King James Version

What Does Ezra 3:11 Mean?

Ezra 3:11 in the King James Version says “And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they 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 3:11 · KJV

Context

9

Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. Judah: or, Hodaviah,Chap.2.40 together: Heb. as one

10

And when 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.

11

And they 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.

12

But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The responsive singing 'because he is good' echoes Psalm 136 and numerous other passages celebrating God's hesed (steadfast, covenant love). This wasn't innovative worship but rooted in Scripture, demonstrating that biblical praise transcends circumstances. The phrase 'mercy endureth for ever' translates le'olam chasdo, emphasizing God's unchanging faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness that led to exile. The people's great shout accompanied the foundation laying, not the completed temple, showing faith in God's promises before seeing fulfillment. This illustrates the biblical pattern of praising God for what He will do based on His character and past faithfulness. The communal nature—'all the people shouted'—shows genuine, widespread joy in restoration.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Temple foundations required massive stone blocks, some weighing several tons, carefully positioned to support the superstructure. Ancient Near Eastern foundation ceremonies often involved pagan rituals and foundation deposits (objects buried beneath cornerstones). Israel's foundation ceremony was distinctively focused on Yahweh worship and biblical praise. The responsive singing pattern (one group singing, another responding) characterized Levitical worship from David's time (1 Chronicles 16:34). This musical tradition, maintained through seventy years of exile without temple, demonstrates oral preservation of worship forms and Scripture memorization that characterized exilic Judaism.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does praising God at the foundation-laying rather than completion teach about faith and biblical worship?
  2. How does grounding praise in God's unchanging character ('his mercy endureth forever') provide stability amid changing circumstances?
  3. In what ways can modern worship balance emotional expression with theological content rooted in Scripture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַֽ֠יַּעֲנוּ1 of 22

“And they sang together by course”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

בְהַלֵּל֙2 of 22

“in praising”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

וּבְהוֹדֹ֤ת3 of 22

“and giving thanks”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

יְהוָֽה׃4 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּ֣י5 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

ט֔וֹב6 of 22

“because he is good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

כִּֽי7 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לְעוֹלָ֥ם8 of 22

“endureth for ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

חַסְדּ֖וֹ9 of 22

“for his mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

עַל10 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל11 of 22

“toward Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְכָל12 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֡ם13 of 22

“And all the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הֵרִיעוּ֩14 of 22

“shouted”

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

תְרוּעָ֨ה15 of 22

“shout”

H8643

clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum

גְדוֹלָ֤ה16 of 22

“with a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

בְהַלֵּל֙17 of 22

“in praising”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

יְהוָֽה׃18 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַ֖ל19 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הוּסַ֥ד20 of 22

“because the foundation”

H3245

to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult

בֵּית21 of 22

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָֽה׃22 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 3:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 3:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 106:11 Chronicles 16:34Psalms 107:1Psalms 103:17Psalms 118:1Psalms 135:3

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