Ezra 3:2

Hebrew Bible Modern 1977

ויקם ישוע בן יוצדק ואחיו הכהנים וזרבבל בן שאלתיאל ואחיו ויבנו את מזבח אלהי ישראל להעלות עליו עלות ככתוב בתורת משה איש האלהים:

What Does This Mean?

This verse talks about Jeshua and Zerubbabel leading the rebuilding of the altar for burnt offerings, following the instructions in the law of Moses. It shows their dedication to following God's commands after returning from exile.

Explained for Children

Imagine you and your friends decide to rebuild a broken playground swing set so you can play on it again, just like in the old stories. That's what Jeshua and Zerubbabel did with the altar, so they could offer sacrifices to God just like in the old stories.

Historical Background

Ezra, a priest and scribe, wrote this book around 450-430 BCE. It details the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. The audience was the returning exiles and later generations of Jews.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this can remind us of the importance of maintaining our spiritual practices even after difficult periods. For example, after a long period of not attending church due to illness, one might rebuild their commitment by starting to pray daily and attend services again.

Topics

• rebuilding
• worship
• obedience
• leadership
• exile
• restoration

Related Verses

• Ezra 1:3
• Ezra 5:2
• Nehemiah 7:7
• 1 Chronicles 23:13
• Malachi 3:3

Recommended Reading

Commentary Ezra Commentaries → Get This Bible Hebrew Bible Modern Study Bible →

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was rebuilding the altar important?

Rebuilding the altar was crucial for the Israelites to resume their sacrificial worship, which was central to their faith and was required by the law of Moses to maintain their relationship with God.

Who were Jeshua and Zerubbabel?

Jeshua was the high priest leading the restoration efforts, and Zerubbabel was a lay leader from the royal line of David, both were key figures in organizing the return of the exiles to Jerusalem.

What does it mean to offer burnt offerings?

Burnt offerings were sacrifices entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing complete devotion to God and the cleansing of sins, as prescribed in the law of Moses.

How does this verse relate to modern worship?

This verse highlights the importance of maintaining and rebuilding spiritual traditions and practices, which in modern times can mean recommitting to regular worship, prayer, and faith community involvement.