Looking for Ezra

[JLG]

Ezra 3:1

By the seventh
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י (haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number)

month,
הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ (ha·ḥō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

the Israelites
וּבְנֵ֥י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

had settled
וַיִּגַּע֙ (way·yig·ga‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike

in their towns,
בֶּעָרִ֑ים (be·‘ā·rîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

and the people
הָעָ֛ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

assembled
וַיֵּאָסְפ֥וּ (way·yê·’ā·sə·p̄ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 622: To gather for, any purpose, to receive, take away, remove

as one
אֶחָ֖ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

man
כְּאִ֥ישׁ (kə·’îš)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

in
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

• Seven months have passed!
• The Israelites have settled in their towns!
• The people assemble as one man in Jerusalem!
• Here we are given only a few details!
• Let’s see what’s next!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:2

Then Jeshua
יֵשׁ֨וּעַ (yê·šū·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3442: Jeshua

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jozadak
יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק (yō·w·ṣā·ḏāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3136: Jotsadak

and his fellow
וְאֶחָ֣יו (wə·’e·ḥāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

priests,
הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

along with Zerubbabel
וּזְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל (ū·zə·rub·bā·ḇel)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2216: Zerubbabel -- 'begotten in Babylon', a leader of returning Israelite exiles

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Shealtiel
שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙ (šə·’al·tî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7597: Shealtiel -- 'I have asked of God', an Israelite name

and his associates,
וְאֶחָ֔יו (wə·’e·ḥāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

began
וַיָּקָם֩ (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

to build
וַיִּבְנ֕וּ (way·yiḇ·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

the altar
מִזְבַּ֖ח (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

of the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

to sacrifice
לְהַעֲל֤וֹת (lə·ha·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

burnt offerings
עֹל֔וֹת (‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

on it,
עָלָיו֙ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

as it is written
כַּכָּת֕וּב (kak·kā·ṯūḇ)
Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

in the law
בְּתוֹרַ֖ת (bə·ṯō·w·raṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of Moses,
מֹשֶׁ֥ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

the man
אִישׁ־ (’îš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of God.
הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

• After 7 months in Jerusalem, they start building Yah.weh’s altar to make sacrifices to Yah.weh!
• According to the Law of Moses!
• And it is spoken of Moses as the man of God!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:3

They set up
וַיָּכִ֤ינוּ (way·yā·ḵî·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3559: To be erect

the altar
הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

its foundation
מְכ֣וֹנֹתָ֔יו (mə·ḵō·w·nō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4350: A fixed resting place, base

and sacrificed
וַיַּעֲל֨וּ‪‬ (way·ya·‘ă·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

burnt offerings
עֹלוֹת֙ (‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

upon it
עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

to the LORD—
לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

[both] the morning
לַבֹּ֥קֶר (lab·bō·qer)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

and evening
וְלָעָֽרֶב׃ (wə·lā·‘ā·reḇ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

burnt offerings—
עֹל֖וֹת (‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

even though
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they feared
בְּאֵימָ֣ה (bə·’ê·māh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 367: Fright, an idol

the people
מֵעַמֵּ֖י (mê·‘am·mê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of the land.
הָאֲרָצ֑וֹת (hā·’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 776: Earth, land

• So the exiles back offer sacrifices both morning and evening!
• And they fear the people of the land!
• They need Yah.weh’s approval!
• And the wall of Jerusalem will need time to be rebuilt!

https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/rebuilding-your-walls-with-wisdom/

In the ancient Near East, a city without gates and walls was slim pickings for anyone who would seek to sack it. Similarly, a home without walls is easy prey for unsuspecting thieves. And a life created to glorify God without protection from the enemy will be open to the enemy’s attacks.
The book of Nehemiah is a historical account of how Nehemiah lead people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Twenty years after King Solomon built the 1st Temple, he died in 931B.C. Israel’s twelve tribes split into two kingdoms: The northern kingdom, which was made up of 10 tribes, took on the name of Israel. And the southern kingdom, which was made up of two tribes, took on the name of Judah. Both kingdoms had a history of disobedience and idolatry, and God’s judgment fell on them. In 722 B.C., Assyria conquered the northern kingdom, then in 605 B.C. the southern kingdom was conquered by the Babylonians, and Solomon’s Temple was destroyed.

