Ezra 3:2

_THEN STOOD UP JESHUA THE SON OF JOZADAK, AND HIS BRETHREN THE PRIESTS, AND ZERUBBABEL THE SON OF SHEALTIEL, AND HIS BRETHREN, AND BUILDED THE ALTAR OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL, TO OFFER BURNT OFFERINGS THEREON, AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES THE MAN OF GOD._ Joshua - was the grandson of Seraiah, the high priest put to death by Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah (2 Kings 25:18). His father, Josedech, had been carried captive to Babylon, and died there, sometime before this. ZERUBBABEL - was, according to the order of nature, son of Pedaiah (1 Chronicles 3:17), but having been brought up by Salathiel, was called his son. BUILDED THE ALTAR OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL, TO OFFER BURNT OFFERINGS THEREON. This was of urgent and immediate necessity-in order, first, to make a

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....

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....

Jeshua, the high priest, was the son of Jozadak, who was carried into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar 1 Chronicles 6:15. Zerubbabel was really the son of Pedaiah, Shealtiel’s (or Salathiel’s) younger brother. But Shealtiel having no sons, and the royal line being continued in the person of his nephew, Zerubbabel, the latter was accounted Shealtiel’s son....

§ 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

THEN STOOD UP JESHUA THE SON OF JOZADAK,.... Who was the high priest, and the proper person to give the lead in the following work: AND HIS BRETHREN THE PRIESTS; the common priests, very fit to join him, and assist him in it: AND ZERUBBABEL, THE SON OF SHEALTIEL; the prince and governor of Judah, whose presence was necessary to give countenance to the work, and animate to it: AND HIS BRETHREN; the princes and heads of the people, particularly those mentioned Ezra 2:2 AND BUILDED THE ALTAR OF THE GOD OF ISRAEL; the altar of burnt offering, gave orders for the building of it, and directions about it: TO OFFER BURNT OFFERINGS THEREON, AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES THE MAN OF GOD; or prophet of God, as the Syriac version; see...

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

JESHUA. The high priest. Spelled Joshua in Haggai 1:1; Haggai 2:2.Zechariah 3:1. JOZADAK. The son of Seraiah (1 Chronicles 6:14; 1 Chronicles 6:15). But Ezra was the son of Seraiah (Ezra 7:1). Therefore Ezra was brother to Jozadak and uncle to Joshua the high priest. ZERUBBABEL. Compare Matthew 1:12.

_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....