Ezra 3 12

Ezra 3:12 kjv

But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

Ezra 3:12 nkjv

But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy,

Ezra 3:12 niv

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.

Ezra 3:12 esv

But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy,

Ezra 3:12 nlt

But many of the older priests, Levites, and other leaders who had seen the first Temple wept aloud when they saw the new Temple's foundation. The others, however, were shouting for joy.

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 3 12 Meaning

Ezra 3:12 captures a moment of profound mixed emotions among the returning exiles as the foundation of the second Temple is laid in Jerusalem. Those who remembered the glory and splendor of Solomon's first Temple wept aloud, recognizing the diminished scale and humbleness of this new beginning in comparison to what was lost. Simultaneously, others, perhaps younger generations who had only known exile or a rebuilt altar, shouted for joy, celebrating the concrete progress of restoration and the fulfillment of God's promises for a dwelling place among His people once again. The verse vividly portrays a contrast between the sorrow of memory and the hope of present renewal.

Ezra 3 12 Context

Ezra chapter 3 describes the reestablishment of the sacrificial system and the laying of the Second Temple's foundation by the returned Jewish exiles. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor, and Jeshua, the high priest, the people first built the altar (Ezr 3:2-3) and then celebrated the Festival of Booths (Ezr 3:4-6). With a clear resolve to rebuild God's house, they pooled resources and employed craftsmen (Ezr 3:7-9). The verse in question, Ezr 3:12, captures a pivotal moment when the physical foundation of the Temple was set in place (Ezr 3:10). This event evoked powerful, contrasting emotions: deep lamentation from the older generation who remembered the magnificent First Temple built by Solomon (1 Ki 6-8) and jubilant shouting from those who only knew desolation and now saw the beginning of restoration. This historical setting, roughly 70 years after the destruction of the First Temple, marks a crucial step in the divine plan for Israel's post-exilic recovery and the rebuilding of their spiritual center, signaling the partial fulfillment of prophecies concerning their return and the reconstruction of Jerusalem.

Ezra 3 12 Word analysis

• But many of the older priests and Levites and heads of families: This phrase identifies a specific group, the zaqen (זָקֵן - aged, elder) people who were eye-witnesses to the first Temple's glory. Their memory and perspective are central to the emotional response. Their leadership roles (priests, Levites, heads of families) signify their historical connection and authority within the community.
• who had seen the former temple: This directly connects their weeping to a tangible past. "Former temple" (ha-bayit ha-rishon - the first house) explicitly refers to Solomon's magnificent structure. This implies personal, sensory recollection, not just abstract knowledge.
• wept aloud: The Hebrew bakhah g’dolah (בכה גדולה - wept with great weeping) or similar expressions emphasize profound, public, and perhaps unrestrained grief. It reflects a deep sense of loss, comparing the perceived humble beginning with the remembered splendor and perhaps the weight of the sins that led to the destruction of the glorious first Temple. This sorrow is linked to national sin and divine judgment that led to exile and destruction.
• when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid: The laying of the foundation, while a joyous sign of progress, was also a stark reminder for the older generation of the colossal difference between the destroyed glory and the humble present. The Hebrew term yesod (יסוד - foundation) denotes the absolute beginning, the essential groundwork, of the new structure.
• while others shouted for joy: This marks the profound contrast in emotion. "Shouted for joy" uses forms of Hebrew verbs like run (רוּן - to shout for joy, to sing) and gil (גיל - to rejoice, exult), indicating loud, exultant, communal celebration. This joy signifies hope, gratitude for the opportunity to rebuild, and the fulfillment of God's promise. It suggests the younger generation who did not directly experience the former Temple’s grandeur or felt the immense weight of the loss, focusing instead on the present blessing and future possibilities.
• Word Groups / Phrase Analysis:
  • "older priests... had seen the former temple, wept aloud": This grouping highlights the pathos and sorrow rooted in direct experience. It's a poignant reflection on decline, the loss of magnificent spiritual heritage, and the heavy price of national sin. Their tears represent the lingering grief from the exile.
  • "foundation... being laid, while others shouted for joy": This pairing directly illustrates the immediate emotional divergence spurred by the same event. The act of laying the foundation acts as a catalyst for both deep lamentation and exuberant rejoicing, showcasing different generational or perhaps spiritual perspectives on God's work. It points to a mixed community experience of restoration.
  • "wept aloud" vs. "shouted for joy": This fundamental opposition creates a powerful image of tension and divergent reactions within the returning community. It portrays the complexity of the post-exilic reality, where hope for the future intertwines with sorrow for the past. It speaks to the human capacity to hold contrasting emotions simultaneously, a natural response to significant transition and new beginnings rooted in past loss.

Ezra 3 12 Bonus section

The contrast in Ezra 3:12 underscores a theological truth: God's work of restoration, though complete in His purpose, is experienced in fragments by humanity. The older generation’s tears connect to a deeper understanding of God’s holiness and the gravity of Israel’s unfaithfulness which led to the Temple's destruction (e.g., Jer 25:9-11). Their lament might also be seen as an acknowledgment that the glory of the new Temple would not compare to the past, a point later confirmed by Haggai (Hag 2:3). However, Haggai also prophesied a greater glory to come through a future advent (Hag 2:7-9). The shouts of joy represent profound faith and an anticipation of future glory and the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the Temple (e.g., Zec 4:6-9). This moment demonstrates God's steadfast covenant faithfulness, allowing His people to return and rebuild, even if it began with tears for past glories and joy for new mercies. It sets a pattern seen throughout salvation history: present acts of grace are always situated within a narrative of past failings and future promises.

Ezra 3 12 Commentary

Ezra 3:12 encapsulates a profound tension between historical memory and redemptive hope. The mixed emotions vividly displayed among the returned exiles illustrate the complexities inherent in spiritual restoration. The older generation, having witnessed Solomon’s glorious Temple, wept. Their tears were not necessarily of despair but likely reflected deep grief for the lost splendor, the painful seventy-year exile that preceded this rebuilding, and perhaps even a quiet shame for the sins that brought about the destruction. For them, this new foundation, while a sign of God's mercy, also underscored the profound loss and the relative humility of the new beginning. Conversely, the "others" (likely the younger generations) responded with shouts of joy. Their lack of direct memory of the First Temple meant their focus was solely on the current blessing: the end of exile, the opportunity to rebuild, and the tangible sign of God's renewed favor. This dual reaction shows that divine restoration, though certain, is often experienced differently based on individual and communal histories. It emphasizes that new beginnings in God’s plan do not always erase the scars of the past but build upon them with a blend of remembrance and forward-looking faith.Examples: A church rebuilding after a devastating fire, with older members grieving the loss of familiar structures, while newer members celebrate the potential for fresh vision and growth in the new building. A family regaining health after a prolonged illness, where some still remember the fear and pain, while others are purely joyful for the current recovery.