The Persian Empire rose to power, and they overthrew the Babylonians as the world superpower. The Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem by the end of the 5th B.C. century. Then the second Temple was built in Jerusalem, but the walls of the city were compromised, and the city was vulnerable and open to attack. And this is the point in history where we find Nehemiah.

The book of Nehemiah begins with Nehemiah serving Artaxerxes, King of Persia, as his cupbearer. In the middle of the 4th century, B.C. Nehemiah learned the Jews that had returned from the Babylonian exile and were living in the city of Jerusalem with walls that were broken. After learning of his people in need, Nehemiah did two things. He prayed with fasting, and he trusted God. This was his prayer: “Remember the word that you commanded your servant, Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.” Nehemiah 1:8-9. He prayed for four months. Nehemiah was petitioning God to do what was done for Israel in Egypt and gather his people to a place. After praying and fasting for four months, he approached King Artaxerxes and asked to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. The King granted his request.

When Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem, he toured the city walls to assess the damage. He faced tremendous opposition as he made plans and directed the people in rebuilding the city walls. He was mocked and threatened as he persisted. Nehemiah had opposition from legitimate enemies and opposition from the people he was leading. The people were at times discouraged and almost hopeless, but Nehemiah persisted. The Bible says that the threat was so great from outside the city he posted armed guards along the walls to protect the city until the building was done. Men were armed and ready to fight while they worked daily to build the wall.

These evil men that opposed Nehemiah even tried to get him killed by luring him into an ambush. And when that didn’t work, they tried to get him to enter the Temple unlawfully, which meant that he would succumb to God’s punishment.

It took Nehemiah 52 days to reinforce the gaps and rebuild the wall. He gathered his people together, he equipped them, and he led them in rebuilding the city walls of Jerusalem. After the wall was built, Nehemiah ensured that the people were read God’s Law, and they understood it. He wanted them to know what standards he and they would live by.

In summary, Nehemiah served King Artaxerxes loyally as cupbearer and learned about the Jew’s dire situation in Jerusalem. Nehemiah prayed and fasted to God for four months before petitioning the King to return to his home and reinforce Jerusalem’s city walls. Upon arrival into the city, he assessed the damage and got to work. In spite of opposition, he led his people in rebuilding the wall and succeeded.

Does any of this strike a chord in your life? Have the walls of protection and preservation around your home been compromised? Have they been destroyed by outside opposition? Or maybe, just maybe, you were the one that tore the walls down? Have you grown accustomed to living a life unprotected from the enemy? If so, what are you going to do about it?

Once Nehemiah learned how vulnerable Jerusalem was, the Bible says that his first course of action was to pray. He prayed and fasted for four months. He was given the strength and courage to petition the King and was granted his request to rebuild the wall.

As men and women of God, we can pray in the midst of our trials and circumstances. We can petition God for wisdom and understanding. James puts it like this, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:2-5 ESV. God gave hope and strength to Nehemiah to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem and reestablish his people. Nehemiah saw a problem, and God gave him a solution. But Nehemiah didn’t do it without opposition.

• As far as we can see, both the book of Ezra and the book of Nehemiah are interconnected!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:4

They also celebrated
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֛וּ (way·ya·‘ă·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

the Feast
חַ֥ג (ḥaḡ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2282: A festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast

of Tabernacles,
הַסֻּכּ֖וֹת (has·suk·kō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5521: A thicket, booth

as [it is] written,
כַּכָּת֑וּב (kak·kā·ṯūḇ)
Preposition-k, Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

and offered burnt offerings
וְעֹלַ֨ת (wə·‘ō·laṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

daily,
י֤וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

based on the number
בְּמִסְפָּ֔ר (bə·mis·pār)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

prescribed
כְּמִשְׁפַּ֖ט (kə·miš·paṭ)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

for each day.
י֥וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

• There we can see an attempt to recover their biblical traditions!
• When everything is corrupt, it is hard to learn again the right way!
• It is necessary to learn everything!
• It is necessary to follow Yah.weh’s word and not man’s tradition!
• That’s why it is better to look for Yah.weh’s word at first and keep it !
• Nature always tries to look for the easiest way!
• But that’s not Yah.weh’s way!
• That’s why it is difficult for men to follow it!
• But at the same time when you are used to following Yah.weh’s way, it is logical and natural!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:5

