Ezra 3:2

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיָּקָם֩
H6965
Then stood up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#2
יֵשׁ֨וּעַ
H3442
Jeshua
jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine
#3
בֶּן
H1121
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק
H3136
of Jozadak
jotsadak, an israelite
#5
וְאֶחָ֔יו
H251
and his brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#6
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים
H3548
the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#7
וּזְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל
H2216
and Zerubbabel
zerubbabel, an israelite
#8
בֶּן
H1121
the son
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#9
שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙
H7597
of Shealtiel
shealtiel, an israelite
#10
וְאֶחָ֔יו
H251
and his brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#11
וַיִּבְנ֕וּ
H1129
and builded
to build (literally and figuratively)
#12
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
מִזְבַּ֖ח
H4196
the altar
an altar
#14
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
H430
of God
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
#15
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
H3478
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#16
לְהַֽעֲל֤וֹת
H5927
to offer
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#17
עָלָיו֙
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
עֹל֔וֹת
H5930
burnt offerings
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
#19
כַּכָּת֕וּב
H3789
thereon as it is written
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
#20
בְּתוֹרַ֖ת
H8451
in the law
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
#21
מֹשֶׁ֥ה
H4872
of Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#22
אִישׁ
H376
the man
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)
#23
הָֽאֱלֹהִֽים׃
H430
of God
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

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection