Ezra 3:1-3

Rebuilding the Altar

1 When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, the people assembled together as one in Jerusalem.

2 Then Joshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.

3 Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening sacrifices.

Ezra 3:1-3 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. Nehemiah 7:73; Nehemiah 8:1
• 2. S Leviticus 23:24
• 3. S Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 12:1,8; Haggai 2:2
• 4. Haggai 1:1; Zechariah 6:11
• 5. 1 Chronicles 3:17
• 6. S Exodus 20:24; Deuteronomy 12:5-6
• 7. Ezra 4:4; Daniel 9:25
• 8. S Exodus 29:39; Numbers 28:1-8