Bible Chapter Summary
Ezra 3 Summary
The Altar and Temple Foundation Laid
In the seventh month, the assembled people gather at Jerusalem and Jeshua and Zerubbabel build the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings. They keep the feast of tabernacles and offer continual burnt offerings despite their fear of the peoples of the lands. In the second year, they lay the foundation of the temple with priests in their apparel, Levites with cymbals, praising and giving thanks; the people shout with a great shout, though many ancient men who remembered the first temple weep loudly.
Key themes
Key verses
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.”
Ezra 3:6
“From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.”
Ezra 3:10
“And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.”
Ezra 3:12
“But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:”
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