King James Version

What Does Ezra 3:8 Mean?

Ezra 3:8 in the King James Version says “Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezra 3:8 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

Read Ezra 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The second year, second month marked approximately eighteen months after the return began. The timing was deliberate—the second month (Iyyar/April-May) corresponds to when Solomon began building the first temple (1 Kings 6:1), demonstrating intentional connection to historical precedent. Zerubbabel and Jeshua's joint leadership again emphasizes priestly-civil cooperation. The appointment of Levites 'from twenty years old and upward' as foremen lowered the typical thirty-year threshold (Numbers 4:3), suggesting practical need outweighed traditional restrictions. The verb 'to set forward' (natsach) means to oversee, manage, or superintend, indicating these Levites exercised real authority over the work. This demonstrates that leadership in God's kingdom requires both official calling and practical capability.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The organizational structure mirrored Solomon's temple construction, which also employed Levitical overseers. The reduction of age requirements from thirty to twenty years may reflect the depleted population—fewer experienced Levites meant younger men must shoulder responsibility. This adaptation shows wisdom in applying principles flexibly while maintaining essential standards. The second month timing avoided the rainy season (November-March) and preceded the hot summer, providing optimal building conditions. Archaeological evidence of Persian-period construction techniques shows reliance on local limestone and imported cedar from Lebanon (v. 7), requiring significant organizational capacity and international trade relationships.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the deliberate timing to match Solomon's temple construction teach about honoring historical precedent while adapting to new circumstances?
  2. How does lowering the age requirement for Levitical service demonstrate the balance between maintaining standards and meeting practical needs?
  3. In what ways can modern church leadership structures reflect the biblical pattern of combining official calling with demonstrated competence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 36 words
שָׁנָה֙1 of 36

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַשֵּׁנִ֑י2 of 36

“Now in the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

הַבָּאִים֙3 of 36

“and all they that were come out”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל4 of 36
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּית5 of 36

“of the house”

H1004

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

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙6 of 36

“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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם7 of 36

“at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בַּחֹ֖דֶשׁ8 of 36

“month”

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשֵּׁנִ֑י9 of 36

“Now in the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

הֵחֵ֡לּוּ10 of 36

“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

זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל11 of 36

“Zerubbabel”

H2216

zerubbabel, an israelite

מִבֶּ֨ן12 of 36

“old”

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

שְׁ֠אַלְתִּיאֵל13 of 36

“of Shealtiel”

H7597

shealtiel, an israelite

וְיֵשׁ֨וּעַ14 of 36

“and Jeshua”

H3442

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

מִבֶּ֨ן15 of 36

“old”

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

יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק16 of 36

“of Jozadak”

H3136

jotsadak, an israelite

וּשְׁאָ֥ר17 of 36

“and the remnant”

H7605

a remainder

אֲחֵיהֶ֣ם׀18 of 36

“of their brethren”

H251

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

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים19 of 36

“the priests”

H3548

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

הַלְוִיִּ֗ם20 of 36

“and the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

וְכָל21 of 36
H3605

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

הַבָּאִים֙22 of 36

“and all they that were come out”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֵֽהַשְּׁבִ֣י23 of 36

“of the captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם24 of 36

“at Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וַיַּֽעֲמִ֣ידוּ25 of 36

“and appointed”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אֶת26 of 36
H853

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

הַלְוִיִּ֗ם27 of 36

“and the Levites”

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi

מִבֶּ֨ן28 of 36

“old”

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

עֶשְׂרִ֤ים29 of 36

“from twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

שָׁנָה֙30 of 36

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וָמַ֔עְלָה31 of 36

“and upward”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

לְנַצֵּ֖חַ32 of 36

“to set forward”

H5329

properly, to glitter from afar, i.e., to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the temple services and its music); to be permanent

עַל33 of 36
H5921

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

מְלֶ֥אכֶת34 of 36

“the work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

בֵּית35 of 36

“of the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָֽה׃36 of 36

“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 3:8 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 3:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 4:31 Chronicles 23:4Numbers 4:31 Chronicles 23:24-32

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Ezra 3 →

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