Ezra 3:8-11 NIV

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 3:8

Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem ,.... The place where it formerly stood; the Jews seem to have set out from Babylon, in the spring of the preceding year, as it was now of this; which to Jerusalem was a journey of about four months, as Ezra performed it, Ezra 7:9 , but might take up longer time for such a body of people to do it in, being larger than that with him; wherefore, after they had visited their respective cities, and settled their affairs... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 3:9

Then stood Jeshua, with his sons ,.... Not Jeshua the high priest before mentioned, but Jeshua the Levite, Ezra 2:40 , and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together ; the same with Hodaviah, Ezra 2:40 to set forward the workmen in the house of God ; to give them orders to begin and lay the foundation, and hasten and animate them to it: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites : two of this man's sons are mentioned in Nehemiah... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 3:10

And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord ,.... The masons, whose work it was, Ezra 3:7 they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets ; these were set in a proper place by the prince and the high priest, in their priestly garments, with trumpets in their hands to blow with, as the foundation was laying: and the Levites the sons of Asaph, with cymbals to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel ; these were instruments of brass,... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 3:8

In the second year - The previous time had been employed in clearing the ground, felling timber, hewing stones, and transporting them to the place, and making other necessary preparations for the commencement of the building. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 3:10

After the ordinance of David - With psalms which he composed, acting in the manner which he directed. 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

In the second year. In b.c. 537, the second year of Cyrus in Babylon, which was also the second year of their coming ( i.e. after their coming) to the (ruined) house of God ( Ezra 2:68 ), began Zerubbabel, and the others, and appointed the Levites. Small as the number of the Levites who returned with Zerubbabel was, to them especially was intrusted the work of the house of the Lord, i.e. the superintendence of the workmen employed to rebuild it (see Ezra 3:9 ). read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 3:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 3:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 3:10

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 3:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 3:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:7-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:7-13

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 3:8

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