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.

And they set {H3559} the altar {H4196} upon his bases {H4350}; for fear {H367} was upon them because of the people {H5971} of those countries {H776}: and they offered {H5927} burnt offerings {H5930} thereon unto the LORD {H3068}, even burnt offerings {H5930} morning {H1242} and evening {H6153}.

They set up the altar on its former bases. Despite feeling threatened by the peoples of the [surrounding] countries; they offered on it burnt offerings to ADONAI, the morning and evening burnt offerings.

They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land.

And they set the altar upon its base; for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the countries: and they offered burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah, even burnt-offerings morning and evening.

Commentary

Ezra 3:3 describes a pivotal moment in the history of the returning Jewish exiles to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. This verse highlights their immediate and courageous action to restore proper worship to the Lord, even amidst significant adversity.

Context

The book of Ezra chronicles the return of the Jewish people from their seventy-year exile in Babylon, initiated by the decree of King Cyrus of Persia. Chapter 3 begins with the first group of returnees, led by Zerubbabel (the governor) and Jeshua (the high priest), gathering in Jerusalem. Their primary and urgent task was to re-establish the spiritual center of their nation. Before even laying the foundations for the new Temple, their first act of devotion was to rebuild the altar for burnt offerings, signifying a recommitment to God's covenant and prescribed worship.

Key Themes

  • Restoration of Worship: The central act in this verse is the setting up of the altar and the resumption of daily burnt offerings. This was a foundational step in the spiritual and national restoration of Israel. It demonstrates the people's priority to re-establish their relationship with God according according to the Mosaic Law, even before the full Temple structure was in place. This act of spiritual renewal was paramount for their identity and future.
  • Faith Amidst Fear: The phrase "for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries" is incredibly significant. The returning exiles were a small, vulnerable group surrounded by hostile local populations who opposed their presence and rebuilding efforts. Despite this very real and palpable fear, it did not deter them from their sacred duty. Instead, their fear appears to have propelled them to seek divine protection and favor through immediate and obedient worship. This illustrates a profound trust in God as their refuge, a principle often echoed in scripture, such as when we put our trust in God when we are afraid.
  • Obedience to God's Ordinances: The meticulous rebuilding of the altar "upon his bases" and the offering of "burnt offerings morning and evening" demonstrates their adherence to the specific commands given in the Torah regarding sacrificial worship. The daily morning and evening sacrifices were a continuous act of atonement and communion prescribed in the Law (Exodus 29:38-42, Numbers 28:3-8). This commitment to God's prescribed rituals was a foundational step for their spiritual and national identity.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "upon his bases" emphasizes that the altar was placed precisely where it historically belonged, indicating a careful, intentional act of restoration rooted in tradition and divine command. The term for "burnt offerings" in Hebrew is 'olah, which literally means "that which goes up." This refers to the smoke ascending to God, symbolizing a complete surrender and dedication of the offering to Him. These daily sacrifices were a crucial element of Old Testament worship, serving as a constant reminder of God's holiness and the need for atonement.

Practical Application

Ezra 3:3 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Prioritizing God: Like the exiles, we are called to prioritize worship and obedience to God, even when facing external pressures or fears. What "altar" do we need to set up or restore in our lives? Is our spiritual foundation solid?
  • Worship in Adversity: This verse teaches that fear can be a catalyst for deeper devotion, not a deterrent. When facing challenges, our first response should be to seek God's presence and protection through prayer and worship. This aligns with the biblical principle of casting our anxieties on God through prayer and supplication.
  • Foundational Steps: The act of rebuilding the altar before the entire Temple highlights the importance of spiritual foundations. Before embarking on grand projects or facing major life changes, ensuring our basic relationship with God and adherence to His Word is paramount.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 28:2

    Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, [and] my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, [for] a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season.

  • Numbers 28:8

    And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer [it], a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD.

  • Ezra 4:4

    Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,

  • Exodus 29:38

    ¶ Now this [is that] which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.

  • Exodus 29:42

    [This shall be] a continual burnt offering throughout your generations [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.

  • 2 Chronicles 4:1

    ¶ Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.

  • Ezra 4:11

    This [is] the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, [even] unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time.
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