Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 3:12
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, [who were] ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
12. But many &c. and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that ] R.V. But many &c. and heads of fathers’ houses, the old men who, i.e. the heads of the people who would be most conspicuous, priests, Levites, and heads of families. The Vulgate ‘et seniores’ has apparently introduced a fourth official class, ‘the Elders’. The elders are not mentioned here; but see chap. Ezr 5:5.
had seen the first house ] Solomon’s Temple was destroyed in 587. The foundation of the new Temple was laid in 536. There were even some alive sixteen years later (520) to whose recollection of the former building the prophet Haggai could appeal (Hag 2:3).
when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes ] The traditional interpretation preserved in the Hebrew accents connects this clause with the one preceding, ‘ the first house standing on its foundation, when this house was before their eyes ’ (so marg. R.V.) The objection to this rendering is the concrete use of the word rendered ‘foundation’ not found elsewhere. But the construction is more vigorous and more vivid than that of the A.V. preferred by most commentators, which connects the whole clause with the words following.
wept with a loud voice ] Clearly not tears of joy; expressions of joy are noticed in the next clause: nor tears of grief, because they could never live to see the completion of the building, or because the character of the work was by comparison with the former Temple poor and insignificant. Only the foundations were being laid, and the general plan was on a larger scale than that of Solomon’s Temple (see on Ezr 6:3). Disappointment at the small scale of the beginning may have taken possession of some (cf. Hag 2:3-9; Zec 4:10). But the thoughts of the disasters of their youth, the sorrows cf. their manhood in exile, the gaps in their numbers, the insignificance of the new community by comparison with the splendour of Messianic hopes (Isaiah 60), were enough to cause sadness and weeping.
shouted aloud for joy ] the younger and middle-aged men. If memory was sad, hope was joyful.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Wept … shouted … for joy – Compare the marginal reference and Zec 4:10. It is implied that the dimensions of the second temple were smaller than those of the first. Hence, the feeling of sorrow which came upon some. They, however, who had not seen the former temple, and so could not contrast the two, naturally rejoiced to see the sanctuary of their religion begin to rise from its ruins.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. Wept with a loud voice] They saw that the glory had departed from Israel; in their circumstances it was impossible to build such a house as the first temple was; and had this been even possible, still it would have been greatly inferior, because it wanted the ark of the covenant, the heavenly fire, the mercy-seat, the heavenly manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, the Divine shechinah, the spirit of prophecy, and most probably the Urim and Thummim.
Many shouted for joy] Finding they were now restored to their own land, and to the worship of their God in his own peculiar city: these, in general, had not seen the original temple; and therefore could not feel affected in that way which the elderly people did.
The sight must have been very affecting: a whole people, one part crying 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 comforted them on this occasion by assuring them that the glory of this latter house should exceed that of the former, because the Lord (Jesus Christ) was to come to this temple, and fill it with his glory. See Haggai, Hag 2:1-9.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Had seen the first house; which divers of them might very well do, because it was destroyed not quite sixty years ago, as is manifest from 2Ki 25; 2Ch 36; Eze 40:1.
Wept with a loud voice; partly, because of the poor and small preparations made for this in comparison of what was made for the other temple; partly, because this temple was divested and destitute of those things which were the principal glory of the former temple, to wit, the ark, and the Urim and Thummim, &c.; partly, because these foundation stones were far inferior to the former, both for quantity and price, 1Ki 7:9,10; and partly, because these foundations were of a far narrower compass than the former; for although the foundations of this house of the Lord, strictly so called, were at least of equal largeness with those of the former, by comparing 1Ki 6:2, and Ezr 6:1-3; yet the foundations of the whole building belonging to the first temple, and adjoining to it, or in the courts of it, were far larger than these.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. But many of the priests andLevites and chief of the fathers . . . wept with a loud voiceThosepainful emotions were excited by the sad contrast between theprosperous circumstances in which the foundations of the first templehad been laid and the desolate, reduced state of the country and citywhen the second was begun; between the inferior size and lesscostliness of the stones used in the foundations of the second(1Ki 7:9; 1Ki 7:10),and the much smaller extent of the foundation itself, including allthe appurtenances of the building (Hag2:3); between the comparative smallness of their present meansand the immense resources of David and Solomon. Perhaps, however, thechief cause of grief was that the second temple would be destitute ofthose things which formed the great and distinguishing glory of thefirst; namely, the ark, the shekinah, the Urim and Thummim, &c.Not that this second temple was not a very grand and beautifulstructure. But no matter how great its material splendor was, it wasinferior in this respect to that of Solomon. Yet the glory of thesecond far outshone that of the first temple in another and moreimportant point of view, namely, the receiving within its walls theincarnate Saviour (Hag 2:9).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But many of the priests and Levites, and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men,…. Seventy or eighty years of age:
that had seen the first house; the temple built by Solomon, as they very well might, since then it had been destroyed but fifty two years; for the seventy years captivity are to be reckoned from the fourth of Jehoiakim, when it began, and which was eighteen years before the destruction of the temple; the beginning of the next clause,
when in the foundation, according to the Hebrew accents, is to be connected with this,
that had seen the first house; not when first founded, for that was five hundred years ago, but in “its foundation”; they saw it standing upon its foundation, in all its glory, and so the Septuagint version; and we may read on, when
this house was before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; seeing what it was like to be by the foundation now laid, and was in their sight as nothing in comparison of the former; see Hag 2:3 but Aben Ezra connects this clause as we do,
when the foundation of this house was laid; not but that the dimensions of this house strictly taken were as large as the former: see Ezr 6:3, but not the courts and appendages to it: besides, what might affect them, there was no likelihood of its being so richly decorated with gold and silver as the former temple, and many things would be wanting in it, as the Urim and Thummim, c.