After that,
וְאַחֲרֵיכֵ֞ן (wə·’a·ḥă·rê·ḵên)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

they presented the regular
תָּמִיד֙ (tā·mîḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 8548: Continuance, constant, ellipt, the regular, sacrifice

burnt offerings
עֹלַ֤ת (‘ō·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

and [those] for New Moons
וְלֶ֣חֳדָשִׁ֔ים (wə·le·ḥo·ḏā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

and for all
וּלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the appointed
מוֹעֲדֵ֥י (mō·w·‘ă·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4150: Appointed time, place, or meeting

sacred feasts
הַמְקֻדָּשִׁ֑ים (ham·qud·dā·šîm)
Article | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

as well as all
וּלְכֹ֛ל (ū·lə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the freewill offerings
נְדָבָ֖ה (nə·ḏā·ḇāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5071: Spontaneity, spontaneous, a spontaneous, abundant gift

brought
מִתְנַדֵּ֥ב (miṯ·nad·dêḇ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5068: To impel, to volunteer, to present spontaneously

to the LORD.
לַיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


- Easy to understand!
- They have been condemned for continuously opposing Yah.weh!
- Now they try to show respect!
- And at the same time Yah.weh’s help!
- It would have been more intelligent to show respect at first and receive Yah.weh’s help at the same time!
- Then it becomes second nature!
- Then it is natural!
- Then they are going to be continuously condemned!
- Then you look for destruction!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:6

On the first
אֶחָד֙ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

day
מִיּ֤וֹם (mî·yō·wm)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

of the seventh
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י (haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number)

month,
לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ (la·ḥō·ḏeš)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

[the Israelites] began
הֵחֵ֕לּוּ (hê·ḥêl·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

to offer
לְהַעֲל֥וֹת (lə·ha·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

burnt offerings
עֹל֖וֹת (‘ō·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

to the LORD,
לַיהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

{although the foundation} of the temple
וְהֵיכַ֥ל (wə·hê·ḵal)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

of the LORD
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

had not been laid.
יֻסָּֽד׃ (yus·sāḏ)
Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3245: To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult

• This verse is a repetition of the preceding verse!
• The Israelites try to do their best to attract Yah.weh’s attention!
• By making offerings!
• Everything has to be done!
• Everyone is against them!
• They start from scratch!
• But it won’t last!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:7

They gave
וַיִּ֨תְּנוּ־ (way·yit·tə·nū-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

money
כֶ֔סֶף (ḵe·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

to the masons
לַחֹצְבִ֖ים (la·ḥō·ṣə·ḇîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2672: To cut, carve, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

and carpenters,
וְלֶחָרָשִׁ֑ים (wə·le·ḥā·rā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2796: A fabricator, any material

and food
וּמַאֲכָ֨ל (ū·ma·’ă·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3978: An eatable

and drink
וּמִשְׁתֶּ֜ה (ū·miš·teh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4960: Drink, drinking, a banquet, feast

and oil
וָשֶׁ֗מֶן (wā·še·men)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness

to the people of Sidon
לַצִּֽדֹנִים֙ (laṣ·ṣi·ḏō·nîm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6722: Sidonians -- an inhabitant of Sidon

and Tyre
וְלַצֹּרִ֔ים (wə·laṣ·ṣō·rîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6876: Tyrians -- inhabitants of Tyre

to bring
לְהָבִיא֩ (lə·hā·ḇî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

cedar
אֲרָזִ֤ים (’ă·rā·zîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 730: A cedar tree

logs
עֲצֵ֨י (‘ă·ṣê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

Lebanon
הַלְּבָנוֹן֙ (hal·lə·ḇā·nō·wn)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3844: Lebanon -- a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Joppa
יָפ֔וֹא (yā·p̄ō·w)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3305: Joppa -- a seaport city of Palestine

by sea,
יָ֣ם (yām)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

as authorized
כְּרִשְׁי֛וֹן (kə·riš·yō·wn)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7558: Permission

by King
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

Cyrus
כּ֥וֹרֶשׁ (kō·w·reš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3566: Cyrus -- a person king

of Persia.
פָּרַ֖ס (pā·ras)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

• So everything is organized to build Yah.weh’s house!
• They put Yah.weh first!
• But they used to put him last!
• A new start!
• But it’s not natural!
• It’s necessary to learn how to do it!
• And keep it!
• It should be a lesson for us!
• Yah.weh must be first!
• Otherwise the door will be closed!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:8

