King James Version

What Does Ezra 3:9 Mean?

Ezra 3:9 in the King James Version says “Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the ... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezra 3:9 · KJV


Context

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.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The temple rebuilding required oversight: '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.' The verb 'set forward' (paqad, פָּקַד) means to oversee, supervise, or appoint—these Levites provided leadership and coordination. The emphasis on family units ('sons,' 'brethren') highlights multi-generational involvement in God's work. Jeshua was the high priest (2:2), while Kadmiel and Henadad led Levitical families. Their 'standing together' (yachad, יַחַד) demonstrates unity—essential for completing difficult tasks. This verse teaches that God's work requires godly leadership, coordinated effort, and unified commitment. The combination of priestly oversight (Jeshua) and Levitical service (other families) models both spiritual authority and practical labor working together.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

After 70 years in Babylonian exile, Cyrus's 539 BC decree allowed Jews to return and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). The first returnees (c. 538 BC) numbered about 50,000 under Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Ezra 2). They first rebuilt the altar (3:2-3), then laid the temple foundation (3:8-13). The Levitical families named here descended from those who returned from exile, continuing their ancestral duties of serving in temple worship and maintenance. The 'house of God' (beth elohim, בֵּית אֱלֹהִים) had lain in ruins since Nebuchadnezzar's 586 BC destruction. Rebuilding represented not merely construction but covenant renewal—God's presence returning to dwell among His people. Opposition soon arose (chapter 4), halting work until 520 BC when Haggai and Zechariah's prophetic ministry reinvigorated the effort. The temple's completion in 516 BC fulfilled Jeremiah's 70-year prophecy (Jeremiah 29:10). Early church tradition saw the rebuilt temple as anticipating Christ, the true temple (John 2:19-21) and the Church as God's dwelling (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:19-22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the example of unified, multi-generational leadership and service ('together... with their sons and brethren') inform church ministry and family discipleship today?
  2. What 'rebuilding' tasks in your church or community require the combination of spiritual oversight (like Jeshua) and practical coordination (like the Levites)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיַּֽעֲמֹ֣ד1 of 20

Then stood

H5975

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

יֵשׁ֡וּעַ2 of 20

Jeshua

H3442

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

בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם3 of 20

and his sons

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

וַֽאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם4 of 20

and his brethren

H251

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

קַדְמִיאֵ֨ל5 of 20

Kadmiel

H6934

kadmiel, the name of three israelites

בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם6 of 20

and his sons

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

בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם7 of 20

and his sons

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

יְהוּדָה֙8 of 20

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

כְּאֶחָ֔ד9 of 20

together

H259

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

לְנַצֵּ֛חַ10 of 20

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

עַל11 of 20
H5921

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

עֹשֵׂ֥ה12 of 20

the workmen

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה13 of 20
H4399

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

בְּבֵ֣ית14 of 20

in the house

H1004

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

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים15 of 20

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

בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם16 of 20

and his sons

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

חֵֽנָדָ֔ד17 of 20

of Henadad

H2582

chenadad, an israelite

בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם18 of 20

and his sons

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

וַֽאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם19 of 20

and his brethren

H251

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

הַלְוִיִּֽם׃20 of 20

the Levites

H3881

a levite or descendant of levi


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 3:9 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 3:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study