L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 3:1-13
THE ALTAR AND SACRIFICES RESUMED (vv. 1-8) Though the building of the temple did not begin until the second month of the second year (v. 8), the children of Israel gathered together "as one man" in the seventh month of the year to Jerusalem, that is, the same year they returned to Judah. At least they could build the altar of God, which symbolized their relationship with God on the basis of sacrifice. We too can have no relationship with God apart from the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary.... read more
Geneva Study Bible - Ezra 3:2
3:2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the {b} son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as [it is] written in the law of Moses the man of God.(b) Meaning nephew, for he was the son of Pedaiah, 1 Chronicles 3:19. read more