In the second
הַשֵּׁנִ֗ית (haš·šê·nîṯ)
Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

month
בַּחֹ֖דֶשׁ (ba·ḥō·ḏeš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month

of the second
הַשֵּׁנִ֑י (haš·šê·nî)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

year
וּבַשָּׁנָ֣ה (ū·ḇaš·šā·nāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8141: A year

after they had arrived
לְבוֹאָ֞ם (lə·ḇō·w·’ām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the house
בֵּ֤ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God
הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

in Jerusalem,
לִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם (lî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

Zerubbabel
זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל (zə·rub·bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2216: Zerubbabel -- 'begotten in Babylon', a leader of returning Israelite exiles

son
בֶּן־ (be·nōš-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Shealtiel,
שְׁ֠אַלְתִּיאֵל (’al·tî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7597: Shealtiel -- 'I have asked of God', an Israelite name

Jeshua
וְיֵשׁ֨וּעַ (wə·yê·šū·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3442: Jeshua

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jozadak,
יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק (yō·w·ṣā·ḏāq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3136: Jotsadak

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֥ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7605: Rest, residue, remnant

of their associates
אֲחֵיהֶ֣ם ׀ (’ă·ḥê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

including the priests,
הַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

the Levites,
וְהַלְוִיִּ֗ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who had returned
הַבָּאִים֙ (hab·bā·’îm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to Jerusalem
יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

from the captivity,
מֵהַשְּׁבִ֣י (mê·haš·šə·ḇî)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7628: Exiled, captured, exile, booty

began [the work].
הֵחֵ֡לּוּ (hê·ḥêl·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 2490: To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play

They appointed
וַיַּעֲמִ֣ידוּ (way·ya·‘ă·mî·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

Levites
הַלְוִיִּ֗ם (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

twenty
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים (‘eś·rîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth

years of age
מִבֶּ֨ן (mib·ben)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

or older
וָמַ֔עְלָה (wā·ma‘·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

to supervise
לְנַצֵּ֖חַ (lə·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

the construction
מְלֶ֥אכֶת (mə·le·ḵeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

of the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

• In the second month of the second year!
• Quite a long time to wait!
• They begin to work!
• Levites are appointed to supervise the construction of the house of Yah.weh!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:9

Jeshua
יֵשׁ֡וּעַ (yê·šū·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3442: Jeshua

and his sons
בָּנָ֣יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and brothers
וְ֠אֶחָיו (wə·’e·ḥāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

joined
וַיַּעֲמֹ֣ד (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

together
כְּאֶחָ֔ד (kə·’e·ḥāḏ)
Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

with Kadmiel
קַדְמִיאֵ֨ל (qaḏ·mî·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6934: Kadmiel -- 'God is the ancient one', a Levite name

and his sons,
וּבָנָ֤יו (ū·ḇā·nāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

the descendants
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Yehudah,
יְהוּדָה֙ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

[and with] the sons
בְּנֵי֙ (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Henadad
חֵֽנָדָ֔ד (ḥê·nā·ḏāḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2582: Henadad -- a Levite

and their sons
בְּנֵיהֶ֥ם (bə·nê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

and brothers—
וַאֲחֵיהֶ֖ם (wa·’ă·ḥê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

all Levites—
הַלְוִיִּֽם׃ (hal·wî·yim)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

to supervise
לְנַצֵּ֛חַ (lə·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

those working
עֹשֵׂ֥ה (‘ō·śêh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

on the house
בְּבֵ֣ית (bə·ḇêṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God.
הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

• We are told about Levites!
• Sons and brothers!
• Who supervise the building of the house of Yah.weh!
• Everything is under control!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:10

When the builders
הַבֹּנִ֖ים (hab·bō·nîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

had laid the foundation
וְיִסְּד֥וּ (wə·yis·sə·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3245: To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult

of the temple
הֵיכַ֣ל (hê·ḵal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the priests
הַכֹּהֲנִ֨ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

in their apparel
מְלֻבָּשִׁ֜ים (mə·lub·bā·šîm)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

with trumpets,
בַּחֲצֹֽצְר֗וֹת (ba·ḥă·ṣō·ṣə·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 2689: (an ancient) trumpet

and the Levites
וְהַלְוִיִּ֤ם (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

