Laying the Temple Foundation
Ezra 3:7-13
Ezr.3.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחצבים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולחרשים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומאכל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומשתה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמן: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לצדנים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולצרים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- להביא: VERB,hif,inf
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ארזים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מן: PREP
- הלבנון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- ים: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- יפוא: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- כרשיון: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- כורש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- פרס: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kings 5:6-12 (verbal): Solomon's arrangement with Hiram of Tyre to bring cedar and cypress from Lebanon to the sea-board (Joppa) and provision/payment for the work—close verbal and situational parallel (cedar import, Tyrian involvement, wages/food for craftsmen).
- 2 Chronicles 2:3-16 (verbal): Parallel retelling of Solomon's contract with the king of Tyre/Hiram: shipment of timber from Lebanon to Joppa, provision of workers and supplies—matches the cedar-for-pay and Tyrian/Sidonien involvement in Ezra 3:7.
- Nehemiah 2:8 (thematic): Nehemiah obtains a royal letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, to provide timber for Jerusalem—echoes the theme of royal permission and royal timber resources (Lebanon timber) provided for Jerusalem's building projects.
- Ezra 1:1-4 (and 1:7) (allusion): Cyrus's decree permitting the return and rebuilding of the temple and the royal provision of silver/gold and vessels; Ezra 3:7's reference to 'the grant of Cyrus king of Persia' alludes to this wider Cyrus authorization and provisioning.
Alternative generated candidates
- They also gave money to the carpenters and to the masons, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and Tyrians, that they might bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, by the grant of Cyrus king of Persia.
- They gave silver to the stonecutters and to the carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians, to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, by the grant of Cyrus king of Persia.
Ezr.3.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובשנה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- השנית: ADJ,ord,f,sg,def
- לבואם: VERB,qal,inf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לירושלם: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- השני: ADJ,m,sg,def
- החלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- זרבבל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאלתיאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישוע: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יוצדק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושאר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff,3,m,pl
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- הבאים: PART,qal,ptcp,masc,pl,def
- מהשבי: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויעמידו: VERB,hiphil,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מבן: PREP
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- לנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- מלאכת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 23:24 (verbal): States that the Levites were listed 'twenty years old and upward' for service in the house of the LORD, closely matching Ezra's appointment of Levites from age twenty for temple work.
- Numbers 8:24-25 (thematic): Gives a Mosaic regulation about the age for Levitical service (from twenty‑five years), connecting to the same topic of age‑requirements for temple/assembly duties and showing variation in practice.
- Numbers 4:3 (thematic): Specifies age limits (thirty to fifty years) for the Kohathite duties in the tabernacle, illustrating related Levitical age‑rules for specific temple tasks that Ezra implements differently.
- Nehemiah 12:44 (structural): Describes the Levites being appointed/recorded for service in the post‑exilic community (days of Jeshua and Zerubbabel) and the organization of temple personnel, paralleling Ezra's establishment of Levitical oversight.
Alternative generated candidates
- And in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak and their brothers the priests and the Levites—and all who had come from the exile to Jerusalem—began to appoint the Levites from twenty years old and upward to oversee the work of the house of the LORD.
- In the second year of their coming to the house of God in Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak and their brothers, the priests and the Levites and all who had come from the exile to Jerusalem, began to set the Levites—men from twenty years old and upward—to oversee the work of the house of the LORD.
Ezr.3.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ישוע: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ואחיו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- קדמיאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובניו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- כאחד: PREP
- לנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- חנדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בניהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,pl
- ואחיהם: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Ezra 3:2 (verbal): Same leaders named (Jeshua/Joshua, Kadmiel, sons of Judah) set up to build/oversee the house of the LORD; closely related wording and role.
- Ezra 3:8 (structural): Describes the formal appointment of priests and Levites to the work of the house (including age qualifications) — parallels the organization and oversight of the temple workforce.
- 1 Chronicles 23:3 (thematic): David and all Israel set the Levites before Aaron to minister in the LORD’s service, assigning them duties — analogous institution of Levites as temple ministers/overseers.
- 1 Chronicles 15:6 (thematic): David summons Levites and priests to oversee the bringing up of the ark and the worship, showing Levites appointed to manage sacred work and liturgy, parallel to Ezra’s overseers.
- Nehemiah 12:44 (thematic): Records Levites appointed over storerooms, offerings and tithes and charged with temple duties — parallels the administrative and caretaking functions assigned to the Levites in Ezra 3:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jeshua and his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, and the sons of Judah were set as one to supervise the work of the house of God; the sons of Henadad, their sons and their brothers, the Levites.
- And Jeshua and his sons and brothers, and Kadmiel and his sons—the sons of Judah—were appointed together to oversee the doing of the work in the house of God; the Levites were the sons of Henadad, with their sons and brothers.
Ezr.3.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הבנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- היכל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויעמידו: VERB,hiphil,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- הכהנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מלבשים: VERB,piel,part,m,pl
- בחצצרות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- והלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אסף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- במצלתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- להלל: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- דויד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 15:16 (verbal): David appointed the Levites to minister with musical instruments (trumpets) before the ark—direct background for the liturgical arrangement cited in Ezra 3:10.
