Ezra 3:8

Authorized King James Version

Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis

שָׁנָה֙

H8141

year

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַשֵּׁנִ֑י

H8145

Now in the second

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

הַבָּאִים֙

H935

and all they that were come out

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בֵּית

H1004

of the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙

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

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם

H3389

at Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בַּחֹ֖דֶשׁ

H2320

month

the new moon; by implication, a month

הַשֵּׁנִ֑י

H8145

Now in the second

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

#10

הֵחֵ֡לּוּ

H2490

began

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

#11

זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל

H2216

Zerubbabel

zerubbabel, an israelite

#12

מִבֶּ֨ן

H1121

old

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#13

שְׁ֠אַלְתִּיאֵל

H7597

of Shealtiel

shealtiel, an israelite

#14

וְיֵשׁ֨וּעַ

H3442

and Jeshua

jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine

#15

מִבֶּ֨ן

H1121

old

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#16

יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק

H3136

of Jozadak

jotsadak, an israelite

#17

וּשְׁאָ֥ר

H7605

and the remnant

a remainder

#18

אֲחֵיהֶ֣ם׀

H251

of their brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#19

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים

H3548

the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

#20

הַלְוִיִּ֗ם

H3881

and the Levites

a levite or descendant of levi

#21

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#22

הַבָּאִים֙

H935

and all they that were come out

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#23

מֵֽהַשְּׁבִ֣י

H7628

of the captivity

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

#24

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם

H3389

at Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

#25

וַיַּֽעֲמִ֣ידוּ

H5975

and appointed

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

#26

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#27

הַלְוִיִּ֗ם

H3881

and the Levites

a levite or descendant of levi

#28

מִבֶּ֨ן

H1121

old

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#29

עֶשְׂרִ֤ים

H6242

from twenty

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

#30

שָׁנָה֙

H8141

year

a year (as a revolution of time)

#31

וָמַ֔עְלָה

H4605

and upward

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

#32

לְנַצֵּ֖חַ

H5329

to set forward

properly, to glitter from afar, i.e., to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the temple services and its music); to be permanent

#33

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#34

מְלֶ֥אכֶת

H4399

the work

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

#35

בֵּית

H1004

of the house

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

#36

יְהוָֽה׃

H3068

of the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?