(the sons
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Asaph)
אָסָף֙ (’ā·sāp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 623: Asaph -- 'gatherer', the name of several Israelites

with cymbals,
בַּֽמְצִלְתַּ֔יִם (bam·ṣil·ta·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - cd
Strong's 4700: Double tinklers, cymbals

took their positions
וַיַּעֲמִידוּ֩ (way·ya·‘ă·mî·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

to praise
לְהַלֵּל֙ (lə·hal·lêl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1984: To shine

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

as
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

King
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

David
דָּוִ֥יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

had prescribed.
יְדֵ֖י (yə·ḏê)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 3027: A hand

• First they lay the foundations of the temple!
• Then they praise Yah.weh!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:11

And they sang responsively
וַֽ֠יַּעֲנוּ (way·ya·‘ă·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

with praise
בְּהַלֵּ֨ל (bə·hal·lêl)
Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1984: To shine

and thanksgiving
וּבְהוֹדֹ֤ת (ū·ḇə·hō·w·ḏōṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

to the LORD:
לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

“For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He is good;
ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

His loving devotion
חַסְדּ֖וֹ (ḥas·dōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

upon
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

endures forever.”
לְעוֹלָ֥ם (lə·‘ō·w·lām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5769: Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always

Then all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the people
הָעָ֡ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

gave a great
גְדוֹלָ֤ה (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

shout
הֵרִיעוּ֩ (hê·rî·‘ū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7321: To mar, to split the ears, shout

of praise
בְהַלֵּל֙ (ḇə·hal·lêl)
Preposition-b | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1984: To shine

to the LORD,
לַֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

because {the foundation}
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

of the house
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had been laid.
הוּסַ֥ד (hū·saḏ)
Verb - Hofal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3245: To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult

• They sing with praise and thanksgiving to Yah.weh!
• Then the people give a shout of praise to Yah.weh!
• For the foundation of Yah.weh’s house!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:12

But many
וְרַבִּ֡ים (wə·rab·bîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

of the older
הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים (haz·zə·qê·nîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 2205: Old

priests,
מֵהַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים (mê·hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

Levites,
וְהַלְוִיִּם֩ (wə·hal·wî·yim)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi

and family
הָאָב֜וֹת (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

heads
וְרָאשֵׁ֨י (wə·rā·šê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218: The head

who
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had seen
רָא֜וּ (rā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7200: To see

the first
הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ (hā·ri·šō·wn)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank

temple
הַבַּ֤יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

wept
בֹּכִ֖ים (bō·ḵîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

loudly
בְּק֣וֹל (bə·qō·wl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

when they saw
בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם (bə·‘ê·nê·hem)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

the foundation
בְּיָסְד֔וֹ (bə·yā·sə·ḏōw)
Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3245: To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult

of this
זֶ֤ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

temple.
הַבַּ֙יִת֙ (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

Still, many
וְרַבִּ֛ים (wə·rab·bîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

others shouted
בִּתְרוּעָ֥ה (biṯ·rū·‘āh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8643: Clamor, acclamation of joy, a battle-cry, clangor, of trumpets, as an alarum

joyfully.
קֽוֹל׃ (qō·wl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

• The older people weep when they see the foundation of the new temple!
• It is nothing compared to the original one!
• They have lost so much because of their spiritual prostitution!
• And they will start doing the same!
• What a shame!
• They showed the way to mankind!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 3:13

The people
הָעָ֗ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

could not
וְאֵ֣ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

distinguish
מַכִּירִים֙ (mak·kî·rîm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize

the shouts
תְּרוּעַ֣ת (tə·rū·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8643: Clamor, acclamation of joy, a battle-cry, clangor, of trumpets, as an alarum

of joy
הַשִּׂמְחָ֔ה (haś·śim·ḥāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8057: Blithesomeness, glee

from the sound
לְק֖וֹל (lə·qō·wl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

of weeping,
בְּכִ֣י (bə·ḵî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1065: A weeping, a dripping

