Ezra 3:4
They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֛וּ
They kept
H6213
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֛וּ
They kept
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כַּכָּת֑וּב
as it is written
H3789
כַּכָּת֑וּב
as it is written
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
5 of 13
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
וְעֹלַ֨ת
burnt offerings
H5930
וְעֹלַ֨ת
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
6 of 13
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃
and offered the daily
H3117
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃
and offered the daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃
and offered the daily
H3117
בְּיוֹמֽוֹ׃
and offered the daily
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 13
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
בְּמִסְפָּ֔ר
by number
H4557
בְּמִסְפָּ֔ר
by number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
9 of 13
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
כְּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט
according to the custom
H4941
כְּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט
according to the custom
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
דְּבַר
as the duty
H1697
דְּבַר
as the duty
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 13
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Historical Context
The new moons and set feasts constituted Israel's sacred calendar, structuring time around God's redemptive acts. These observances lapsed during exile when temple and priesthood weren't accessible. Their restoration normalized covenant life according to divine prescription. Archaeological evidence shows ancient calendars regulated agricultural, economic, and religious cycles, integrating all life under divine ordering.
Questions for Reflection
- What does distinguishing between required and freewill offerings teach about duty and devotion in Christian life?
- How does structuring time around sacred calendar challenge modern secular time consciousness focused on efficiency and productivity?
Analysis & Commentary
Offering 'the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD' restored the complete Mosaic calendar. This demonstrates comprehensive covenant renewal, not selective observance. The phrase 'of every one that willingly offered' indicates voluntary additional sacrifices beyond required offerings. This distinction between mandatory and freewill offerings teaches both duty (what we owe God) and devotion (what we freely give from gratitude).