Focused Passage

Ezra 3:7-13

The Altar Restored and the Temple Foundation Laid

The returned remnant gathers as one, rebuilds the altar in fearful obedience, resumes covenant worship, and lays the temple foundation amid mingled shouts of joy and weeping.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

7They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia.

8In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD.

9So Jeshua and his sons and brothers, Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Yehudah), and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together to supervise those working on the house of God.

10When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed.

11And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.

12But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple. Still, many others shouted joyfully.

13The people could not distinguish the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people were making so much noise. And the sound was heard from afar.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 7

Original words

They gaveוַיִּ֨תְּנוּ־H5414Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralmoneyכֶ֔סֶףH3701Noun - masculine singularto the masonsלַחֹצְבִ֖יםH2672Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine pluraland carpentersוְלֶחָרָשִׁ֑יםH2796Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine pluraland foodוּמַאֲכָ֨לH3978Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularand drinkוּמִשְׁתֶּ֜הH4960Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularand oilוָשֶׁ֗מֶןH8081Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singularto the people of Sidonלַצִּֽדֹנִים֙H6722Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluraland Tyreוְלַצֹּרִ֔יםH6876Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singularto bringלְהָבִיא֩H935Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructcedarאֲרָזִ֤יםH730Noun - masculine plurallogsעֲצֵ֨יH6086Noun - masculine plural constructfromמִן־H4480PrepositionLebanonהַלְּבָנוֹן֙H3844Article | Noun - proper - feminine singulartoאֶל־H413PrepositionJoppaיָפ֔וֹאH3305Noun - proper - feminine singularby seaיָ֣םH3220Noun - masculine singular constructas authorizedכְּרִשְׁי֛וֹןH7558Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct. . .עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃פH5921Preposition | third person masculine pluralby Cyrusכּ֥וֹרֶשׁH3566Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶֽלֶךְ־H4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Persiaפָּרַ֖סH6539Noun - proper - feminine singular
Verse 8

Original words

In the secondהַשֵּׁנִ֑יH8145Article | Number - ordinal masculine singularmonthבַּחֹ֖דֶשׁH2320Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singularof the secondהַשֵּׁנִ֗יתH8145Article | Number - ordinal feminine singularyearוּבַשָּׁנָ֣הH8141Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singularafter they had arrivedלְבוֹאָ֞םH935Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine pluralatאֶל־H413Prepositionthe houseבֵּ֤יתH1004Noun - masculine singular constructof Godהָֽאֱלֹהִים֙H430Article | Noun - masculine pluralin Jerusalemלִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔םH3389Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singularZerubbabelזְרֻבָּבֶ֣לH2216Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Shealtielשְׁ֠אַלְתִּיאֵלH7597Noun - proper - masculine singularJeshuaוְיֵשׁ֨וּעַH3442Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singularsonבֶּן־H1121Noun - masculine singular constructof Jozadakיֽוֹצָדָ֜קH3136Noun - proper - masculine singularand the restוּשְׁאָ֥רH7605Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructof their associatesאֲחֵיהֶ֣ם׀H251Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine pluralincluding the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםH3548Article | Noun - masculine pluralthe Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּ֗םH3881Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluraland allוְכָל־H3605Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructwho had returnedהַבָּאִים֙H935Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralto Jerusalemיְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔םH3389Noun - proper - feminine singularfrom the captivityמֵהַשְּׁבִ֣יH7628Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singularbegan [the work]הֵחֵ֡לּוּH2490Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common pluralThey appointedוַיַּעֲמִ֣ידוּH5975Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerLevitesהַלְוִיִּ֗םH3881Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluraltwentyעֶשְׂרִ֤יםH6242Number - common pluralyears of ageמִבֶּ֨ןH1121Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct. . .שָׁנָה֙H8141Noun - feminine singularor olderוָמַ֔עְלָהH4605Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singularto superviseלְנַצֵּ֖חַH5329Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct. . .עַל־H5921Prepositionthe constructionמְלֶ֥אכֶתH4399Noun - feminine singular constructof the houseבֵּית־H1004Noun - masculine singular constructof the LORDיְהוָֽה׃פH3068Noun - proper - masculine singular
Verse 9

Original words

So Jeshuaיֵשׁ֡וּעַH3442Noun - proper - masculine singularand his sonsבָּנָ֣יוH1121Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularand brothersוְ֠אֶחָיוH251Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singularKadmielקַדְמִיאֵ֨לH6934Noun - proper - masculine singularand his sonsוּבָנָ֤יוH1121Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singulardescendantsבְּנֵֽי־H1121Noun - masculine plural constructof Yehudahיְהוּדָה֙H3063Noun - proper - feminine singular[and] the sonsבְּנֵי֙H1121Noun - masculine plural constructof Henadadחֵֽנָדָ֔דH2582Noun - proper - masculine singularand their sonsבְּנֵיהֶ֥םH1121Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine pluraland brothersוַאֲחֵיהֶ֖םH251Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine pluralall Levitesהַלְוִיִּֽם׃H3881Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluraljoinedוַיַּעֲמֹ֣דH5975Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singulartogetherכְּאֶחָ֔דH259Preposition-k | Number - masculine singularto superviseלְנַצֵּ֛חַH5329Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct. . .עַל־H5921Prepositionthose workingעֹשֵׂ֥הH6213Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct. . .הַמְּלָאכָ֖הH4399Article | Noun - feminine singularon the houseבְּבֵ֣יתH1004Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular constructof Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםסH430Article | Noun - masculine plural

