King James Version

What Does Ezra 3:2 Mean?

Ezra 3:2 in the King James Version says “Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his bret... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. Jeshua: also called, Joshua Zerubbabel: Gr. Zorobabel Shealtiel: Gr. Salathiel

Ezra 3:2 · KJV


Context

1

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.

2

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. Jeshua: also called, Joshua Zerubbabel: Gr. Zorobabel Shealtiel: Gr. Salathiel

3

And they set the 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.

4

They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required; as the duty: Heb. the matter of the day in his day


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jeshua (Hebrew Yeshua, meaning 'Yahweh saves') served as high priest, while Zerubbabel (grandson of King Jehoiachin) provided political leadership as Davidic heir. Their partnership represents the biblical pattern of priestly and kingly offices working together—a foreshadowing of Christ who unites both roles. The phrase 'builded the altar' precedes temple reconstruction, showing proper priorities: worship and sacrifice before architectural accomplishment. The altar's construction 'according to the law of Moses' demonstrates commitment to biblical authority despite changed circumstances. They didn't innovate or adapt worship to post-exilic realities but submitted to divinely revealed patterns. This rebuilt altar stood on the original site, providing continuity with pre-exilic worship and validating the restoration's legitimacy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jeshua ben Jozadak descended from Zadok's priestly line, maintaining the Aaronic priesthood's continuity through exile. His father Jozadak had been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar (1 Chronicles 6:15). Zerubbabel ('seed of Babylon') bore a Babylonian name yet remained committed to Jerusalem's restoration. As governor appointed by Persia and Davidic descendant, he embodied the tension between political subjugation and messianic hope. The altar's reconstruction required locating the original site where Abraham had offered Isaac and where Solomon's temple altar had stood. This precise positioning maintained geographical and theological continuity with God's prior revelation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the partnership between priest (Jeshua) and governor (Zerubbabel) prefigure Christ's dual role as priest and king?
  2. What does building the altar before the temple teach about the primacy of worship and sacrifice in spiritual restoration?
  3. How can believers balance respect for historical worship patterns with avoiding legalistic attachment to forms that lack biblical mandate?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיָּקָם֩1 of 23

Then stood up

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

יֵשׁ֨וּעַ2 of 23

Jeshua

H3442

jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine

בֶּן3 of 23

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק4 of 23

of Jozadak

H3136

jotsadak, an israelite

וְאֶחָ֔יו5 of 23

and his brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים6 of 23

the priests

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וּזְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל7 of 23

and Zerubbabel

H2216

zerubbabel, an israelite

בֶּן8 of 23

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙9 of 23

of Shealtiel

H7597

shealtiel, an israelite

וְאֶחָ֔יו10 of 23

and his brethren

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וַיִּבְנ֕וּ11 of 23

and builded

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת12 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִזְבַּ֖ח13 of 23

the altar

H4196

an altar

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃14 of 23

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל15 of 23

of Israel

H3478

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

לְהַֽעֲל֤וֹת16 of 23

to offer

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עָלָיו֙17 of 23
H5921

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

עֹל֔וֹת18 of 23

burnt offerings

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

כַּכָּת֕וּב19 of 23

thereon as it is written

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בְּתוֹרַ֖ת20 of 23

in the law

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

מֹשֶׁ֥ה21 of 23

of Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

אִישׁ22 of 23

the man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃23 of 23

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of


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 3:2 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 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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