Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 3:3

And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear [was] upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, [even] burnt offerings morning and evening.

3. upon his bases ] R.V. upon its base. Marg. ‘ in its place ’. ( a) There is a difference of reading. The C’thib gives the singular, the K’ri the plural. The word occurs frequently in the plur. (e.g. 2Ki 16:17; 2Ki 25:13; Jer 27:19; Jer 52:17; Jer 52:20), it is probable that the singular has been altered into the more familiar plural usage. ( b) The meaning of the word is much controverted. On the one hand it is supposed that having cleared away the rubbish and dbris the leaders of the people came upon the old foundations or ‘base’ of the former altar and erected the new altar upon the spot. But the translation ‘upon its base’ scarcely admits of such latitude of interpretation; although the sentiment is most suitable.

On the other hand, if to ‘set upon its base’ merely means to erect, the term is unnecessarily ponderous.

The translation of the R.V. margin ‘in its place’ seems to be the best. It is very probable that the word in the verse is identical with that in Ezr 2:68. The altar was set up in the place which it was permanently to occupy.

for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries ] R.V. the countries. The condensed language of this clause in the original has occasioned much perplexity. Literally it runs ‘for in fear upon them because of &c.’. (i) Another rendering has been proposed ‘for they (set up the altar) in fear, which came upon them because of the people of the countries’, but this leaves the word ‘for’ unexplained and supposes a very awkward construction.

(ii) The translation of the A.V. and R.V. cuts the grammatical knot contained in the words ‘in fear’ by translating them as the subject. Accepting this translation ‘for fear was upon them &c.’, a further question is raised by the motive of their action. The following answers have been given: ( a) they set up the altar hoping to obtain thereby assistance from God, for they were in a state of fear: ( b) they set up the altar in haste, for they feared the neighbouring peoples lest their interference at the court of Cyrus should check the work at its outset.

(iii) Quite a different turn to the verse is given by another rendering (? that of Ewald). ‘They set up the altar (and they were able to do so), for there was a fear felt toward them (the Jews) on the part of the people of the country’. This would be a fear such as we read of in Gen 35:5; Exo 15:16; Jos 2:11. It is to be noticed that in the last two passages the same rather unusual word for terror is used as we find in this verse.

(iv) Supposing that there has been a corruption of the text, it has been suggested that some important words have fallen out and that we should read ‘And the people of the countries gathered themselves together against them, and they (the Jews) set up the altar in its place, for in a moment of terror at them did they set it up’. (Ryssel.)

(v) The suggestion is here made that a very slight alteration the omission of one letter (the preposition = ‘because of’) will supply a good sense and remove the grammatical difficulty, i.e. ‘ for the people of the countries were a terror to them ’. The accidental repetition of this one letter has probably given rise to the whole difficulty. The meaning of the verse then will be ‘they set up the altar, for their neighbours were a source of terror to them,’ and the erection of the altar gave them religious confidence, it constituted a national rallying point; it was a beginning, and the success of the first movement might be decisive.

the people of those countries ] R.V. the people of the countries. It is to be regretted that the R.V. has not here rendered this phrase (’amm ha- a roth) by ‘the peoples of the lands’ as in Ezr 9:1-2; Ezr 9:11. It here apparently means the inhabitants of the border countries. See note on Ezr 6:21.

burnt offerings morning and evening ] The daily sacrifice morning and evening as described in Exo 29:38; Num 28:3-8. Cf. Neh 10:38.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Upon his bases – They restored the old altar of burnt-offerings, which stood directly in front of the temple-porch, upon the old foundation. This became apparent on the clearing away of the ruins, and on a careful examination of the site.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 3. They set the altar upon his bases] Rebuilt it on the same spot on which it had formerly stood. As it was necessary to keep up the Divine worship during the time they should be employed in re-edifying the temple, they first reared this altar of burnt-offerings; and all this they did, “though fear was upon them,” because of the unfriendly disposition of their surrounding neighbours.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

3. they set the altar upon hisbasesThey reared it upon its old foundation, so that itoccupied as nearly as possible the site on which it had formerlystood.

they offered burnt offerings. . . morning and eveningDeeming it their duty to perform thepublic rites of religion, they did not wait till the temple should berebuilt and dedicated; but, at the outset, they resumed the dailyservice prescribed by the law (Exo 29:38;Exo 29:39; Lev 6:9;Lev 6:11), as well as observed theannual seasons of solemn observance.

