CHAPTER III _The altar of burnt-offerings is set up_, 1-3. _They keep the feast of tabernacles_, 4-6. _They make provision for rebuilding the temple; and lay its_ _foundation in the second month of the second year_, 7, 8. _Ceremonies observed in laying the foundation_, 9-11. _Some weep aloud,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 3:2. _JESHUA THE SON OF JOZADAK_] He was grandson of Seraiah the high priest, who was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 25:18; 2 Kings 25:21. This Jeshua or Joshua was the first high priest after the captivity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 3:3. _THEY SET THE ALTAR UPON HIS BASES_] Rebuilt it on the _same spot_ on which it had formerly stood. As it was necessary to keep up the Divine worship during the time they should be employed in re-edifying the temple, they first reared this altar of burnt-offerings; and all this they d... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 3:4. _THEY KEPT ALSO THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, AS_ IT IS _WRITTEN_] This began on the _fifteenth_ day of the seventh month; but they had begun the regular offerings from the _first day_ of this month, Ezra 3:6. And these were religiously continued all the time they were building the templ... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 3:7. _THEY GAVE MONEY ALSO_] They copied the conduct of Solomon while he was building his temple; see 1 Kings 5:11. He employed the Tyrians, gave them meat and drink, c. and this permission they now had from Cyrus.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 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.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 3:10. _AFTER THE ORDINANCE OF DAVID_] With _psalms_ which he composed, acting in the _manner_ which he directed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Ezra 3:12. _WEPT WITH A LOUD VOICE_] They saw that the glory had departed from Israel; in their circumstances it was impossible to build such a house as the first temple was; and had this been even possible, still it would have been greatly inferior, because it wanted the ark of the covenant,... [ Continue Reading ]