Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 3:13
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
13. So that the people could not discern ] literally, ‘And the people &c.’ The people generally, not merely the leaders, were of two minds. The sounds were mingled together; the weeping near at hand was as loud as the shouting. And the confused sound was audible a long way off.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
13. the people could not discern theshout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the peopleAmongEastern people, expressions of sorrow are always very loud andvehement. It is indicated by wailing, the howl of which is sometimesnot easily distinguishable from joyful acclamations.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people,…. That is, not clearly and distinctly, they were so mixed and confounded together, and made such a jarring and discord:
for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off; the shouting being of young people, whose voice was strongest, and they the most numerous, the noise of shouting prevailed over the noise of weeping; and it was heard further, and at a distance appeared more distinctly to be the noise of shouting, that of weeping not reaching so far; though Jarchi is of opinion that the noise of weeping was heard further than the noise of shouting, which is not likely.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(13) The noise was heard afar off.The people also mingled in the weeping, which was with shrill cries. The rejoicing and the sorrow were blended, and the common sound was heard from far. All here has the stamp of truth.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REFLECTIONS
SEE, my soul, in those perilous, poor times of the church, yet amidst all their poverty, the altar was set up, and the foundation of the temple laid. But thine Altar is forever established, and thy foundation from everlasting laid; even Jesus, who is the sum and substance of every altar, sacrifice, and priesthood, and the whole of the temple, foundation, and top-stone, brought forth with shoutings of grace, grace unto it. Yes! thou dear Redeemer, in the secret and mysterious nature of thy person, work, and office, thy blood and righteousness, do thy people find the Altar, on which all offerings can alone be offered. On thee, and in thee, and by thee, all the presentations of thy people’s persons and prayers come up with acceptance. And thou art the foundation on which is built their life, safety, happiness, and comfort, both in time and eternity. And, Lord, grant that in the view of thee and thy finished work, I may lose sight of all outward things; for neither the splendor of Solomon’s temple, nor the want of splendor in the second temple, is anything, for thou art All, and in all.
Where thou art, blessed Jesus, thou givest glory indeed, to the service, to the offering, in the church, in the heart of all thy people; and without thee what is all the outward adorning, or inward parade of church or worship? My soul therefore will weep like those men if thou art not present, and shout for joy when thou art with me. Everywhere, and in all things, be thou my portion; and then in all things my happiness will be complete. Thou art my dwelling place, my church, my temple, my altar, my sacrifice: for how full of all things art thou to supply every spiritual necessity? And while my soul is sweetly solacing herself in thee and on thee; while Christ is my home, my house, my habitation; his flesh my food; his blood my drink; his righteousness my covering; and all that belongs to Jesus my treasure; angels will be my ministering spirits; and Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, my companions both here and forever.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Ezr 3:13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Ver. 13. The noise of the shout of joy from the noise, &c. ] Nam partim iubilabant, partim eiulabant. Our joys, while we are here, will be mixed joys. Let those that would have joys unspeakable stir up sighs unutterable.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
So that: This sight must have been very affecting; a whole people, one part weeping aloud with sorrow, the other shouting aloud for joy; and on the same occasion too, in which both sides felt an equal interest. The prophet Haggai – Hag 2:1-9 comforted them on this occasion, by assuring them that the glory of this latter house should exceed that of the former, because the Lord would come to this temple, and fill it with His glory.
the noise: Jdg 2:5
shouted: Neh 12:43, Psa 5:11, Jer 33:11, Zec 4:7, Luk 19:37-40
and the noise: Exo 32:17, Exo 32:18, 1Sa 4:5, 1Ki 1:40, 1Ki 1:45, Psa 100:1, Psa 100:2
Reciprocal: 2Ch 20:19 – a loud Jer 50:4 – going Zec 4:10 – despised Mat 28:8 – with Act 16:25 – and the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ezr 3:13. So that the people could not discern, &c. The mixture of sorrow and joy here is a representation of this world. In heaven all are singing and none sighing; in hell all are wailing and none rejoicing: but here on earth we can scarce discern the shouts of joy from the noise of the weeping; let us learn to rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Meantime, let us ourselves rejoice as though we rejoiced not, and weep as though we wept not.