Ezra 3:1

_AND WHEN THE SEVENTH MONTH WAS COME, AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE IN THE CITIES, THE PEOPLE GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER AS ONE MAN TO JERUSALEM._ When the seventh month was come. The departure of "the children of the province" (Ezra 2:1: cf. Nehemiah 8:6) - the returning exiles of Judah and Benjamin-from Babylon took place in spring; and for some time after their arrival they were occupied in the necessary work of rearing habitations to themselves amid the ruins of Jerusalem and its neighbourhood, because there were neither streets, gates, nor fortified walls, nor commodious houses for their reception and protection. This preliminary work being completed, they addressed themselves to rebuild the altar of burnt offering, and, as the seventh month of the sacred year was at hand-corresponding to th

1-7 From the proceedings of the Jews on their arrival, let us learn to begin with God, and to do what we can in the worship of God, when we cannot do what we would. They could not at once have a temple, but they would not be without an altar. Fear of danger should stir us to our duty. Have we many enemies? Then it is good to have God our Friend, and to keep up communion with him. Our fears should drive us to our knees. The sacrifices for all these solemnities were a heavy expense for so poor a company; yet besides those expressly appointed, many brought free-will offerings to the Lord. And they made preparation for the building of the temple without delay: whatever God calls us to do, we may depend upon his providence to furnish us with the needful means....

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, and others shout for joy_, 12-18. NOTES ON CHAP. III Verse Ezra 3:1. _WHEN THE SEVENTH MONTH WAS COME_] The month _Tisri_, which answers to the latter part of our _September_, and beginning of _October_. It seems that the Israelites had left Babylon about the s

THE SEVENTH MONTH - i. e., the month Tisri (nearly our September), the most sacred month in the Jewish year Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:24....

§ 2. RESTORATION OF THE ALTAR OF BURNT SACRIFICE, AND CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. EXPOSITION RESTORATION OF THE ALTAR (Ezra 3:1). On their arrival in their own land, the exiles, it would seem, proceeded first of all to their several cities, reconnoitring the ground, as it were, and at first taking no step that could arouse the hostility or jealousy of the previous inhabitants. After a while, however, "when the seventh month was come," they ventured with some misgivings to restore and rebuild the great altar of burnt sacrifice, which Solomon had formerly erected in

AND WHEN THE SEVENTH MONTH WAS COME,.... The month Tisri, which answers to part of September and October; or when it "was approaching" p, for before it was actually come some following things were done, the people met, and an altar was built; for on the first day of it sacrifices were offered, Ezra 3:6, AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE IN THE CITIES; their respective cities, settling their domestic affairs: THE PEOPLE GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER AS ONE MAN TO JERUSALEM; the thing was universal, and done with as much dispatch as if only one man was concerned; and it seems to denote as if they were under a divine impulse, and came together without any consultation, or knowledge of each other's designs, and without summons. p ויגע "cum appropinquaret", Piscator....

SEVENTH MONTH That is, October; also (Ezra 3:6)....

CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The altar set up (Ezra 3:1)_ 2. The feast of tabernacles celebrated (Ezra 3:4) 3. The sacrifices brought (Ezra 3:5) 4. The foundation of the temple laid (Ezra 3:8) Ezra 3:1. How long the journey lasted is not stated. The previous chapter in its close states that all dwelt in their cities--”and all Israel in their cities.” The significant seventh month (Tishri) with its holy convocation (feast of trumpets, day of atonement and feast of tabernacles) having come, the remnant gathered “as one man to Jerusalem.” It was the time for such a general

THE BUILDING OF THE ALTAR FOR BURNT OFFERINGS. Ezra 3:1. the seventh month: presumably of the year of the return, 537 The seventh month is called Tisri in the Jewish calendar and is approximately equivalent to October. The first day of Tisri, which was probably that on which this ceremony took place, was known as the feast of Trumpets (lit. Horns) (see p. 104, Numbers 29:1), or _Yô m Teru- ah,_ Day of Shô far-blowing, and _Zikrô n Teru- ah,_ Memory of Shô far-blowing (see Leviticus 23:24 *; _cf._ Psalms 81:3). Ezra 3:2. builded the altar: t

SEVENTH MONTH. Tisri. See App-51. CHILDREN. sons. OF ISRAEL. See note on Ezra 2:2, and 1 Kings 12:17. THE CITIES. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "their cities". TO. in. Therefore this was _after_ Nehemiah 7:1....