Ezra 3:3

3 Even though they were afraid of the people living around them, they built the altar where it had been before. And they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord morning and evening.

Ezra 3:3 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 3:3

And they set the altar upon his bases
Which might remain of the old altar; or the meaning is, that it was fixed and settled on the same spot where it stood before:

for fear was upon them, because of the people of those countries;
and therefore they hastened to erect an altar, and offer sacrifices to the Lord, in hope that he would appear for them, and help them against their enemies; or rather, as some render the words ^F17 "though fear was upon them" yet they were not deterred from the work, worship, and service of God:

and they offered burnt offerings unto the Lord, even burnt offerings,
morning and evening;
the daily sacrifice, as directed to ( Exodus 29:38 Exodus 29:39 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 (yk) "quamvis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Patrick.

Ezra 3:3 In-Context

1 In the seventh month, after the Israelites were settled in their home- towns, they met together in Jerusalem.

2 Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests joined Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and began to build the altar of the God of Israel where they could offer burnt offerings, just as it is written in the Teachings of Moses, the man of God.

3 Even though they were afraid of the people living around them, they built the altar where it had been before. And they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord morning and evening.

4 Then, to obey what was written, they celebrated the Feast of Shelters. They offered the right number of sacrifices for each day of the festival.

5 After the Feast of Shelters, they had regular sacrifices every day, as well as sacrifices for the New Moon and all the festivals commanded by the Lord. Also there were special offerings brought as gifts to the Lord.