Ezra 3 8

Ezra 3:8 kjv

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.

Ezra 3:8 nkjv

Now in the second month of the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began work and appointed the Levites from twenty years old and above to oversee the work of the house of the LORD.

Ezra 3:8 niv

In the second month of the second year after their arrival at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak and the rest of the people (the priests and the Levites and all who had returned from the captivity to Jerusalem) began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years old and older to supervise the building of the house of the LORD.

Ezra 3:8 esv

Now in the second year after their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their kinsmen, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to supervise the work of the house of the LORD.

Ezra 3:8 nlt

The construction of the Temple of God began in midspring, during the second year after they arrived in Jerusalem. The work force was made up of everyone who had returned from exile, including Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jehozadak and his fellow priests, and all the Levites. The Levites who were twenty years old or older were put in charge of rebuilding the LORD's Temple.

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 3 8 Meaning

Ezra 3:8 signifies the precise moment when the physical rebuilding of the Second Temple began in Jerusalem. It details the leaders, Zerubbabel (political) and Jeshua (spiritual), orchestrating the commencement of the work, alongside the priests, Levites, and the entire repatriated community. Crucially, it highlights the structured organization, specifically appointing Levites aged twenty and above to oversee the construction, marking a critical step in the restoration of worship and the re-establishment of the community's spiritual center following the Babylonian exile.

Ezra 3 8 Context

Ezra 3 marks a pivotal period following the initial return of Jewish exiles to Jerusalem under Cyrus's decree. The chapter first describes the rebuilding of the altar and the re-establishment of daily sacrifices and festivals (Ezra 3:1-6), signifying the spiritual cleansing and return to covenant obligations. Verse 8 transitions from the spiritual ritual to the physical act of reconstruction. After one year of their return, the official project of building the temple itself commences. This initiation under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the civil governor from the Davidic line, and Jeshua, the high priest from the Aaronic line, highlights the crucial cooperation between political and spiritual authority essential for Israel's restoration. The scene unfolds roughly 536 BC, two years after the first return (538 BC), embodying the fulfillment of prophecy and the earnest, if humble, beginnings of God's people restoring His dwelling place among them in a land still under Persian rule and surrounded by skeptical neighbors.

Ezra 3 8 Word analysis

• Now in the second month of the second year: Precise chronological markers, emphasizing divine providence and adherence to a set timeframe. This timing echoes the start of Solomon's Temple construction (1 Kgs 6:1), suggesting continuity in God's divine plan.
• of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem:
  • house of God (בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים, beit elohim): The Temple, central to Israelite worship and God's presence. Its restoration symbolizes renewed covenant relationship.
  • Jerusalem: The chosen city, signifying the physical and spiritual restoration of the nation to its homeland.
• Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel:
  • Zerubbabel (זְרֻבָּבֶל): Likely means "seed of Babel" or "born in Babylon," reflecting his birth in exile. A descendant of King David (1 Chr 3:17-19), he served as governor and was vital for the rebuilding, embodying Messianic hope (Hag 2:23; Zech 4:9).
  • Shealtiel (שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל): Means "I have asked God," highlighting a connection to divine inquiry or prayer.
• and Jeshua the son of Jozadak:
  • Jeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ): Short for Joshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation." The high priest, vital for the spiritual leadership of the community and representing the restored Aaronic priesthood (Zech 3:1-8).
  • Jozadak: Highlighting his lineage within the priestly line (1 Chr 6:14-15).
• and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites:
  • Priests (כֹּהֲנִים, kohanim) and Levites (לְוִיִּם, Levi'im): Specific, divinely appointed roles for temple service, sacrifice, and instruction. Their presence underlines a return to established divine order.
• and all who had come from the captivity to Jerusalem: "Captivity" (גָלוּת, galut) signifies the trauma of exile, underscoring the miraculous return and God's faithfulness. This phrase emphasizes the collective involvement and commitment of the entire community, not just leaders, reflecting a unified effort.
• began the work and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to oversee the work of the house of the Lord:
  • began the work: A significant verb, marking the physical commencement after previous spiritual preparation.
  • appointed (הֶעֱמִיד, he`amiyd): Means to set up, establish, or make to stand, indicating a formal, authorized commissioning for a specific duty.
  • Levites, from twenty years old and upward: Specifies a required age for a segment of Levites involved in the construction project. While Numbers 8:24 stated 25 for general service, 1 Chronicles 23:24, 27 specifies twenty years old for some Levitical duties, likely adapting to practical necessities for "oversight" (natsach, נצח – director/foreman) of such a significant work. This highlights a blend of faithfulness to Mosaic law with practical adjustments for post-exilic circumstances.
  • to oversee (לְנַצֵּחַ, lenatzeach): Means to superintend, to direct, to be a foreman or director. This specific task for the Levites points to a structured and professional management of the temple construction, emphasizing order and dedication.
  • house of the Lord (בֵּית יְהֹוָה, beit Yahweh): Uses the divine name Yahweh, reinforcing the sacred nature and divine ownership of the Temple.

Ezra 3 8 Bonus section

• The "second month of the second year" does not just denote a precise timeline but also serves as an intentional echo of the very same month (the month Ziv, which is the second month) in which Solomon began building the first Temple (1 Kgs 6:1). This mirroring likely intended to signify divine blessing, continuity with previous generations of worship, and a re-establishment of divine order for temple work after generations of desolation.
• The collaboration between Zerubbabel, representing the Davidic royal line, and Jeshua, representing the Aaronic priesthood, serves as a vivid prototype for the future Messiah. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah later amplify this joint leadership, particularly Zechariah 6:12-13, which describes a "Branch" who will build the temple and "be a priest on his throne," foreshadowing the perfect priest-king role of Jesus Christ.
• The specification of Levites "from twenty years old and upward" to oversee the work shows an adaptation of traditional Levitical duties. While Mosaic law specified a higher age (e.g., 25 or 30 in Numbers) for full, hands-on tabernacle service, 1 Chronicles 23:24, 27 indicates that during David's reign, Levites started their duties, including temple work, from twenty years old. This flexibility highlights that God's people, even in their meticulous obedience, adapted practices to fit the current context and demands of restoration while upholding core principles of divine order and participation.
• The modest beginning of laying the foundation for this Second Temple stands in stark contrast to the unparalleled grandeur and resources commanded for Solomon's Temple. Yet, this humble start, born out of faith and immense effort from a recently returned, vulnerable community, carried profound spiritual weight, signifying enduring hope and the faithfulness of God despite great odds and external opposition (as seen later in Ezra 4).

Ezra 3 8 Commentary

Ezra 3:8 is a landmark verse describing the tangible beginning of the Second Temple's reconstruction. After re-establishing the altar and regular sacrifices, this verse pivots to the foundational work of the temple structure itself. The presence of Zerubbabel (civil governor) and Jeshua (High Priest) illustrates a vital collaboration of political and spiritual authority under God's guidance. Their orderly commencement of work, involving all returned exiles, demonstrated renewed commitment and trust in Yahweh. The specific designation of Levites aged twenty and above to supervise the project highlights careful organization and adherence to divine instruction for temple service, even amidst practical considerations for the daunting task of rebuilding. This act of laying the temple's foundation served as a powerful symbol of restoration, hope, and the unwavering divine presence among a people re-establishing their national and spiritual identity after generations of exile.