Ezra 3:2

Authorized King James Version

PDF

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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּקָם֩ Then stood up H6965
וַיָּקָם֩ Then stood up
Strong's: H6965
Word #: 1 of 23
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
יֵשׁ֨וּעַ Jeshua H3442
יֵשׁ֨וּעַ Jeshua
Strong's: H3442
Word #: 2 of 23
jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק of Jozadak H3136
יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק of Jozadak
Strong's: H3136
Word #: 4 of 23
jotsadak, an israelite
וְאֶחָ֔יו and his brethren H251
וְאֶחָ֔יו and his brethren
Strong's: H251
Word #: 5 of 23
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים the priests H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים the priests
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 6 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וּזְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל and Zerubbabel H2216
וּזְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל and Zerubbabel
Strong's: H2216
Word #: 7 of 23
zerubbabel, an israelite
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 8 of 23
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙ of Shealtiel H7597
שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙ of Shealtiel
Strong's: H7597
Word #: 9 of 23
shealtiel, an israelite
וְאֶחָ֔יו and his brethren H251
וְאֶחָ֔יו and his brethren
Strong's: H251
Word #: 10 of 23
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וַיִּבְנ֕וּ and builded H1129
וַיִּבְנ֕וּ and builded
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 11 of 23
to build (literally and figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִזְבַּ֖ח the altar H4196
מִזְבַּ֖ח the altar
Strong's: H4196
Word #: 13 of 23
an altar
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃ of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃ of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 14 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 15 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְהַֽעֲל֤וֹת to offer H5927
לְהַֽעֲל֤וֹת to offer
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 16 of 23
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עָלָיו֙ H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 17 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עֹל֔וֹת burnt offerings H5930
עֹל֔וֹת burnt offerings
Strong's: H5930
Word #: 18 of 23
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
כַּכָּת֕וּב thereon as it is written H3789
כַּכָּת֕וּב thereon as it is written
Strong's: H3789
Word #: 19 of 23
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
בְּתוֹרַ֖ת in the law H8451
בְּתוֹרַ֖ת in the law
Strong's: H8451
Word #: 20 of 23
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
מֹשֶׁ֥ה of Moses H4872
מֹשֶׁ֥ה of Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 21 of 23
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
אִישׁ the man H376
אִישׁ the man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 22 of 23
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃ of God H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃ of God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 23 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis & Commentary

Jeshua (Hebrew Yeshua, meaning 'Yahweh saves') served as high priest, while Zerubbabel (grandson of King Jehoiachin) provided political leadership as Davidic heir. Their partnership represents the biblical pattern of priestly and kingly offices working together—a foreshadowing of Christ who unites both roles. The phrase 'builded the altar' precedes temple reconstruction, showing proper priorities: worship and sacrifice before architectural accomplishment. The altar's construction 'according to the law of Moses' demonstrates commitment to biblical authority despite changed circumstances. They didn't innovate or adapt worship to post-exilic realities but submitted to divinely revealed patterns. This rebuilt altar stood on the original site, providing continuity with pre-exilic worship and validating the restoration's legitimacy.

Historical Context

Jeshua ben Jozadak descended from Zadok's priestly line, maintaining the Aaronic priesthood's continuity through exile. His father Jozadak had been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar (1 Chronicles 6:15). Zerubbabel ('seed of Babylon') bore a Babylonian name yet remained committed to Jerusalem's restoration. As governor appointed by Persia and Davidic descendant, he embodied the tension between political subjugation and messianic hope. The altar's reconstruction required locating the original site where Abraham had offered Isaac and where Solomon's temple altar had stood. This precise positioning maintained geographical and theological continuity with God's prior revelation.

Questions for Reflection