Ezra 3:6

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt-offerings unto Jehovah: but the foundation of the temple of Jehovah was not yet laid.

Bible in Basic English

From the first day of the seventh month they made a start with the burned offerings, but the base of the Temple of the Lord had still not been put in its place.

Douay-Rheims 1899

From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer holocausts to the Lord: but the temple of God was not yet founded.

Free Bible Version

So from the first day of the seventh month, the Israelites began to present burnt offerings to the Lord, even though the foundation of the Lord's Temple had not been laid.

Geneva Bible 1599

From the first day of the seuenth moneth began they to offer burnt offrings vnto the Lord: but the foundation of the Temple of the Lord was not layed.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They began to offer up burnt offerings to Yahweh on the first day of the seventh month, although the temple had not been founded.

Noah Webster Bible

From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt-offerings to the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.

World English Bible

From the first day of the seventh month, they began to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh; but the foundation of Yahweh’s temple was not yet laid.

Young's Literal Translation

From the first day of the seventh month they have begun to cause burnt-offerings to ascend to Jehovah, and the temple of Jehovah hath not been founded,

Context

Sacrifices Restored

⁵After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings and those for New Moons and for all the appointed sacred feasts of the LORD, as well as all the freewill offerings brought to the LORD.⁶On 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.⁷They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.

Summary

In Ezra 3:6, we see the people of Israel coming together to rebuild the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem. This act symbolizes their commitment to worship and serve God, despite the challenges they faced. The restoration of the altar marked a significant step in the spiritual renewal of the community, reflecting their desire to prioritize their relationship with God. It also foreshadows the rebuilding of the temple, highlighting the importance of honoring God and seeking His presence above all else.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

From the first of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord,.... And which day was not only a new moon, but a grand festival, the feast of blowing of trumpets, Lev 23:24, and no doubt but they observed the tenth day of this month, with all the rites of it, which was the day of atonement, Lev 23:27, but the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid; they began first with sacrifices, that having thereby given thanks to God for their return to their own land, and for all the benefits they enjoyed, and made atonement for their sins in a typical way, they might be the more prepared and fit for the work of building the temple; or, "though the foundation" of it was not laid (z), yet they offered the above sacrifices. (z) Etsi, Michaelis.