Ezra 3:4. They kept also the feast of tabernacles This seems to be mentioned for all the solemnities of the month, whereof this was the most eminent; otherwise it is not probable that they would neglect the day of atonement, which was so solemnly enjoined, (Leviticus 23:27-29,) and was so exceeding suitable to their present condition. read more
Ezra 3:5. And afterward offered the continual burnt-offering The morning and evening sacrifice. The law required much, but they offered more; for though they had little wealth, they had much zeal. Happy they that bring with them out of the furnace of affliction such a holy heat as this! read more
3:1-6:22 THE TEMPLE REBUILTWork begins (3:1-13)Non-Jewish people living in and around Jerusalem were not pleased at the return of the Jews to the area. The Jews were understandably afraid, and wanted to ensure God’s protection by carrying out their religious duties faithfully. The mid-year festival season was approaching (see Leviticus 23:23-43), so the Jews quickly built an altar on which to offer their sacrifices. This marked the recommencement of regular sacrifices and festivals according to... read more
kept, &c. As recorded also in the parallel passage (Nehemiah 8:1-18 ). as it is written. See Leviticus 23:34-43 .Deuteronomy 16:13-15 , and compare 1 Kings 8:2 , 1 Kings 8:65 . read more
4, 6. They kept also the feast of tabernacles . . . From the first day of the seventh month—They revived at that time the daily oblation, and it was on the fifteenth day of that month the feast of tabernacles was held. read more
The erection of the altar 3:1-6The text does not record exactly when the exiles arrived in Jerusalem, but it was probably sometime in 537 B.C. since Cyrus issued his decree in 538 B.C. The "seventh month" (Ezra 3:1) of the Jew’s sacred calendar was Tishri (late September through early October). [Note: See the appendix at the end of these notes for the Hebrew Calendar.] The people assembled in Jerusalem then to erect the altar of burnt offerings, the centerpiece of their worship (cf. Genesis... read more
The Refounding of the Temple1. The seventh month] i.e. Sept.-Oct. of (probably) 537 b.c.2. Jeshua] called in Haggai 1:1; ’Joshua.’ His father Jozadak had been carried into exile by Nebuchadnezzar (1 Chronicles 6:15). Son of Shealtiel] In 1 Chronicles 3:19; Zerubbabel is called the son of Pedaiah, the brother of Shealtiel (Salathiel). The discrepancy may be explained by the suppositions (a) that he was the real son of Pedaiah and the legal son of Shealtiel (Pedaiah having married Shealtiel’s... read more
(4) According to the custom—It is necessary here to read Deuteronomy 16:0, Leviticus 23:0, Numbers 29:0 The intention obviously is to lay stress on the provision made for an entire renewal of the Mosaic economy of service, as appears in the next verse. read more
(5) Both of the new moons.—And of the new moons. The whole verse is general and anticipatory. The new moons, the three feasts, and the constant presentation of freewill offerings, added to the daily sacrifice, made up the essentials of ritual; all being, like the arrangements in the Book of Leviticus, fixed before the Temple was built, and afterwards observed. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:5
PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT OF THE DAILY SACRIFICE , THE SET FEASTS , AND THE OFFERING OF FREE - WILL OFFERINGS ( Ezra 3:5 , Ezra 3:6 ). Having set up the altar, and celebrated the particular festival which the revolving year happened to have brought round, and which it would have been wrong to neglect, the exiles re-established permanently three things:— 1. The daily sacrifice; 2. The celebration of the new moons and other regular feasts; and 3. The... read more