Ezr 3 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ezra 3:1-4:5: 3:1–4:5 After resettling in various towns in Judah, the community turned to restoring the worship of God at Jerusalem. They quickly rebuilt the altar and began regular sacrifices in time to celebrate the Jewish festivals (3:4 ), and then they began the more difficult task of rebuilding the Temple itself (3:8 ). Soon they faced opposition from local foreigners (4:1-5 ). 3:1 Festivals in early autumn (literally in the seventh month ) included the Festival of Trumpets (see Lev 23:23-25 ), the Day of Atonement (see Lev 16 ), and the Festival of Shelters (see Lev 23:34-36 ).

Summary for Ezra 3:1-4:5: 3:1–4:5 ^a After resettling in various towns in Judah, the community turned to restoring the worship of God at Jerusalem. They quickly rebuilt the altar and began regular sacrifices in time to celebrate the Jewish festivals (3:4 ^b), and then they began the more difficult task of rebuilding the Temple itself (3:8 ^c). Soon they faced opposition from local foreigners (4:1-5 ^d). 3:1 ^e Festivals in early autumn (literally in the seventh month) included the Festival of Trumpets (see Lev 23:23-25 ^f), the Day of Atonement (see Lev 16 ^g), and the Festival of Shelters (see Lev 23:34-36 ^h).
3:2 ⁱ Jeshua (Hag 1:1 ^j; Zech 3:1 ^k) was the high priest (Neh 12:1 ^l). However, Ezra never used this title (Ezra 2:2 ^m; 3:2 ⁿ; 4:3 ^o; 5:2 ^p), which suggests that the title was given after the Temple was completed (6:15 ^q).

• Zerubbabel served as the Persian-appointed governor of Judah (Hag 1:1 ^r), most likely after the death of Sheshbazzar (see study note on Ezra 1:8). He was the grandson of King Jehoiachin of Judah (1 Chr 3:17 ^s).
3:3 ^t The local residents were foreigners resettled from abroad by the Assyrian king Esarhaddon (680–669 BC) after the people of the northern kingdom of Israel were exiled in 722 BC (2 Kgs 17:24-40 ^u). Some had moved into the Jerusalem area during Judah’s seventy-year exile. A pagan altar might have been erected on the site, and it needed to be torn down before the new one, dedicated to the Lord, could be built.

• at its old site (Literally on its foundations): It was important to place the altar at the exact sacred spot where Solomon’s altar had been to connect with the authentic worship carried on before the Exile.

• Daily morning and evening sacrifices (see Exod 29:38-42 ^v; Num 28:3-8 ^w) dedicated the day to God.
3:4 ^x The seven-day Festival of Shelters ... prescribed in the Law (Lev 23:33-36 ^y; Num 29:12-38 ^z; Deut 16:13-16 ^aa) reminded the people of God’s guidance and care during the forty years the nation spent in tents during the wilderness journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. This festival was especially significant to those who had just experienced a similar journey from a foreign land, living in tents as they walked to the Promised Land.
Summary for Ezra 3:5-6: 3:5-6 ^ab The catalog of sacrifices, offered even before the Temple’s foundation was laid, showed the people’s enthusiasm for faithfully worshiping God at every opportunity. They did everything exactly as they were instructed in the law.

• The new moon celebrations took place on the first day of every Hebrew month; the sacrifices and blowing of trumpets reminded the people of God’s covenant with them (Num 10:10 ^ac; 28:11-15 ^ad).

• Voluntary offerings were such gifts as money for building the Temple (Exod 35:29 ^ae; 36:3 ^af). The Hebrew term can also refer to peace offerings of meat or bread that were eaten to celebrate fellowship with God (Lev 7:11-21 ^ag).
3:7 ^ah Tyre and Sidon: Few tall and straight trees grew in the dry climate of Judah, and those that had grown in Israel had already been cut down. Therefore, skilled laborers were hired in countries that had tall trees (see also 1 Chr 22:1-5 ^ai; 2 Chr 2:7-16 ^aj).
3:8 ^ak In midspring, the dry season was beginning and workers would not have to contend with mud.

• The second year after they arrived was probably 536 BC. The delay in rebuilding reflects the time it took to get wood from Lebanon to Jerusalem.

• The work force was made up of everyone: This showed the spirit of unity among the returned exiles. Putting the Levites ... in charge ensured that the work was done according to God’s specifications.
Summary for Ezra 3:10-11: 3:10-11 ^al The music at this dedication ceremony sounded similar to the singing when Solomon first brought the Ark into the Temple (2 Chr 5:12-13 ^am). Both events caused the worshipers to givesing praise and thanks ... to the Lord for his faithful covenant love and goodness.

• as King David had prescribed: See 1 Chr 25:1-7 ^an.
3:12 ^ao Those who wept aloud either were disappointed that the foundation of the Temple wasn’t as wonderful as the old one had been (cp. Hag 2:3 ^ap) or were deeply moved with joy at seeing the Temple of the Lord restored.