BSB notes

  • Hebrew sons of Judah; that is, most likely, sons of Yehudah, another name for Hodevah or Hodaviah; see Ezra 2:40 and Nehemiah 7:43.
Verse 10

Original words

When the buildersהַבֹּנִ֖יםH1129Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerhad laid the foundationוְיִסְּד֥וּH3245Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common pluralof the templeהֵיכַ֣לH1964Noun - masculine singular constructof the LORDיְהוָ֑הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularthe priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֨יםH3548Article | Noun - masculine pluralin their apparelמְלֻבָּשִׁ֜יםH3847Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine pluralwith trumpetsבַּחֲצֹֽצְר֗וֹתH2689Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine pluraland the Levitesוְהַלְוִיִּ֤םH3881Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluralthe sonsבְּנֵֽי־H1121Noun - masculine plural constructof Asaphאָסָף֙H623Noun - proper - masculine singularwith cymbalsבַּֽמְצִלְתַּ֔יִםH4700Preposition-b, Article | Noun - cdtook their positionsוַיַּעֲמִידוּ֩H5975Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralto praiseלְהַלֵּל֙H1984Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe LORDיְהוָ֔הH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularasעַל־H5921PrepositionDavidדָּוִ֥ידH1732Noun - proper - masculine singularkingמֶֽלֶךְ־H4428Noun - masculine singular constructof Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃H3478Noun - proper - feminine singularhad prescribedיְדֵ֖יH3027Noun - feminine dual construct
Verse 11

Original words

And they sang responsivelyוַֽ֠יַּעֲנוּH6030Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralwith praiseבְּהַלֵּ֨לH1984Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive constructand thanksgivingוּבְהוֹדֹ֤תH3034Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructto the LORDלַֽיהוָה֙H3068Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularForכִּ֣יH3588ConjunctionHe is goodט֔וֹבH2896Adjective - masculine singularforכִּֽי־H3588ConjunctionHis loving devotionחַסְדּ֖וֹH2617Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singulartoעַל־H5921PrepositionIsraelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לH3478Noun - proper - feminine singularendures foreverלְעוֹלָ֥םH5769Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singularThen allוְכָל־H3605Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular constructthe peopleהָעָ֡םH5971Article | Noun - masculine singulargave a greatגְדוֹלָ֤הH1419Adjective - feminine singularshoutהֵרִיעוּ֩H7321Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural. . .תְרוּעָ֙הH8643Noun - feminine singularof praiseבְהַלֵּל֙H1984Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive constructto the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הH3068Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singularbecause {the foundation}עַ֖לH5921Prepositionof the houseבֵּית־H1004Noun - masculine singular constructof the LORDיְהוָֽה׃סH3068Noun - proper - masculine singularhad been laidהוּסַ֥דH3245Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular

BSB notes

  • Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant.
Verse 12

Original words

But manyוְרַבִּ֡יםH7227Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine pluralof the olderהַזְּקֵנִ֗יםH2205Article | Adjective - masculine pluralpriestsמֵהַכֹּהֲנִ֣יםH3548Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine pluralLevitesוְהַלְוִיִּם֩H3881Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine pluraland familyהָאָב֜וֹתH1Article | Noun - masculine pluralheadsוְרָאשֵׁ֨יH7218Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural constructwhoאֲשֶׁ֨רH834Pronoun - relativehad seenרָא֜וּH7200Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural-אֶת־H853Direct object markerthe firstהָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙H7223Article | Adjective - masculine singulartempleהַבַּ֤יִתH1004Article | Noun - masculine singularweptבֹּכִ֖יםH1058Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine pluralloudlyבְּק֣וֹלH6963Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular. . .גָּד֑וֹלH1419Adjective - masculine singularwhen they sawבְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔םH5869Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine pluralthe foundationבְּיָסְד֔וֹH3245Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singularof thisזֶ֤הH2088Pronoun - masculine singulartempleהַבַּ֙יִת֙H1004Article | Noun - masculine singularStill, manyוְרַבִּ֛יםH7227Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine pluralothers shoutedבִּתְרוּעָ֥הH8643Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular. . .לְהָרִ֥יםH7311Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive constructjoyfullyקֽוֹל׃H6963Noun - masculine singular. . .בְשִׂמְחָ֖הH8057Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Verse 13

Original words

The peopleהָעָ֗םH5971Article | Noun - masculine singularcould notוְאֵ֣יןH369Conjunctive waw | Adverbdistinguishמַכִּירִים֙H5234Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine pluralvvvק֚וֹלH6963Noun - masculine singular constructthe shoutsתְּרוּעַ֣תH8643Noun - feminine singular constructof joyהַשִּׂמְחָ֔הH8057Article | Noun - feminine singularfrom the soundלְק֖וֹלH6963Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular constructof weepingבְּכִ֣יH1065Noun - masculine singular constructbecauseכִּ֣יH3588Conjunction. . .הָעָ֗םH5971Article | Noun - masculine singularthe peopleהָעָ֑םH5971Article | Noun - masculine singularwere making so much noiseמְרִיעִים֙H7321Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural. . .תְּרוּעָ֣הH8643Noun - feminine singular. . .גְדוֹלָ֔הH1419Adjective - feminine singularAnd the soundוְהַקּ֥וֹלH6963Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singularwas heardנִשְׁמַ֖עH8085Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singularfromעַד־H5704Prepositionafarלְמֵרָחֽוֹק׃פH7350Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular

Berean Standard Bible (BSB): CC0 Public Domain Scripture text. Focused passages are drawn from the same reader contract as the full chapter. Reference sources explains external study-link sources.