Ezra 3:10

And when the builders&c. By -the builders" is clearly meant the workmen, not, as some commentators, Zerubbabel and Jeshua.

they set the priests&c. So also R.V. text. (1) According to this reading, (a) the subject of the verb must be the leaders of the people (as described in Ezra 3:2); (b) the word -set" in the Hebrew is the same as -appointed" in Ezra 3:8 (see note); (c) and a parallelism may be noted between Ezra 3:8-11; Ezra 3:8; Ezra 3:10 describe the appointment(8) of the Levites, (10) of the priests; Ezra 3:9; Ezra 3:11 the work(9) of the Levites, (11) of the priests.

But the parallelism in other respects breaks down. In Ezra 3:8, the subject of the first clause (-Zerubbabel &c. began") is also the subject of the second (-and they appointed"). In Ezra 3:10 the subject of the first clause cannot (except by the very unlikely interpretation which identifies -the builders" with Zerubbabel and Jeshua) be taken as the subject of the second. Again in Ezra 3:8, after the word -appointed" we find the sign of the accusative before -the Levites" (so also in 1 Chronicles 15:17-18). In Ezra 3:10 its absence is very noteworthy, when taken in conjunction with the evidence for the other reading.

(2) According to some MSS. and ancient versions the priests stood, R.V. margin. This reading is supported by thirteenHebrew MSS. (according to Kennicott and de Rossi), by the LXX. (ἔστησαν), by the Vulgate (steterunt), and by the parallel version in 1Es 5:59 (-and the priests stood" &c.). It is more likely to have been the original reading, and to have been altered by the insertion of a single small letter (yôdh) so as to correspond with the form which appears in Ezra 3:8, -appointed". Supposing the received text to be the original, we have to account for (α) the omission of this letter in the authorities quoted above, (β) the absence of the sign of the accusative, (γ) the statement that Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the priests appointed the priests.

Adopting the intransitive -stood", (α) we are able to account for the common text by the supposition that it is a reproduction of the form used a few lines above; (β) the construction is perfectly simple, cf. 2Ch 29:26; 2 Chronicles 35:10; (γ) though the parallelism of verses is lost, the order of the sentences is less artificial; with the introduction of the foundation of the Temple a fresh subject is started; (δ) in the ceremonies of the Temple the priests would be independent, -they stood": the expression -they caused to stand or set", though suitable as applied to -the Levites", the subordinate order (Ezra 3:8), is less suitable as applied to -the priests".

in their apparel literally -arrayed" or -vestured", i.e. in their priestly garments, cf. Ezra 2:69. In the similar description given in 1 Chronicles 5:12 the same word receives closer definition -arrayed in white linen" or -byssus".

with trumpets as in 1 Chronicles 15:24; 1 Chronicles 16:6; 2 Chronicles 5:12. The priests were specially commissioned to blow the sacred trumpets. Numbers 10:8.

with cymbals David assigned the instrumental music to the Levites, the cymbals especially to the sons of Asaph. Compare 1 Chronicles 25:1 with 1 Chronicles 16:4-5; 1 Chronicles 25:6.

after the ordinance of David king of Israel R.V. after the order of &c. The same phrase occurs in 1 Chronicles 25:2, -after the order of the king", (R.V. marg. Heb. - by the hands of the king").