Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezra 3
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Ezra 3
Charles Ellicott Commentary
Ezra 3
"And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem." — Ezra 3:1 (ASV)
The seventh month was come. —Rather, approached. Tisri, answering to our September, was the most solemn month of the year, including the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles, afterwards distinguished as “the feast” pre-eminently.
As one man. —Not all, but with one consent.
"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 3:2 (ASV)
Built the altar. —Only as the beginning of their work. The Temple was, as it were, built around the altar, as the centre of all.
Moses the man of God. —Like David, Nehemiah 12:24; Nehemiah 12:36.
"And they set the altar upon its base; for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the countries: and they offered burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah, even burnt-offerings morning and evening." — Ezra 3:3 (ASV)
Upon his bases. —Upon its old site, or its place, discovered among the ruins. Thus was it signified that all the new was to be only a restoration of the old.
For fear was upon them. —Until their offerings went up they did not feel sure of the Divine protection. This was their first act of defiance in the presence of the nations around: near the altar they were strong.
"And they kept the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and [offered] the daily burnt-offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required;" — Ezra 3:4 (ASV)
According to the custom —It is necessary here to read Deuteronomy 16, Leviticus 23, and Numbers 29. The intention obviously is to lay stress on the provision made for an entire renewal of the Mosaic economy of service, as appears in the next verse.
"and afterward the continual burnt-offering, and [the offerings] of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of Jehovah that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill-offering unto Jehovah." — Ezra 3:5 (ASV)
Both of the new moons. — And of the new moons. The whole verse is general and anticipatory. The new moons, the three feasts, and the constant presentation of freewill offerings, added to the daily sacrifice, made up the essentials of ritual; all of these were, like the arrangements in the Book of Leviticus, established before the Temple was built and afterwards observed.
Jump to: