Ezra 3:11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 3:8-13

There was no dispute among the returned Jews whether they should build the temple or no; that was immediately resolved on, and that it should be done with all speed; what comfort could they take in their own land if they had not that token of God's presence with them and the record of his name among them? We have here therefore an account of the beginning of that good work. Observe, I. When it was begun-in the second month of the second year, as soon as ever the season of the year would permit... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 3:11

And they sang together by course ,.... They sang by turns in responses, and answered one another, as the word signifies; when one company had performed their part, another took theirs: in praising and giving thanks to the Lord ; for returning them to their own land, and giving them opportunity, ability, and will, to set about the rebuilding of the temple of the Lord, and restoring the pure worship of God: because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever towards Israel ; which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:7-13

Thought, work, and feeling. We have in this passage— I. A TRUE THOUGHT ( Ezra 3:8 ). "Now in the second year of their coming," etc. We can easily imagine any orator among the company of the returned Jews making out a strong case for leaving the building of the temple till better days should dawn. The sufficiency of the altar already reared for the practical purposes of devotion; the readiness of God to accept any offering that came from the heart, however mean the outward... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:7-13

The founding of the temple. The worship of Israel during the first year of the restoration from Babylon was such as could be conducted around an altar in the open. The people naturally felt how imperfectly they could fulfil the law of Moses without a temple, with its courts, its veil, and its sacred furniture. They did not let discouragement paralyse them, but taxed their energies and resources. These words bring under our notice I. THE PREPARATORY WORK . 1. What was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:8-13

§ 3. REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE AND OPPOSITION MADE TO IT . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:8-13

The first stone. We now come in this story to a very critical time. The great work of the restoration of the house, for the sake of which the partial restoration of Israel to Canaan had been brought about and was to continue, at last is before us. We read, on the one hand, of the very last step in the way of prelude and preparation. We read, on the other, of the very first step in the way of actual construction. In both we shall find how much importance is attached to the juncture. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:8-13

The joyful and sorrowful in religious worship. Here we have illustrated the power of a right leadership, the wisdom of devout co-operation, and the progress of a great enterprise ( Ezra 3:8-10 ). I. The. JOYFUL . in religious WORSHIP . "They sang together" ( Ezra 3:11 ). 1. That God will deign to consecrate by his Presence the temple erected. God will dwell in the temple made with hands; what a condescension and benediction is this toward man; hence the joy. 2. What God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:11

They sang together by course. Literally, "They replied (to each other)," or sang antiphonically; the burthen of their song being, that God was good, and his mercy towards Israel everlasting. All the people shouted with a great shout. Shouting on occasions of secular joy and triumph has been practised by most nations, both in ancient and modern times. But religious shouting is less common. Still we hear of such shouting when the ark of the covenant was taken into the Israelite camp near... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:11-13

The foundation laid. The weeping of these old men was the first check on the enthusiasm of the builders of the temple. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and the prophecies of Zechariah and Haggai, which illustrate them, are a very troubled history: sorrow, disappointment, and indignation again and again break out; but until now there had been no consciousness of hindrances, or the consciousness had been suppressed. The time of preparation, which is pre-eminently the time of hope, was over;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 3:11-12

Ezra 3:11-12. And they sang together by course That is, answered one another alternately. And all the people shouted with a great shout The people were very differently affected upon this occasion. Those that had only known the misery of having no temple at all, praised the Lord with shouts of joy when they saw the foundation of this laid, for to them this was as life from the dead. But many that had seen the first house Which divers of them had, because it had not been destroyed quite... read more

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