Ezr3:4-7. OFFERINGSRENEWED.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And they set the altar upon his bases,…. Which might remain of the old altar; or the meaning is, that it was fixed and settled on the same spot where it stood before:

for fear was upon them, because of the people of those countries; and therefore they hastened to erect an altar, and offer sacrifices to the Lord, in hope that he would appear for them, and help them against their enemies; or rather, as some render the words q “though fear was upon them”, c. yet they were not deterred from the work, worship, and service of God:

and they offered burnt offerings unto the Lord, even burnt offerings, morning and evening the daily sacrifice, as directed to

Ex 29:38.

q “quamvis”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Patrick.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(3) Upon his bases.Upon its old site, or its place, discovered among the ruins. Thus was it signified that all the new was to be only a restoration of the old.

For fear was upon them.Until their offerings went up they did not feel sure of the Divine protection. This was their first act of defiance in the presence of the nations around: near the altar they were strong.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

3. Upon his bases Rather, upon its foundation. is here to be understood, as in Ezr 2:68, where it is rendered place, of foundations lain upon its ancient site.

For This particle introduces the first prominent reason for their speedy erection of the altar.

Fear was upon them Literally, in fear upon them.

Because of the people of those countries The surrounding population, whose hostile attitude towards the returned exiles began already to show itself, and soon after caused great troubles, and caused the rebuilding of the temple for a long time to cease. Chap. 4. They hoped by sacrifice and offering to secure the help of Jehovah against their foes.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ver. 3. For fear was upon them, &c. Although they were afraid of the neighbouring people. Houbigant.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Observe the morning and evening sacrifice. Here again remember, Reader, as this was according to the law of Moses, the lamb of the morning and evening sacrifice was offered. And what could more fully shadow forth the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world? Observe what is said of the fear of the people. They were surrounded with foes ready to take advantage of their present defenseless state. But yet in the midst, the Lord’s services shall not be neglected. Recollect, Reader, how it is said that the Spirit of the Lord was upon them, in inclining their hearts to the business. It is always profitable to eye the Holy Ghost in his gracious ministry.

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Ezr 3:3 And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear [was] upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, [even] burnt offerings morning and evening.

Ver. 3. And they set the altar upon his bases ] Upon the old foundation in the priests’ court, being glad of any place where to worship God jointly and publicly; for temple, as yet, there was none. Our worship-scorners are rightly styled by one, The last brood of Beelzebub.

For fear was upon them ] Though that was a lewd speech of the poet Statius, Primus in orbe Deos fecit Timor, It was timorousness that first made men religious; yet there’s no question but fear of danger driveth men to God, as it did these here. Their malignant neighbours, bandying and bending their forces against them, make them hasten up an altar, that they might get God on their side, and run to him reconciled, whatever evil should befall them. Be not thou a terror to me, Lord, saith holy Jeremiah, Jer 17:17 , and then I fear no creature. Let us sing the forty-sixth Psalm (said Luther once in a great strait), and then let the devil do his worst. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee,” Psa 56:3 . Some read the text thus, Though fear was upon them, yet that hindered not their setting up God’s altar; but they brake through all discouragements, and did their duty. It is well observed that the very light of nature taught heathens, that the services they performed to their gods with peril and hazard to themselves were best accepted. Caius Fabius ventured through the enemies’ camp to offer a solemn anniversary sacrifice, and returned in safety satis sperans (saith the historian) propitios fore Deos, quorum culture ne mortis quidem metu prohibitus intermisis set, trusting that in such a case his gods would secure him. When Numa, the second king of the Romans, heard, as he was sacrificing, that the enemies were coming, he made this answer, At ego rem divinam facio, E (Plut.); “if God be for us, who shall be against us?”

And they offered burnt offerings thereon ] That their sins might be expiated, and their persons protected. The ceremonial law was Christ in figure, it was their gospel.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

people = peoples.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

the altar: 2Ch 4:1

for fear: Ezr 4:11-16, Ezr 8:21, Ezr 8:22, Psa 27:1, Psa 27:2, Psa 56:2-4

even burnt: Exo 29:38-42, Num 28:2-8

Reciprocal: 1Ch 16:40 – To offer Ezr 2:68 – in his place Ezr 4:4 – weakened Ezr 5:15 – let the house Isa 27:9 – when Jer 17:26 – bringing burnt Eze 43:16 – twelve cubits Hag 2:14 – and that

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezr 3:3. They set the altar upon his bases That is, in the place where it anciently stood; for fear was upon them, because of the people of those countries And therefore they made the more haste, lest they should be hindered. Apprehension of dangers should quicken us in our duty. Have we many enemies? We have the more need to have God for our friend, and to keep up our correspondence with him. Some translate the clause, Although fear was upon them; that is, although they were in great fear of their evil neighbours, yet, notwithstanding, they would not desist from restoring the worship of God.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

3:3 And they set the altar upon {c} his bases; for fear [was] upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, [even] burnt offerings morning and evening.

(c) In the place where Solomon had placed it.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes