Keraia
Ezra 3

Ezra 3:6

Sacrifices Restored · Ezra 3:1–7
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Translations

Modern
On the first day of the seventh month, the Israelites began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid.
Traditional
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.
Literal
From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to YHWH, and the temple of YHWH had not been founded.
Latin
A primo die mensis septimi cœperunt offerre holocaustum Domino: porro templum Dei nondum fundatum erat.

Original

Hebrew
English
On the first day of the seventh month, the Israelites began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid.

Notes

Ezra 3:5–6

  • The list of sacrifices, offered even before the temple's foundation was laid, showed the people's eagerness to worship God faithfully at every chance. They followed the law's instructions precisely.

  • The new moon celebrations occurred on the first day of each Hebrew month. The sacrifices and trumpet blasts reminded the people of God's covenant with them (Numbers 10:10; 28:11–15).

  • Voluntary offerings included gifts like money for building the temple (Exodus 35:29; 36:3). The Hebrew term can also refer to peace offerings of meat or bread, eaten to celebrate fellowship with God (Leviticus 7:11–21).

Ezra 3:1–4:5

After resettling in various towns in Judah, the community focused on restoring the worship of God in Jerusalem. They quickly rebuilt the altar and began regular sacrifices in time to celebrate the Jewish festivals (Ezra 3:4). Then, they started the more challenging task of rebuilding the temple itself (Ezra 3:8). Soon, they faced opposition from local foreigners (Ezra 4:1–5).

Theme notes and profiles

Zerubbabel

Glossary

Assumption of Moses Book of Ezra Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) First Book of Esdras Jehozadak Postexilic Period Temple

Topics

Altar in Solomon's Temple in Second Temple Daily offering: Sacrificial Ethanim: Altar Restored In, After the Captivity Liberality: Jews After the Captivity Month: Ethanim (October): Altar Rebuilt and offerings Renewed In Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Restore the Altar, and offer Sacrifices Temple: The Second: Restored by Zerubbabel the Second Temple: Divine Worship Commenced Before the Foundation Was Laid Zerubbabel: Appoints the Levites to Inaugarate the Rebuilding of the Temple Zerubbabel: Directs the Rebuilding of the Altar and Temple After his Return from Captivity in Babylon