📖 Ezra — Chapter 3 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Ezra 3:1 And when Rthe seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
Ezra 3:2 Then stood up RTJeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and TZerubbabel the son of TShealtiel, 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 3:3 And they set Rthe altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
Ezra 3:4 They kept also Rthe feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, Tas the duty of every day required;
Ezra 3:5 And afterward offered Rthe continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.
Ezra 3:6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But Tthe foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
Ezra 3:7 They Rgave money also unto the masons, and to the Tcarpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Ezra 3:8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from Rtwenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
Ezra 3:9 Then stood RJeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of TJudah, Ttogether, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
Ezra 3:10 And Rwhen the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
Ezra 3:11 And Rthey sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
Ezra 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, Rwhen the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Ezra 3:13 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 Rshouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 3:1–6 — The altar restored first
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The people gather as one, and Jeshua and Zerubbabel rebuild the altar according to Moses' law. Though afraid of surrounding peoples, they begin offerings and keep the feast of tabernacles before the temple foundation is laid. Worship resumes amid vulnerability, rather than waiting for every difficulty or project to be resolved.
Key Truth: Begin faithful obedience amid unfinished circumstances.
Check What You Remember
1. In which month did the people gather? (Ezra 3:1)
Find it in Ezra 3:1 (KJV).
2. What did they rebuild for the offerings? (Ezra 3:2)
Find it in Ezra 3:2 (KJV).
3. Which feast did they keep? (Ezra 3:4)
Find it in Ezra 3:4 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 3:7–9 — Materials and workers prepared
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The returnees provide payment and supplies for craftsmen and arrange cedar from Lebanon through Joppa. Levites are appointed to advance the work in the second year. The task requires shared preparation and coordination. Spiritual purpose and practical planning belong together in the account.
Key Truth: Plan carefully for the work you are called to do.
Check What You Remember
1. From which region was cedar brought? (Ezra 3:7)
Find it in Ezra 3:7 (KJV).
2. Through which seaport did it come? (Ezra 3:7)
Find it in Ezra 3:7 (KJV).
3. From what age were Levites appointed to advance the work? (Ezra 3:8)
Find it in Ezra 3:8 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Ezra 3:10–13 — Joy and grief at the foundation
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
When the foundation is laid, the people praise God's enduring mercy. Older people who remember the former temple weep, while others shout for joy. The sounds blend together. The account makes room for gratitude and sorrow at the same moment, without requiring every generation to experience restoration in an identical way.
Key Truth: Make room for both gratitude and grief in renewal.
Check What You Remember
1. Who used trumpets in the celebration? (Ezra 3:10)
Find it in Ezra 3:10 (KJV).
2. Why did they give thanks? (Ezra 3:11)
Find it in Ezra 3:11 (KJV).
3. Which people wept at the foundation? (Ezra 3:12)
Find it in Ezra 3:12 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 126:5 — The psalm holds tears and rejoicing together.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How can you listen compassionately when others feel sorrow in a moment you find joyful?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What is restored before the temple foundation is laid?
2. What standard guides the restored offerings?
3. How does the chapter distinguish regular and voluntary offerings?
4. What precedent guides the musical praise at the foundation?
5. Why is the sound of the gathering difficult to distinguish?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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