Notice that Jeshua the priest is mentioned first, then Zerubbabel the leader. This subtle order highlights that their very first act upon returning to God's land wasn't politics or rebuilding, but a spiritual foundation—re-establishing worship through the altar, as commanded by God's Law. This was the urgent necessity before any temple could even be conceived.
Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The returned exiles have just arrived back in Jerusalem after decades in Babylon. Before even thinking about rebuilding the glorious Temple they lost, the leaders, including the High Priest Jeshua and Zerubbabel, immediately prioritize re-establishing their covenant relationship with God by building an altar. This act of worship and sacrifice, following God's ancient instructions, is the foundational step before they can even begin the larger work of rebuilding the Temple.
They were back home after decades in exile, and the temple lay in ruins. What was the very first thing they rebuilt?
Imagine returning to a devastated homeland. The temple, the very heart of Israel's worship, was gone. Yet, the first structure these returned exiles erected wasn't the grand temple itself, but the altar.
Why the Altar First?
Who stepped up when it was time to get to work? It wasn't just one person, but a powerful duo leading the charge.
This verse highlights two key leaders: Jeshua the son of Jozadak and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel. They represent the two crucial pillars of Israel's restored community:
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Spiritual and Civil Authority
Together, these two figures demonstrate that rebuilding a community, especially after trauma and displacement, requires both spiritual direction and practical, governmental leadership working in tandem. They 'stood up' and acted, showing initiative and obedience.
They didn't just guess what to do; they were following a specific blueprint. What guided their actions?
The verse explicitly states that they built the altar 'as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.' This wasn't a new initiative or a personal preference; it was a direct act of obedience to God's established commands.
The Authority of Scripture
Understand the original words
mizbeach · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew term for altar literally means a "place of slaughter," denoting the site where animal sacrifices were offered to God as a means of atonement, worship, and fellowship.
olah · Hebrew Noun
Sacrificial offerings completely consumed by fire, representing the total dedication and surrender of the worshiper to God, as well as the necessity of atonement for sin.
torah · Hebrew Noun
The divine instruction given by God to Israel through Moses, serving as the authoritative standard for worship, morality, and civil life.
The rebuilding of the altar immediately upon returning from exile highlights its critical importance. It represented not just a place for sacrifices, but the immediate restoration of covenant relationship with God and the necessary foundation for rebuilding their community and the Temple.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar deports thousands of Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Nebuchadnezzar's forces conquer Jerusalem, destroy the city and the First Temple, and deport the remaining population, ending Judah as an independent kingdom.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrows the Neo-Babylonian Empire, ushering in a new era for the region and its diverse populations.
538 BC
Cyrus's Decree for Jewish Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. This marks the beginning of the return.
c. 537-536 BC— this verse
First Return of Exiles
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel (a descendant of David) and Jeshua the high priest, a significant group of Jewish exiles returns to Jerusalem.
c. 535 BC
Altar Rebuilt and Worship Restored
Upon their arrival and settlement in Jerusalem, Jeshua, Zerubbabel, and the people immediately focus on rebuilding the altar and restoring daily sacrifices as a foundation for their community and future Temple.
This passage lays out the foundational command for building an altar to God, emphasizing that it should be made of natural materials and dedicated solely to Him, setting the precedent that Jeshua and Zerubbabel followed.
Leviticus 1:1-9Here we see the detailed instructions for burnt offerings, highlighting the specific purpose and procedure for sacrifices, which Jeshua and his priests were now re-establishing according to the Law.
Deuteronomy 12:5-14This passage stresses the importance of worshipping God at the central sanctuary He would choose, underscoring why the rebuilding of the altar was a critical step for the unified worship of the returned exiles.
Joshua 1:1-2This verse introduces Joshua, who like Jeshua in Ezra, led God's people into a promised land and was tasked with obedience to the Law of Moses, drawing a parallel between these two pivotal leaders.
Nehemiah 8:1-3This passage shows the people gathering for public worship and instruction, where the Law of Moses was read aloud, demonstrating the enduring significance of the Mosaic Law that Jeshua and Zerubbabel were now actively restoring through their actions.
clarkeEzra 3:2: "Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God."
Jeshua the son of Jozadak - He was grandson of Seraiah the high priest, who was put to death by Nebuchadnezzar, 2 Kings 25:18 , 2 Kings 25:21 . This Jeshua or Joshua was the first high priest after the captivity.
henryEzra 3:1-7: "And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem."
3:1-7 From the proceedings of the Jews on their arrival, let us learn to begin with God, and to do what we can in the worship of God, when we cannot do what we would. They could not at once have a temple, but they would not be without an altar. Fear of danger should stir us to our duty. Have we many enemies? Then it is good to have Go…
Notice that Jeshua the priest is mentioned first, then Zerubbabel the leader. This subtle order highlights that their very first act upon returning to God's land wasn't politics or rebuilding, but a spiritual foundation—re-establishing worship through the altar, as commanded by God's Law. This was the urgent necessity before any temple could even be conceived.
The returned exiles have just arrived back in Jerusalem after decades in Babylon. Before even thinking about rebuilding the glorious Temple they lost, the leaders, including the High Priest Jeshua and Zerubbabel, immediately prioritize re-establishing their covenant relationship with God by building an altar. This act of worship and sacrifice, following God's ancient instructions, is the foundational step before they can even begin the larger work of rebuilding the Temple.
The returned exiles have just arrived back in Jerusalem after decades in Babylon. Before even thinking about rebuilding the glorious Temple they lost, the leaders, including the High Priest Jeshua and Zerubbabel, immediately prioritize re-establishing their covenant relationship with God by building an altar. This act of worship and sacrifice, following God's ancient instructions, is the foundational step before they can even begin the larger work of rebuilding the Temple.
"Then arose Jeshua the son of Jozadak, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the ma…" — Notice that Jeshua the priest is mentioned first, then Zerubbabel the leader. This subtle order highlights that their very first act upon returning to God's land wasn't politics or rebuilding, but a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
