Ezra 3:2

“Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, etc.] Who was the high priest, and the proper person to give the lead in the following work: and his brethren the priests; the common priests, very fit to join him, and assist him in it: and Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel; the prince and governor of Judah, whose presence was necessary to give countenance to the work, and animate to it: and his brethren; the princes and heads of the people, particularly those mentioned (<150202>Ezra 2:2) and builded the altar of the God of Israel; the altar of burnt offering, gave orders for the building of it, and directions about it: to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of…”

“Jeshua--the grandson of Seraiah, the high priest, put to death by Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah (Kg2 25:18-21). His father, Josedech, had been carried captive to Babylon, and died there, some time before this. Zerubbabel--was, according to the order of nature, son of Pedaiah (Ch1 3:17-19); but having been brought up by Salathiel, he was called his son. builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon--This was of urgent and immediate necessity, in order, first, to make atonement for their sins; secondly, to obtain the divine blessing on their preparations for the temple, as well as animate their feelings of piety and patriotism for the prosecution of that national work.”

“Jeshua, the high priest, was the son of Jozadak, who was carried into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar 1 Chronicles 6:15. Zerubbabel was really the son of Pedaiah, Shealtiel’s (or Salathiel’s) younger brother. But Shealtiel having no sons, and the royal line being continued in the person of his nephew, Zerubbabel, the latter was accounted Shealtiel’s son. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Altar - Which was of more present necessity than the temple, both to make atonement to God for all their sins, and to obtain God's assistance for the building of the temple, and to strengthen their own hearts and hands in that great work. Ezra 3:3”

“3:2 Jeshua (Hag 1:1; Zech 3:1) was the high priest (Neh 12:1). However, Ezra never used this title (Ezra 2:2; 3:2; 4:3; 5:2), which suggests that the title was given after the Temple was completed (6:15). • Zerubbabel served as the Persian-appointed governor of Judah (Hag 1:1), most likely after the death of Sheshbazzar (see study note on Ezra 1:8). He was the grandson of King Jehoiachin of Judah (1 Chr 3:17).”

“Jeshua: Hag 1:1, Hag 1:12, Hag 1:14, Hag 2:2-4; Zac 3:1, Zac 3:8, Zac 6:11, Joshua the son of Josedech. Zerubbabel: Ezr 2:2; Ch1 3:17, Ch1 3:19; Hag 2:21, Hag 2:23; Zac 4:6-10; Mat 1:12, Mat 1:13; Luk 3:27, Zorobabel, Salathiel as it is written: Exo 20:24, Exo 20:25; Num. 28:3-31; Deu 12:5-7; Ch2 6:6; Psa 78:68; Bp. Patrick observes, that before the temple was built, there seems to have been a tabernacle pitched for Divine service, as was in David's time, not on mount Moriah, but mount Sion, to be used while the temple was building. Let us learn hence 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 immediately have a temple, but…”