Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Ezra 3:8 - 3:13
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Foundation of the Temple Laid
v. 8. Now, in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, about in April or the beginning of May, began Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, by whom he had been brought up, Cf 1Ch_3:17-19, and Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren, the priests and the Levites, as many as lived in or near Jerusalem, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem, and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord, to act as overseers and to expedite the work.
v. 9. Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah (or Hodaviah), together, all agreed on a plan of action, working in perfect harmony, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the Sons of Henadad with their sons and their brethren, the Levites. So the work, under the joint superintendence of all the Levites, moved forward systematically and efficiently.
v. 10. And when the builders laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord, when the formal celebration of the laying of the corner-stone or of the completion of the foundation was held, they set the priests in their apparel, in the garments of their office, with trumpets, the musical instruments used by the priests exclusively, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, 1Ch_13:8; 1Ch_15:16-19, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David, king of Israel.
v. 11. And they sang together by course, in antiphonal chorus chanting, in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord, because He is good, for His mercy endureth forever toward Israel, a section taken from one of the psalms of praise, as Psalm 106, 107, 118, or 136. And all the people, carried away with enthusiastic joy, shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, so much at least was accomplished toward the erection of this new Temple.
v. 12. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, of very great age, that had seen the first house, even if only in their early youth, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, when they estimated its dimensions and the size of the new Temple from the work done so far, wept with a loud voice, because it was evident to them that the size and the beauty of the new building would not reach that of Solomon's Temple, not to speak of the loss of the ark and of many other costly treasures which could not be replaced; and many shouted aloud for joy,
v. 13. so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. The wailing howls of those carried away with grief was not easily distinguishable from the joyful acclamations of those who were filled with joy, so that only a great clamor was heard. Such was the celebration at the completion of the foundation of the second Temple. The little flock of believers certainly had reason for praising the Lord for all His goodness as they had experienced it.