and many shouted aloud for joy of the younger sort, who had never seen the grandeur of the first temple, and were highly delighted with the beginning of this, and the hope of seeing it finished.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(12) But many of the priests and Levites . . . wept with a loud voice.This most affecting scene requires the comment of Haggai 2 and Zeeh. 4. The first house was destroyed in B.C. 588, fifty years before. The weeping of the ancients was not occasioned by any comparison as to size and grandeur, unless indeed they marked the smallness of their foundation stones. They thought chiefly of the great desolation as measured by the past; the younger peoplc thought of the new future.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. Ancient men, that had seen the first house So not a few of the returned exiles were the same persons whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried captive more than half a century before.
When the foundation of this house was laid The Masoretic accent, and most natural grammatical construction of the Hebrew text, would require us to render thus Had seen the first house when its foundation was laid. But none of these ancient men could have been so old as to have witnessed the laying of the foundation of the first temple nearly five hundred years before, and hence some take here in the sense of standing upon its foundation. The word, however, has nowhere else such a meaning, and it seems therefore better to disregard the accent, and construe with what follows, as is done in our common version. Literally, then, the Hebrew reads: In its being founded this house before their eyes. Maurer refers the Hebrew suffix to Zerubbabel when he (Zerubbabel) laid the foundation of this house; but as he is not mentioned in the context, it is better to translate the passage impersonally, and the common version can hardly be improved.
When the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes When they witnessed the founding of this second temple the old men wept with a loud voice at the remembrance of the desolation of former glory, while others shouted aloud for joy in the strong hope and prospect of the restoration or former glory. Here, says Wordsworth, “is an apt emblem of every thing, however joyous, which is done in the Church militant on earth. Her march of victory is through a vale of tears; her restorations are memorials of sins which have caused the destruction of that which had been dissolved. Even when she celebrates the glories of the incarnation of Christ, who made our nature to be a temple of the Godhead, she may not forget to weep for the ruin into which the temple of that nature fell by sin.”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ver. 12. But manywept with a loud voice Not only because this temple was likely to prove far inferior to that of Solomon as to its outward structure; but because it was also to want those extraordinary marks of the divine favour wherewith the other temple was honoured. Both the temples, without doubt, were of the same dimensions; but here was the sad difference which drew tears from the eyes of the elders, that to all appearance there were no hopes that the poor beginnings of the latter temple would ever be raised to the grandeur and magnificence of the former, since the one had been built by the wisest and richest king, and constantly adorned by some one or other of his posterity; the other was now begun by a small company of exiles, just returned from their captivity: the one in a time of profound peace and the greatest opulence; the other in a time of common calamity and distress: the one finished with the most costly stones and timber, wrought with exquisite art, and overlaid with vast quantities of gold; the other to be raised out of no better materials than what could be dug from the ruinous foundation of the old one. But the occasion of their grief was not only this, that the materials and ornaments of the second temple were even as nothing in comparison with the first (Hag 2:3.); but that the ark of the covenant, and the mercy-seat which was upon it; the holy fire upon the altar; the Urim and Thummim; the spirit of prophesy; and the Shechinah, or Divine presence, the five great things for which the former temple was so renowned, were lost and gone, and never to be recovered to this other. This was a just matter of lamentation to those who had seen these singular tokens of the Divine favour in the former temple, and a discouragement of their proceeding with the building of the present; and therefore the prophet Haggai was sent to inform them, that all these wants and defects should be abundantly repaired by the coming of the Messiah, the true Shechinah of the Divine Majesty, in the time of the second temple: (ch. Ezr 2:7; Ezr 2:9.) I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come; and I will fill this house with glory; the glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts.
REFLECTIONS.1st, Scarcely were they settled in their several possessions, before,
1. They with one consent assembled at Jerusalem, at the approach of the seventh month, to consult together about carrying on the work of God, and beginning the service of the sanctuary. Amid all their other cares, many and perplexing as they must have been, God’s glory was their chief concern. Note; All is likely to end well with us, when we are careful thus to begin with God.
