Ezra 3:2

Then stood up … to offer

Jeshua the High-priest (cf. Ezra 2:2) mentioned here in connexion with sacrifice, before Zerubbabel; in Ezra 3:8 after Zerubbabel in connexion with the work of rebuilding the Temple.

Jeshua's brethren are the priests: Zerubbabel's brethren -the heads of fathers" houses" (cf. Ezra 2:2; Ezra 2:68).

Zerubbabel called here for the first time -son of Shealtiel". See note on Ezra 2:2.

and builded a ceremonious act performed by the heads of the people.

the altar of the God of Israel cf. Ezra 1:3. We are reminded by this term of the unity of the divided and scattered people. The altar, the place of sacrifice, symbolized the approach of the whole people.

as it is written in the law of Moses cf. Ezra 6:18; 2 Chronicles 23:18; 2Ch 35:12; 2 Chronicles 35:26. The offerings for the 1st day of Tisri, the Feast of Trumpets, are described in Numbers 29:1-6.

the man of God For the phrase used of Moses, cf. 1Ch 23:14; 2 Chronicles 30:16.