Ezra 3:4
And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The text emphasizes not just that they celebrated the Feast of Booths, but precisely how—following "as it is written" and meticulously observing the daily burnt offerings "by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required." This detail highlights their deep desire to restore God's prescribed worship with exact obedience, even in their humbled state and as they began rebuilding.
The returned exiles have just re-established the altar for burnt offerings in Jerusalem, and now, as the seventh month arrives, they celebrate the Feast of Booths. This feast, a joyous observance recalling God's provision in the wilderness, also marks a fresh start, reminding them of their return from exile and the recommitment to Mosaic Law. They diligently offered the prescribed daily sacrifices according to the ancient instructions, laying the groundwork for worship even as the temple construction is yet to begin.
Imagine returning home after years of hardship, only to find your city in ruins. What's the first thing you do? For the returning Israelites, it wasn't just survival; it was worship.
The people's return from exile was a moment of profound national significance. Yet, the first major act recorded isn't rebuilding walls or homes, but restoring worship.
A Feast of Remembrance and Hope
Ezra 3:4 highlights the Feast of Booths (or Tabernacles). This wasn't just any festival; it commemorated God's faithfulness during their ancestors' 40 years in the wilderness, living in temporary shelters. Now, after their own time of 'wandering' in exile, celebrating this feast was a powerful reminder of God's persistent care and a joyful expression of hope for their future.
Rooted in God's Word
The verse emphasizes that they kept the feast 'as it is written.' This shows a deep commitment to God's commands and traditions, even after a traumatic experience. They didn't improvise; they returned to the established patterns of worship found in the Law.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Ezra 3:4 is available in the Sola app.
The grand feasts are important, but what about the everyday? This verse points to a crucial, often overlooked, aspect of faithful living.
Beyond the significant annual festivals, Ezra 3:4 underscores the dedication to the daily burnt offerings.
Consistency in Sacrifice
The verse states they offered 'the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as each day required.' This wasn't a one-time event or a response to a specific crisis. It was a sustained, disciplined practice.
Divine Ordinance and Provision
The sacrifices were offered 'by number' and 'according to the custom,' referencing specific instructions in the Law (Numbers 29). This highlights that worship wasn't arbitrary; it followed God's prescribed order. The phrase 'as each day required' suggests meticulous attention to detail, ensuring God's instructions were met daily. This sustained offering symbolized continuous atonement and thanksgiving, reflecting a life centered on God's provision and presence.
Understand the original words
chag hassukkoth · Hebrew Noun
Also known as Sukkot, this was a harvest festival celebrating God's provision and a historical reminder of God's protection during the wilderness wanderings.
The return from exile was not an instant restoration of past glory, but a slow, deliberate process. The celebration of the Feast of Booths and the resumption of daily sacrifices, as described in Ezra 3:4, marked a crucial step in re-establishing their covenant relationship with God and rebuilding their community, even before the Temple's final completion.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of many Israelites. This event marked a significant turning point, reducing the territory of God's people and foreshadowing future exiles.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, begins his campaigns against Judah, taking some of the royal family and skilled individuals into exile. This begins the period of Babylonian dominance.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
More Judeans, including prominent citizens and priests like Ezekiel, are exiled to Babylon following further conflict with Nebuchadnezzar.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering the remaining population. This was a devastating blow to Jewish national and religious life.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus the Great overthrows the Babylonian Empire, ushering in a new era for the exiled peoples.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Allows Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the return from exile.
516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
After decades of work and opposition, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed and dedicated. This was a monumental achievement for the returning exiles, though it lacked the grandeur of Solomon's.
This passage details the instructions for the Feast of Tabernacles, showing the ancient command that Ezra and the returning exiles were meticulously following and reinstating after their time away from the Promised Land.
Numbers 29:13-38This chapter specifically outlines the number of sacrifices required for the Feast of Tabernacles, directly connecting to Ezra 3:4's mention of offerings being made 'by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required'.
Nehemiah 8:14-18This passage describes Ezra leading the people in observing the Feast of Tabernacles again, highlighting its importance as a commemorative feast that connected their return from exile to their ancestors' time in the wilderness.
1 Kings 8:65-66This passage recalls how Solomon dedicated the first Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles, drawing a parallel between the joyous dedication of that grand structure and the exiles' re-establishment of worship and celebration after their return.
2 Chronicles 30:1-27This chapter shows King Hezekiah reinstituting the Passover and other feasts with great joy, mirroring the spirit of restoration and obedience seen in Ezra's time when the people re-established their worship practices.
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…
pooleEzra 3:4: "They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;"
The feast of tabernacles seems to be mentioned synecdochically for all the solemnities of this month, whereof this was the most eminent and most lasting. Otherwise it is not probable that they would neglect the day of atonement, which was so severely enjoined, Leviticus 23:27-29 , and was so exceeding suitable to thei…
The text emphasizes not just that they celebrated the Feast of Booths, but precisely how—following "as it is written" and meticulously observing the daily burnt offerings "by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required." This detail highlights their deep desire to restore God's prescribed worship with exact obedience, even in their humbled state and as they began rebuilding.
The returned exiles have just re-established the altar for burnt offerings in Jerusalem, and now, as the seventh month arrives, they celebrate the Feast of Booths. This feast, a joyous observance recalling God's provision in the wilderness, also marks a fresh start, reminding them of their return from exile and the recommitment to Mosaic Law. They diligently offered the prescribed daily sacrifices according to the ancient instructions, laying the groundwork for worship even as the temple construction is yet to begin.
The returned exiles have just re-established the altar for burnt offerings in Jerusalem, and now, as the seventh month arrives, they celebrate the Feast of Booths. This feast, a joyous observance recalling God's provision in the wilderness, also marks a fresh start, reminding them of their return from exile and the recommitment to Mosaic Law. They diligently offered the prescribed daily sacrifices according to the ancient instructions, laying the groundwork for worship even as the temple construction is yet to begin.
"And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required," — The text emphasizes not just that they celebrated the Feast of Booths, but precisely how—following "as it is written" and meticulously observing the daily burnt offerings "by number, according to…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