2. The high-priest, his brethren, and the chief princes, hereupon set up the altar in the same place where it had stood; perhaps the old bases might remain: though they could not quickly rear the temple, they would not defer till then the service of the altar. Note; (1.) When we cannot enjoy all the ordinances that we desire, we should be the more diligent to improve those in our power. Wherever we are, at least we need not want an altar for prayer and praise. (2.) Those who are distinguished in station should adorn it by the eminence of their zeal for God.
3. The reason given for their solicitude to begin God’s worship was, the fear of their enemies, who hated them, and failed not to oppose their designs. Note; (1.) The best defence is, God’s favourable presence. (2.) We must not be frightened out of our religion: man’s threatenings should only quicken our prayers.
4. No sooner was the altar reared, than they began to offer their sacrifices on the first day of the seventh month, which was the feast of blowing of trumpets. From thenceforward, they continued the daily sacrifice, and kept the appointed feasts in their season, though the foundation of the temple was not laid. Note; (1.) We must make the best of what we enjoy, and do what we can when we cannot do all that we would. (2.) Every day we are required to offer the sacrifice of a grateful heart.
5. Beside the instituted sacrifices, they offered also free-will offerings. Though they could ill spare them from their little stock of cattle, yet they concluded that they should never be the poorer for what burned on God’s altar.
6. They began to make preparations for building the temple, giving out the money that they had collected to the proper workmen, and engaging those of Tyre and Zidon to supply them with materials, according to the grant which Cyrus had made them. Thus a second time did they assist in rearing a temple for God. Note; Many help to build God’s house, whose names, it is to be feared, will not be found in the book of life. They serve his interests only because they promote their own.
2nd, Though the work was great, their hearts were eager upon it, and therefore the preparations went on briskly.
1. In the second month of the second year the foundation was laid; seven months the materials were preparing, and then without delay they began to build. Note; (1.) If church-work be slow, it is because those who are engaged in it care not for the worship. (2.) What our hand findeth to do for God, we must do it with our might.
2. Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and their brethren the priests and Levites, forwarded with zeal the service: and of the Levites, officers were appointed to look over the workmen. Note; The eye that oversees is as necessary as the hand that builds.
3. When the foundation was laid, the priests with trumpets, and the Levites with cymbals, praised God in the Eucharistic hymn; the burden of which was, for his mercy endureth for ever, see Psalms 136. Note; The never-failing mercy of God is just matter of everlasting praise; and we can be in no circumstance, or condition, in which we are not bound to acknowledge this precious truth.
4. Very different emotions were on this occasion awakened in the bosoms of the spectators. The younger part, who had never seen the former temple, beheld with delight the glorious fabric rising to their view, while the more aged fathers could not but look back to the magnificence of the ancient house, and weep to behold the change. It was now about fifty-four years, according to the most received computation, since Solomon’s temple was destroyed; and many of those who were returned from the captivity might well remember it. The voice of weeping and shouting was thus blended together; but the shouting prevailed, and was heard at a distance; the mourning was only heard at home. Note; (1.) It is matter of joy to see revivals of religion, though they come not up to those in the days of our fathers. (2.) Even in our joys, some drops of sorrow will mingle: it will only be perfectly pure when we come to the better temple.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
This account affords an interesting moment of history, and furnisheth out as beautiful a representation of the love and zeal of both characters. It must have been a striking sight to have beheld those who were clamorous with holy joy, as well as those who were grieved with holy sorrow. The prophet Haggai was commissioned to quiet the minds of the afflicted ones with that precious promise; that notwithstanding all outward splendor was wanting in this second temple, compared to the first, yet the glory of the latter should be greater than the glory of the former. And was it not so, when in after ages the Lord Jesus came, in the substance of our flesh, into it? Hag 2:9 . Precious promise then to quiet the minds of the afflicted. And oh! how infinitely more precious now, who have lived to see it fulfilled. Blessed be the Lord, who hath come to his temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom we delight in. Mal 3:1 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Ezr 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, [who were] ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Ver. 12. Who were ancient men ] From seventy years of age and upwards; for it was but seventy years before this that the temple was burnt.
Wept with a loud voice
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
chief = heads.
who were. Some codices, with one early printed edition and “Vulgate, read “and the”.
shouted aloud for joy. Thus fulfilling Jer 33:10, Jer 33:11.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
many: Hag 2:3
when the foundation: Job 8:7, Isa 41:14, Isa 60:22, Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Zec 4:10, Mat 13:31, Mat 13:32
wept: Psa 126:6, Jer 31:8, Jer 31:9
Reciprocal: 1Ch 22:5 – exceeding 2Ch 20:19 – a loud Ezr 4:2 – Zerubbabel Ezr 6:16 – with joy Job 38:7 – shouted Psa 132:9 – shout Jer 30:3 – and I Jer 50:4 – going Eze 7:20 – the beauty Mat 28:8 – with Act 16:25 – and the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, [who were] ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, {g} wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
(g) Because they saw that it was not nearly as glorious as the temple Solomon had built, nonetheless Aggeus comforted them and prophesied that it would be more beautiful than the first, meaning the spiritual temple, they who are the members of Christ’s body.