Ezra 3 1

Ezra 3:1 kjv

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.

Ezra 3:1 nkjv

And when the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem.

Ezra 3:1 niv

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns, the people assembled together as one in Jerusalem.

Ezra 3:1 esv

When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem.

Ezra 3:1 nlt

In early autumn, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled in Jerusalem with a unified purpose.

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 3 1 Meaning

Ezra 3:1 describes the unified gathering of the returning Israelite exiles to Jerusalem during the highly significant seventh month. This verse marks a pivotal moment, signaling their collective desire and determination to re-establish the worship of God in His chosen city, thereby resuming their covenant relationship and spiritual duties after the long period of exile.

Ezra 3 1 Context

Ezra 3:1 immediately follows the account of the first wave of exiles returning from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua (Jeshua), permitted by Cyrus the Great's decree. Chapters 1 and 2 establish the divine orchestration of their release and list the families and resources involved in this monumental homecoming. This verse marks the true spiritual beginning of their restoration in the land. After their initial resettlement in their ancestral towns, the Israelites united, driven by a deep spiritual conviction, to prioritize the re-establishment of their worship practices. This gathering signifies not just a physical return, but a spiritual awakening and an immediate intention to re-engage with God's covenant commands in His designated dwelling place, Jerusalem, before the formal rebuilding of the Temple could fully commence.

Ezra 3 1 Word analysis

• "And when the seventh month was come":

  • "Seventh month" (Hebrew: חֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי, ḥōḏeš haššəḇî‘î): This refers to the month of Tishri, corresponding to September/October. It is highly significant in the Jewish liturgical calendar, containing three major annual feasts: the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShanah) on the 1st, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) on the 10th, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) from the 15th to the 21st. The timing indicates a divinely opportune moment for a communal assembly centered on sacred worship, repentance, and rejoicing.

• "and the children of Israel were in the cities":

  • "Children of Israel" (Hebrew: בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, bə nê yiśrā’ēl): This is a comprehensive term for the nation of Israel, emphasizing their continuity as God's covenant people despite generations of exile. It signifies the identity and heritage of the returnees as descendants of Jacob/Israel.
  • "in the cities" (Hebrew: בְּעָרֵיהֶם, bə ‘ārêhem): This indicates that the returning exiles had initially dispersed and settled into their former towns and villages across Judah (as documented in Ezr 2:70). This context highlights that their subsequent gathering was a deliberate, unified action from various locations, rather than an immediate assembly upon arrival.

• "the people gathered themselves together":

  • "gathered themselves together" (Hebrew: וַיֵּאָסְפוּ, wayyê’āsəfû): This verb suggests a purposeful, collective movement. It implies a sense of shared determination and resolve to congregate, demonstrating their spiritual eagerness and compliance with the ancestral command to assemble for feasts.

• "as one man":

  • "as one man" (Hebrew: כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד, kə’îš ’eḥāḏ): This is a powerful idiom denoting complete unity, unanimity, and singular purpose. It expresses the extraordinary solidarity and absence of dissension among the returnees. It signifies a collective will, acting as a unified body, overcoming any potential factionalism that could have plagued such a diverse group of returnees. This spiritual unity was foundational for the daunting task ahead.

• "to Jerusalem":

  • "to Jerusalem" (Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלָ‍ִם, yə rûšālāim): The sacred city, historically chosen by God as the place for His Temple and the center of Israelite worship. The choice of Jerusalem as the gathering point underlines the primary spiritual motivation: to re-establish proper worship at its rightful place, fulfilling God's covenant directives.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And when the seventh month was come... and the children of Israel were in the cities": This establishes the context of divine timing, identifying the covenant people and their geographical dispersion after returning. It highlights that the gathering was not random but coincided with the specific time of major religious observances and followed a period of initial settlement.
  • "the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.": This phrase captures the remarkable spiritual fervor and unity of the community. It emphasizes that despite residing in separate cities, they converged with singular intent on the spiritual capital, prioritizing communal worship and illustrating their unified commitment to their ancestral faith and the restoration of God's house. This unanimity suggests a move inspired by God.

Ezra 3 1 Bonus section

• The immediate focus on "Jerusalem" and gathering "as one man" for the sacred month suggests a profound understanding of priority: seeking God and His designated worship site comes before even rebuilding homes or personal prosperity.
• This unity set a precedent for future difficult tasks, like the opposition faced during the rebuilding efforts. The foundation of "one man" unity demonstrated early on would be crucial for enduring challenges.
• The feasts observed in the seventh month carried powerful messages: new beginnings (Trumpets), cleansing and reconciliation (Day of Atonement), and dwelling with God/reliance on His provision (Tabernacles). Their gathering precisely at this time signals a full embrace of these spiritual realities for a fresh start.

Ezra 3 1 Commentary

Ezra 3:1 describes the post-exilic community's initial act of profound spiritual recommitment. The confluence of the seventh month, laden with holy convocations (Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Feast of Tabernacles), and the united purpose expressed as "as one man," speaks volumes of their earnest desire to reconnect with God's commands. This unity was not merely logistical but theological, indicating a restored heart and focus on corporate worship and obedience. Before the substantial physical rebuilding of the Temple began, the people, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua, first consecrated themselves to resuming the divine service in Jerusalem. This prioritization shows their understanding that true restoration began not with bricks and mortar, but with spiritual unity, devotion, and a return to the center of God's worship, laying a spiritual foundation crucial for all future endeavors. It highlights that national and spiritual renewal is born from corporate humility, unity, and a fervent pursuit of God's ways.