- 1 Chronicles 16:4-6 (verbal): Describes the Levitical musicians (Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun) with cymbals and trumpets to give thanks and praise to the LORD—closely parallels Ezra’s mention of the sons of Asaph and the instruments.
- 2 Chronicles 5:12-13 (thematic): When the priests and Levites praised with trumpets and cymbals at the temple services the glory of the LORD filled the house—parallels the Temple-centered corporate praise in Ezra 3:10.
- 2 Chronicles 29:25-30 (thematic): Hezekiah organized priests and Levites with specific musical duties and instruments to give thanks and praise in the house of the LORD—another post-exilic/renewal parallel to Ezra’s cultic music.
- Psalm 150:3-5 (allusion): A doxology calling for praise with trumpet, harp, timbrel, strings and cymbals—echoes the liturgical use of trumpets and cymbals in Ezra 3:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments with trumpets, and the Levites—the sons of Asaph—with cymbals, were standing to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel.
- When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments stood with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the LORD, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel.
Ezr.3.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בהלל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובהודת: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חסדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- על: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הריעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- תרועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בהלל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- הוסד: DET+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 136:1 (verbal): Contains the same liturgical line “For he is good; for his mercy endures forever,” the recurrent refrain of thanksgiving.
- 1 Chronicles 16:34 (quotation): Identical formula appears in David’s thanksgiving/temple liturgy—same wording used in worship and likely a source for Ezra’s phrase.
- 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (structural): Description of the dedication of the temple with trumpets, singers, a great shout and the house filled with God's glory, paralleling the communal praise at laying the house’s foundation.
- Nehemiah 12:43 (thematic): A later account of public dedication and rejoicing in the course of rebuilding (walls/temple), with great gladness and thanksgiving similar to Ezra’s communal acclamation.
Alternative generated candidates
- They sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the LORD, for the LORD is good, for his steadfast love toward Israel endures forever; and all the people shouted with a great shout, praising the LORD because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
- They sang praise and thanksgiving to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love toward Israel endures forever. And all the people gave a great shout in praise of the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.
Ezr.3.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ורבים: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl,abs
- מהכהנים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,def
- והלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וראשי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,const
- האבות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הזקנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הראשון: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ביסדו: PREP+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעיניהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,poss-3,m,pl
- בכים: PART,qal,ptcp,m,pl
- בקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ורבים: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl,abs
- בתרועה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשמחה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להרים: INF+VERB,qal,inf
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Haggai 2:3 (allusion): Explicitly echoes the question about who saw the former house—connects the elders’ lament at seeing the new foundation with Haggai’s appeal about the former glory of the Temple.
- Psalm 126:5-6 (thematic): Shares the motif of weeping turning into shouts of joy at restoration—'those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy' parallels the mixed weeping and rejoicing in Ezra.
- 2 Chronicles 5:12-14 (structural): Describes priests and Levites with trumpets and cymbals at the Temple dedication and the overwhelming divine glory—parallels the liturgical music and communal response in Ezra.
- Nehemiah 12:27-43 (thematic): Narrates public rejoicing, musical processions, and dedication ceremonies in the return period; echoes the communal celebration and loud rejoicing at a sacred dedication found in Ezra 3:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- But many of the priests and Levites and heads of households, old men who had seen the first house, when they saw the foundation of this house laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy.
- Many of the priests and Levites and heads of ancestral houses, old men who had seen the former house, when they saw the foundation of this house, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy,
Ezr.3.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מכירים: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl
- קול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תרועת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- השמחה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לקול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מריעים: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl
- תרועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- והקול: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- נשמע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- למרחוק: PREP
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 5:12-14 (structural): Temple dedication scene where trumpeters and singers make one sound that is heard afar; the public worship and audible shout at the inauguration parallel Ezra's description of mixed loud rejoicing filling the air.
- Nehemiah 8:9-12 (thematic): A public assembly reacts with weeping on hearing God's word but is then urged to celebrate; parallels the mingling of weeping and great rejoicing among returned exiles in Ezra 3.
- Psalm 126:1-6 (thematic): Celebration at the Lord's restoration of Zion — 'those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy' — thematically echoes the transformation/juxtaposition of weeping and loud rejoicing after the return.
- Haggai 2:3-9 (allusion): Prophetic response to the same rebuilding context: acknowledges the people's discouragement at the temple's modest beginnings and promises future greater glory, reflecting the mixed emotions recorded in Ezra 3.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far off.
- so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the noise was heard far off.
They gave silver to the carpenters and the masons, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians, to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that Cyrus king of Persia had given them.
In the second year of their coming to the house of God in Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak and their brothers—the priests and the Levites and all who had come from the captivity to Jerusalem—began to appoint the Levites from twenty years old and upward to oversee the work on the house of the LORD. And Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah, together were appointed to supervise the work of the house of God; the sons of Henadad, their sons and their brothers, were the Levites.
When the builders laid the foundation of the house of the LORD, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to give praise to the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel.
They sang responsively, giving praise and thanks to the LORD, saying, “For he is good, for his steadfast love toward Israel endures forever.” And all the people shouted with a great shout in praise of the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses—old men who had seen the first house—when they saw the foundation of this house being laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy,
so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the people’s weeping; for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.