Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
EZRA 3:2KJVWhat does Ezra 3:2 mean?
Ezra 3:2 describes how Jeshua (a priest) and Zerubbabel (a leader) led the returned exiles in rebuilding the altar of God in Jerusalem so they could offer burnt offerings, following what was written in the law of Moses. This act marked the community’s effort to restore worship according to their ancient traditions after returning from exile.
The verse takes place just after some Israelites have come back from Babylonian exile. Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, along with other priests and leaders, take the initiative to rebuild the altar before anything else. Their first priority is to reestablish the proper worship of God as described in the Torah, showing their commitment to their faith and heritage.
The Hebrew behind Ezra 3:2
- מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach, “altar”): This word refers to the structure used for sacrifices. The rebuilding of the altar, before even the temple itself, highlights the importance of restoring sacrificial worship immediately.
- עֹלוֹת (olot, “burnt offerings”): This term means offerings that are completely burned on the altar. These offerings were a central part of Israelite worship and symbolized dedication to God.
- תּוֹרַת (torat, “law”): The word for “law” here refers specifically to the instructions given through Moses. The people are careful to follow the ancient commands, showing respect for their traditions and the authority of Moses as “the man of God.”
Why Ezra 3:2 matters
- Ezra 3:2 makes clear that the leaders prioritized worship and obedience to God’s law above rebuilding their own homes or even the temple itself.
- The verse connects the returning exiles to their ancestors by emphasizing that they followed “the law of Moses,” grounding their actions in a shared history and faith.
- This verse sets the tone for the rest of Ezra, showing that the restoration of proper worship was at the heart of the community’s renewal after exile.