Ezra 3 6

Ezra 3:6 kjv

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.

Ezra 3:6 nkjv

From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid.

Ezra 3:6 niv

On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, though the foundation of the LORD's temple had not yet been laid.

Ezra 3:6 esv

From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.

Ezra 3:6 nlt

Fifteen days before the Festival of Shelters began, the priests had begun to sacrifice burnt offerings to the LORD. This was even before they had started to lay the foundation of the LORD's Temple.

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 3 6 Meaning

Ezra 3:6 describes the pivotal act of the returning exiles from Babylon: the immediate re-establishment of daily burnt offerings to the Lord, starting on the first day of the seventh month. This foundational act of worship took place even though the grand temple building itself had not yet had its foundations laid. It signifies their resolute faith and priority in re-commencing covenant worship according to God's Law, even in challenging and incomplete circumstances, emphasizing obedience to divine command over ideal conditions.

Ezra 3 6 Context

Ezra chapter 3 recounts the early activities of the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem under the decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1-2). Upon their arrival, their primary goal was to rebuild the temple, which had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. Verses 1-2 highlight the unanimous gathering of the people and the swift action of Jeshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor to build the altar according to the Law of Moses. This was done out of fear of the surrounding peoples, yet it was also a proactive step of faith. Verses 3-5 describe their dedication, re-establishing not only the regular burnt offerings but also the appointed festivals, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Ezra 3:6 is the concluding statement of this initial period of re-established worship, emphasizing that even before the physical foundations of the temple building were laid, the essential act of worship – the burnt offering – had recommenced. This reflects their spiritual priorities, establishing the functionality of worship before the full structural rebuilding.

Ezra 3 6 Word Analysis

• "From the first day of the seventh month" (בְּאֶחָד בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִי, bəʾeḥāḏ baḥōḏeš haššəḇîʿî):

  • "First day" points to Rosh Chodesh Tishrei (Feast of Trumpets, Lev 23:23-25). This marks the civil New Year and is a day for holy convocation and special offerings.
  • "Seventh month" (Tishrei): This month is critically important in the Israelite liturgical calendar, containing the Feasts of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Commencing sacrifices then implies a complete adherence to the annual cycle of worship and signifies a fresh spiritual start for the returned community. It's a month of profound spiritual significance, embodying repentance, atonement, and communal rejoicing.

• "they began" (הֵחֵלּוּ, hēḥēllū):

  • From the Hebrew root ḥālal, which means "to begin, to commence, to open." Here, it signifies initiating a new, but ordained, sacred practice. It suggests a proactive and deliberate step to restore what was lost. The action was swift and without delay.

• "to offer burnt offerings" (עוֹלוֹת, ʿōlōṯ):

  • From the Hebrew verb ʿālā (עָלָה), meaning "to ascend" or "to go up." A ʿōlāh (burnt offering) was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolically ascending to God as "a pleasing aroma" (Lev 1:9). It symbolized total dedication, consecration, atonement, and fellowship with God. It was a foundational part of the daily temple service and specific festivals.

• "to the Lord" (לַֽיהוָה, laYahweh):

  • Emphasizes the singular recipient of their worship and sacrifices: Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This reinforces the exclusive nature of Israel's relationship with Him and distinguishes their worship from pagan practices.

• "though the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not yet been laid" (וְהֵיכַל יְהוָה לֹא יֻסַּד, wəhêḵal Yahweh lōʾ yussaḏ):

  • "temple" (הֵיכַל, hêḵal): Refers specifically to the main sanctuary building or palace, not just the outer court or altar area.
  • "foundation... not yet been laid" (לֹא יֻסַּד, lōʾ yussaḏ): From yāsaḏ, "to found, establish." This critical clause highlights that their worship was not contingent on the perfect, complete structure. The immediate priority was resuming the acts of devotion commanded by God, which could proceed once the altar was functional. It demonstrated remarkable faith and adherence to divine instruction despite practical limitations and the immense task ahead.

Words-group Analysis:

• "From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord": This phrase underscores the precision and intentionality of their worship. They adhered strictly to the Mosaic calendar and ordinances, highlighting obedience as the core of their spiritual revival. Their first act of rebuilding was not construction, but restoration of liturgical function.

• "though the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not yet been laid": This contrasts the immediate spiritual priority (altar and offerings) with the delay in material progress (temple foundation). It's a powerful statement of faith – they did not wait for ideal conditions or a perfect physical edifice to resume worshipping God in the prescribed manner. Their worship was based on divine command and covenant, not human achievement.

Ezra 3 6 Bonus Section

• The returnees' act of worshipping God on an altar without a completed temple foreshadows the New Covenant understanding that God's presence is not confined to physical structures, and true worship is "in spirit and truth" (Jn 4:24).
• Their dedication provides a model for modern believers: circumstances may not be ideal, but obedience and fervent worship of God should not be delayed. The emphasis is on spiritual discipline and devotion even in less-than-perfect situations.
• The resumption of daily burnt offerings highlights the constancy and regularity required in genuine devotion, forming the bedrock of their covenant renewal. This was not a one-time event, but the restoration of a consistent practice.

Ezra 3 6 Commentary

Ezra 3:6 powerfully conveys the spiritual priorities of the returning Jewish exiles. Faced with the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem and its sacred structures from scratch, their first and most urgent undertaking was the restoration of their worship life. The very first day of the seventh month—a day of holy convocation—saw them offering burnt offerings, not in a fully rebuilt temple, but on a freshly constructed altar. This immediate re-establishment of sacrifice before the temple foundation was even laid is profoundly significant.

It reveals their unwavering commitment to the Mosaic Law and the covenant with Yahweh. Despite facing opposition, fear (Ezra 3:3), and overwhelming physical devastation, their spiritual well-being and obligation to God took precedence. It communicates that the essence of worship lay not in the grand edifice but in the commanded acts of sacrifice and obedience to the Lord. This act was a powerful declaration of their identity and devotion to God after decades of exile. It served as a vital spiritual anchor, bringing a sense of order and purpose to a people undergoing immense transition, affirming God's presence among them even in their vulnerable state. It set a foundational principle: prioritize worship and God's commands above all other tasks, even the seemingly necessary physical construction.