Ezra 3 9

Ezra 3:9 kjv

Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.

Ezra 3:9 nkjv

Then Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah, arose as one to oversee those working on the house of God: the sons of Henadad with their sons and their brethren the Levites.

Ezra 3:9 niv

Joshua and his sons and brothers and Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Hodaviah) and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers?all Levites?joined together in supervising those working on the house of God.

Ezra 3:9 esv

And Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, and Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together supervised the workmen in the house of God, along with the sons of Henadad and the Levites, their sons and brothers.

Ezra 3:9 nlt

The workers at the Temple of God were supervised by Jeshua with his sons and relatives, and Kadmiel and his sons, all descendants of Hodaviah. They were helped in this task by the Levites of the family of Henadad.

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 3 9 Meaning

Ezra 3:9 details the crucial leadership provided by the Levites during the initial stages of rebuilding the Jerusalem Temple's foundation after the return from Babylonian exile. It specifies the key Levitical family heads, Jeshua, Kadmiel, and Henadad, along with their families, who unitedly supervised the skilled workmen. This verse underscores the organized, divinely sanctioned effort to restore God's house, emphasizing structured authority and communal dedication for sacred labor.

Ezra 3 9 Context

Ezra chapter 3 marks the crucial beginning of the physical rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon. Having returned under Cyrus's decree, the initial focus (Ezra 3:1-6) was on re-establishing the altar and regular burnt offerings, signifying a recommitment to Yahweh worship as prescribed by the Torah. Verses 8-9 detail the organizational phase for constructing the temple itself, specifically laying its foundation. Zerubbabel, the governor, and Jeshua, the high priest, lead this endeavor. Verse 9 then specifically identifies the key Levitical overseers from significant Levitical families who were appointed to manage the practical work of laying the foundation. This act was not merely an architectural project but a profound religious and national undertaking, symbolizing the restoration of God's presence among His people and the fulfillment of prophetic promises. The verses that follow (3:10-13) vividly describe the emotional mixture of joy and sorrow as the foundation is laid, highlighting the profound significance of this moment for those who remembered the former temple's glory and those who rejoiced in this new beginning.

Ezra 3 9 Word analysis

• And Jeshua (וְיֵשׁוּעַ, wə-yēšūaʿ): "And Jeshua". Yeshua (Joshua) is a shortened form of "Yehoshua", meaning "Yahweh is salvation". Here it refers to Jeshua the son of Jozadak, the high priest, a crucial spiritual leader alongside Zerubbabel, highlighting the spiritual authority overseeing the temple's rebuilding. His presence signifies a divine and authorized work.
• with his sons and his brothers: This phrase emphasizes the familial and clan structure inherent in Israelite society and religious leadership. It signifies not merely individual effort but a corporate, lineage-based participation in the sacred work, ensuring continuity and unified responsibility.
• and Kadmiel (וְקַדְמִיאֵל, wə-qadmî’ēl): "And Kadmiel". A significant Levite leader, often mentioned in post-exilic lists alongside Jeshua and Henadad, indicating his prominence in the Levitical structure. His name likely means "ancient before God" or "God of old."
• and his sons: Again, highlights familial participation and the collective effort within the Levitical leadership.
• the sons of Hodaviah (בְּנֵי הוֹדַוְיָה, bənê hôdawyâ): "Sons of Hodaviah". Hodaviah means "Praise Yah" or "My praise is Yah". This identifies a specific Levitical family line, emphasizing the contribution of multiple, distinct Levitical houses.
• stood together (עָמְדוּ יַחַד, ʿāmədû yaḥaḏ): This indicates unity, solidarity, and a concerted effort. It suggests a formal positioning of authority and readiness for the task, highlighting their unified presence and commitment to the sacred work, rather than disjointed individual efforts.
• to oversee (לְנַצֵּחַ, lənaṣṣēaḥ): The Hebrew word suggests supervision, leadership, direction, or even mastery. It implies a role beyond simple observation; they were actively guiding, organizing, and ensuring the work proceeded correctly and efficiently, in accordance with the established blueprints and divine commands. This term is often used for a musical conductor, implying careful and precise direction.
• the workmen (עֹשֵׂה הַמְּלָאכָה, ‘ōśēh hamməlaḵah): Refers to "those doing the work" or "the laborers." This distinguishes between the overseers (Levites) and those performing the physical construction, showcasing an organized hierarchical structure essential for such a grand project.
• in the house of God (בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים, bêṯ hā’ělōhîm): The Temple in Jerusalem. This underscores the sacred nature of the building project, defining its ultimate purpose as a dwelling place for God and a center for His worship.
• the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brothers, the Levites: "Sons of Henadad" (Ḥênāḏāḏ, meaning "favor of Hadad," but here simply a well-known Levitical clan). This identifies yet another influential Levitical family group providing oversight. Their inclusion further demonstrates the broad Levitical participation and organized leadership, emphasizing that the entire Levitical order was involved in restoring the physical place of worship, adhering to their traditional roles as keepers of the Temple.

Ezra 3 9 Bonus section

• The meticulous detailing of the Levitical oversight in Ezra 3:9 stands as a stark contrast to any notion of pagan construction projects which might prioritize sheer human might or unorganized labor. This shows an emphasis on order, structure, and adherence to specific divinely ordained roles within Israel.
• The inclusion of specific Levitical family names reflects the significant role of tribal and familial identities in the post-exilic restoration. Their heritage and responsibilities were being revitalized along with the Temple itself, reaffirming their covenant identity.
• While not explicitly stated, the Levites' traditional responsibilities included gatekeeping, musical performance, and guarding the Temple treasuries. Their oversight role in Ezra 3:9 suggests that their leadership extended to coordinating various specialized tasks required for construction, preparing for the full resumption of their varied duties in the restored Temple.
• The selection of prominent Levitical families suggests a return to the established order of service that was integral to the first Temple's functioning, reinforcing the theme of restoration and continuity with Mosaic and Davidic precedents.

Ezra 3 9 Commentary

Ezra 3:9 succinctly presents a crucial moment in the post-exilic rebuilding effort: the organized commencement of the Temple's foundation laying. The explicit naming of Jeshua the high priest, alongside specific Levitical family heads (Kadmiel, Hodaviah, Henadad), underscores the structured and divinely-ordained nature of the work. This was not a haphazard effort but a meticulously planned undertaking guided by spiritual authority and specific priestly/Levitical lines. The phrase "stood together" emphasizes the unity and consensus among the leadership, essential for any grand communal task, especially one burdened by past failures and potential opposition. Their role as overseers, indicated by "to oversee" (a term often associated with skilled and precise direction, as in conducting music), highlights the diligent and competent management of the workforce engaged in this sacred task. The focus on "the house of God" solidifies the project's purpose: not merely constructing a building, but restoring the very center of Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. This verse sets the stage for the dedication that followed and exemplifies the spiritual principles of cooperative labor and leadership in God's service.