:8-13.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Chronicles 7:3; Nehemiah 12:24, 40
• 2. 1 Chronicles 16:34; 2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalms 100:5; Psalms 106:1; Psalms 107:1; Psalms 118:1; Psalms 131:1; Jeremiah 33:11
• 3. Haggai 2:3

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "house"