Ezra 3:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י
Now in the second
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י
Now in the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
2 of 36
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
הַבָּאִים֙
and all they that were come out
H935
הַבָּאִים֙
and all they that were come out
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 36
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בֵּית
of the house
H1004
בֵּית
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 36
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
H430
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙
of God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 36
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
at Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
at Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
7 of 36
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י
Now in the second
H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י
Now in the second
Strong's:
H8145
Word #:
9 of 36
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
הֵחֵ֡לּוּ
began
H2490
הֵחֵ֡לּוּ
began
Strong's:
H2490
Word #:
10 of 36
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
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 36
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְיֵשׁ֨וּעַ
and Jeshua
H3442
וְיֵשׁ֨וּעַ
and Jeshua
Strong's:
H3442
Word #:
14 of 36
jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 36
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲחֵיהֶ֣ם׀
of their brethren
H251
אֲחֵיהֶ֣ם׀
of their brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
18 of 36
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים
the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֣ים
the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
19 of 36
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 36
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַבָּאִים֙
and all they that were come out
H935
הַבָּאִים֙
and all they that were come out
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
22 of 36
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מֵֽהַשְּׁבִ֣י
of the captivity
H7628
מֵֽהַשְּׁבִ֣י
of the captivity
Strong's:
H7628
Word #:
23 of 36
exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
at Jerusalem
H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם
at Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
24 of 36
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וַיַּֽעֲמִ֣ידוּ
and appointed
H5975
וַיַּֽעֲמִ֣ידוּ
and appointed
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
25 of 36
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
26 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
28 of 36
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
31 of 36
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
לְנַצֵּ֖חַ
to set forward
H5329
לְנַצֵּ֖חַ
to set forward
Strong's:
H5329
Word #:
32 of 36
properly, to glitter from afar, i.e., to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the temple services and its music); to be permanent
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
33 of 36
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
the work
H4399
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
34 of 36
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
Cross References
Ezra 4:3But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us.1 Chronicles 23:4Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:
Historical Context
The organizational structure mirrored Solomon's temple construction, which also employed Levitical overseers. The reduction of age requirements from thirty to twenty years may reflect the depleted population—fewer experienced Levites meant younger men must shoulder responsibility. This adaptation shows wisdom in applying principles flexibly while maintaining essential standards. The second month timing avoided the rainy season (November-March) and preceded the hot summer, providing optimal building conditions. Archaeological evidence of Persian-period construction techniques shows reliance on local limestone and imported cedar from Lebanon (v. 7), requiring significant organizational capacity and international trade relationships.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the deliberate timing to match Solomon's temple construction teach about honoring historical precedent while adapting to new circumstances?
- How does lowering the age requirement for Levitical service demonstrate the balance between maintaining standards and meeting practical needs?
- In what ways can modern church leadership structures reflect the biblical pattern of combining official calling with demonstrated competence?
Analysis & Commentary
The second year, second month marked approximately eighteen months after the return began. The timing was deliberate—the second month (Iyyar/April-May) corresponds to when Solomon began building the first temple (1 Kings 6:1), demonstrating intentional connection to historical precedent. Zerubbabel and Jeshua's joint leadership again emphasizes priestly-civil cooperation. The appointment of Levites 'from twenty years old and upward' as foremen lowered the typical thirty-year threshold (Numbers 4:3), suggesting practical need outweighed traditional restrictions. The verb 'to set forward' (natsach) means to oversee, manage, or superintend, indicating these Levites exercised real authority over the work. This demonstrates that leadership in God's kingdom requires both official calling and practical capability.