Ezra 6:16

“And the children of Israel, etc.] Those of the ten tribes that remained after the body of the people were carried captive, or came with the Jews at their return: the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity; those of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin: kept the dedication of this house of God with joy; they set it apart for sacred use and service, with feasting and other expressions of joy and gladness, as follows.”

“FEASTS OF THE DEDICATION. (Ezr 6:16-18) the children of Israel . . . kept the dedication . . . with joy--The ceremonial was gone through with demonstrations of the liveliest joy. The aged who had wept at the laying of the foundation [Ezr 3:12] were most, if not all of them, now dead; and all rejoiced at the completion of this national undertaking.”

“the children: Ch1 9:2; Neh 7:73 children of the captivity: Chal, sons of the transportation, Ezr 4:1 the dedication: Kg1 8:63; Ch2 7:5, Ch2 7:9; Joh 10:22 with joy: Ezr 6:22, Ezr 3:11, Ezr 3:12; Deu 12:7; Ch1 15:28; Ch2 7:10, Ch2 30:23, Ch2 30:26; Neh 8:10, Neh 12:43; Psa 122:1; Phi 4:4; Having set up the worship of God in this dedication, they took care to keep it up, and made the book of Moses their rule, to which they had an eye in this establishment. Though the temple service could not now be performed with so much pomp and plenty as formerly, because of their poverty, yet no doubt it was performed with as much purity and close adherence to the Divine institutions as ever. No beauty is…”