King James Version

What Does Ezra 3:6 Mean?

Ezra 3:6 in the King James Version says “From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the tem...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. the foundation: Heb. the temple of the LORD was not yet founded”

Ezra 3:6 · KJV

Context

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

5

And afterward offered the 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.

6

From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. the foundation: Heb. the temple of the LORD was not yet founded

7

They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; 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. carpenters: or, workmen

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 twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. The specific dating—'the first day of the seventh month'—corresponds to Tishri 1, the beginning of Israel's civil year and the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:23-25). This precise chronological marker (538 BC, approximately) emphasizes the importance of this moment in redemptive history. The seventh month held special significance, containing the Day of Atonement (Tishri 10) and Feast of Tabernacles (Tishri 15-22), making it the most sacred month in Israel's calendar.

The phrase 'began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD' marks the formal resumption of Mosaic worship after decades of cessation. The burnt offering (olah), completely consumed on the altar, symbolized total consecration to God. That they 'began' suggests sustained, ongoing practice, not a single ceremonial gesture. This represented genuine restoration of covenant relationship through blood atonement.

The contrasting clause 'But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid' is theologically profound. The adversative 'but' emphasizes the remarkable reality: sacrifice preceded sanctuary, worship preceded architecture. This teaches that God's primary concern is hearts consecrated through blood atonement, not impressive buildings. The altar could function without the temple, demonstrating worship's essence transcends physical structures. This prefigures New Testament truth that believers themselves constitute God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The first day of the seventh month (Tishri 1) in the Jewish calendar fell in September/October by the Gregorian calendar. This timing placed it approximately one year after the initial return from Babylon. The intervening months likely involved settling in towns, establishing households, and preparing materials for worship resumption. The deliberate choice to begin on Tishri 1—the Feast of Trumpets—carried symbolic weight, as this feast proclaimed God's sovereignty and called Israel to sacred assembly.

That sacrifices began before the temple foundation seems unusual but reflects biblical priorities. The original tabernacle functioned for centuries before Solomon built the temple, proving that proper worship doesn't require permanent structures. The altar's location was crucial—it stood on the exact site where Solomon's bronze altar had stood (2 Chronicles 4:1), maintaining geographical and theological continuity despite the destruction.

Archaeological evidence from this period is limited, but the biblical account's internal consistency and precision regarding dates, sequence of events, and Mosaic law details suggest reliable historical reportage. The tension between resumed worship and absent temple characterized the early restoration period and motivated the community to eventually rebuild, as later chapters describe.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does beginning sacrifices before building the temple teach about the relationship between worship and religious architecture?
  2. How does the priority of the altar over the temple building challenge modern church emphases on facilities and programs over spiritual vitality?
  3. In what ways does this verse's emphasis on blood sacrifice point forward to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
מִיּ֤וֹם1 of 12

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶחָד֙2 of 12

“From the first”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ3 of 12

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י4 of 12

“of the seventh”

H7637

seventh

הֵחֵ֕לּוּ5 of 12

“began”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

לְהַֽעֲל֥וֹת6 of 12

“they to offer”

H5927

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

עֹל֖וֹת7 of 12

“burnt offerings”

H5930

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

יְהוָ֖ה8 of 12

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

וְהֵיכַ֥ל9 of 12

“of the temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָ֖ה10 of 12

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

לֹ֥א11 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֻסָּֽד׃12 of 12

“But the foundation”

H3245

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

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 3:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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