Ezra 3

Ezra 3:1

THe seventh meneth] Either he means, when they had dwelt six moneths in the cities of Judah, after their return, or else in the seventh moneth of the yeer called Tishri, containing the part of September, and part of October: for in that moneth were two feasts, and a fast. See Leviticus 23:24. Num. 29. 1, 7, 12. and therefore it was time to set up the altar, for many sacrifices were to be offered.

was come] Or, drew nigh.

were in the cities] Or, that were.

gathered] Or, had gathered.

Ezra 3:2

Jeshua] Or, Joshua, Hag. 1. 1.

Zerubbabel] Called Zorobabel, Matthew 1:12. Luke 3:27.

the son] It seems he was his brothers son, for he was the son of Pedaiah, 1 Chronicles 3:19. But he might be called his son for succeeding him in place or inheritance.

of Seale] Matthew 1:12. Luke 3:27. called Salathiel.

written in the law of Moses] Deuteronomy 12:5.

Ezra 3:3

upon his bases] In the place where Solomon had placed it.

for] Or, though, as Psalms 23:4. Joshua 17:18.

fear was upon them] The fear of their enemies is given as a reason, either why they did it no sooner, or why they built no more now but the altar, or why they did it now; to wit, by sacrifice to seek Gods help against their enemies. Or, though they had much cause of terrour, yet they couragiously built the altar.

Ezra 3:4

as it is written] Exodus 23:16.

offered the daily burnt-offerings by number] Numbers 29:12, &c.

as the duty of every day required] Heb. the matter of the day in his day.

Ezra 3:5

afterward] That is, after the feast of tabernacles was done.

offered the continuall burnt-offering] Either he means the daily burnt-offerings, or such as were for the feasts onely, Exodus 29:39.

Ezra 3:6

the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid] Heb. the temple of the Lord was not yet founded.

Ezra 3:7

carpenters] Or, workmen.

to the sea of] Or, on the sea to.

Joppa] Acts 9:36. Because Joppa was the most convenient port, from whence it might by land be conveyed to Jerusalem.

Ezra 3:8

unto the house of God at Jerusalem] To the place where the temple stood before.

in the second moneth] Which moneth containeth part of April, and part of May: for in the mean season they provided things needfull for the work, vers. 7.

Ezra 3:9

Then stood Jeshua, with his sons and his brethren] They gave them exhortations not to fear the enemies, and stood to guard them, and encouraged every one, and so forwarded the work, 2 King. 25. 2, 9. 2 Chron. 36. 11, 19. Ezekiel 40:1.

Judah] Or, Hodaviah, chap. 2. 40.

together] Heb. as one.

Ezra 3:10

ordinance of David king of Israel] 1 Chron. 6. 31. and 16. 7. and 25. 1.

Ezra 3:12

that had seen the first house] As well some of them might, it being but about sixty yeers since the former was destroyed, which was done in the eleventh yeer after the captivity of Jeconiah, 2 King. 25.

wept with a loud voice] Because they saw by the foundation, that the temple was not like to so glorious, as Solomons had been. But Haggai comforts them with the coming of Christ into this very temple, which shall make it more glorious then the former, Haggai 2:4, &c.