Ezra 3

1 the seventh month. Called “Ethanim” (1 Kings viii. 2), in which fell the feasts of Trumpets and of Tabernacles and the fast of the day of Atonement. It is called by the rabbis Tishri, and answers to parts of September and October.

2 builded the altar. The first care of the Jews on their return was the institution of religious worship.

3 upon his (its) bases. Probably the old foundations.

for fear was upon them, etc. They looked to Jehovah for protection, and therefore proceeded immediately to rebuild His altar.

7 to bring cedar trees, etc. As had been done for the former Temple: see 2 Chron. ii. 16.

9. Jeshua. Mentioned as head of a Levitical family in ii. 40, which sec. He was a different person from Jeshua the high priest.

10 they set the priests. Another reading found in several MSS. is “the priests stood” (R.V., marg.).

11 they sang together by course. i.e., anti-phonally. Some of the psalms are supposed to have been written about this period, particularly Psa. cvii., cxv., cxvi., cxxvi.

12 the first house. Though the second Temple was as large as the first, if not larger, yet it could not approach the magnificence of that upon which the wealth of David and Solomon had been expended; and—what was much more important—it wanted some of those extraordinary marks of the Divine presence and favour which constituted the chief glory of the former Temple; especially the ark of the covenant, with the mercy-seat upon it, and the holy fire on the altar. But the prophet Haggai was commissioned to comfort the people by the assurance that these deficiencies should be abundantly compensated by the coming Messiah, and His presence in this house (Hag. ii. 2-9).