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the people
הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

were making so much noise.
מְרִיעִים֙ (mə·rî·‘îm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7321: To mar, to split the ears, shout

And the sound
וְהַקּ֥וֹל (wə·haq·qō·wl)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

was heard
נִשְׁמַ֖ע (niš·ma‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

from
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

afar.
לְמֵרָחֽוֹק׃ (lə·mê·rā·ḥō·wq)
Preposition-l, Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7350: Remote, of place, time, precious

• The people are making a lot of noise!
• A mixture of joy and weeping!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:1

When the enemies
צָרֵ֥י (ṣā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and Benjamin
וּבִנְיָמִ֑ן (ū·ḇin·yā·min)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

heard
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֔וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the exiles
בְנֵ֤י (ḇə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

were building
בּוֹנִ֣ים (bō·w·nîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

a temple
הֵיכָ֔ל (hê·ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

for the LORD,
לַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

• We are told about the enemies of Judah and Benjamin hearing about the building of Yah.weh’s temple!
• We can imagine they are going to do anything against it!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:2

they approached
וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ (way·yig·gə·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach

Zerubbabel
זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל (zə·rub·bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2216: Zerubbabel -- 'begotten in Babylon', a leader of returning Israelite exiles

and the heads
רָאשֵׁ֣י (rā·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of the families,
הָֽאָב֗וֹת (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

saying,
וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let us build
נִבְנֶ֣ה (niḇ·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 1129: To build

with you
עִמָּכֶ֔ם (‘im·mā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

because,
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

like you,
כָכֶ֔ם (ḵā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

we seek
נִדְר֖וֹשׁ (niḏ·rō·wōš)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

your God
לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם (lê·lō·hê·ḵem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and have been sacrificing
זֹבְחִ֗ים (zō·ḇə·ḥîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

to Him since
וְל֣וֹ ׀ (wə·lōw)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3808: Not, no

the time
מִימֵי֙ (mî·mê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of
אֵסַ֤ר (’ê·sar)
0
Strong's Hebrew

King
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

Esar-haddon
חַדֹּן֙ (ḥad·dōn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 634: Esarhaddon -- 'Ashur has given a brother', an Assyrian king

of Assyria,
אַשּׁ֔וּר (’aš·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 804: Ashshur

who brought
הַמַּעֲלֶ֥ה (ham·ma·‘ă·leh)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

us
אֹתָ֖נוּ (’ō·ṯā·nū)
Direct object marker | first person common plural
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

here.�
פֹּֽה׃ (pōh)
Adverb
Strong's 6311: This place, here

• Their enemies say they want to help build Yah.weh’s temple!
• For what purpose?

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:3

But Zerubbabel,
זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל (zə·rub·bā·ḇel)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2216: Zerubbabel -- 'begotten in Babylon', a leader of returning Israelite exiles

Jeshua,
וְיֵשׁ֗וּעַ (wə·yê·šū·a‘)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3442: Jeshua

and the other
וּשְׁאָ֨ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7605: Rest, residue, remnant

heads
רָאשֵׁ֤י (rā·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of the families
הָֽאָבוֹת֙ (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

of Israel
לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (lə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

replied,
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“You have no
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

part with us
לָ֣כֶם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

in building
לִבְנ֥וֹת (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

a house
בַּ֖יִת (ba·yiṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

for our God,
לֵאלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (lê·lō·hê·nū)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

since
כִּי֩ (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we
אֲנַ֨חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

alone
יַ֜חַד (ya·ḥaḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

must build
נִבְנֶ֗ה (niḇ·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1129: To build

it for the LORD,
לַֽיהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Cyrus
כּ֥וֹרֶשׁ (kō·w·reš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3566: Cyrus -- a person king

the king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Persia
פָּרָֽס׃ (pā·rās)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

has commanded us.�
צִוָּ֔נוּ (ṣiw·wā·nū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

• The heads of the families of Israel answer that it is up to them to build Yah.weh’s house and nobody else according to Cyrus the king of Persia!
• Thus they take their responsibilities!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:4

Then
וַיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the people
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of the land
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

set out to discourage
מְרַפִּ֖ים (mə·rap·pîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

the people
עַם־ (‘am-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֑ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and make them afraid
וּֽמְבַהֲלִ֥ים (ū·mə·ḇa·hă·lîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1086: To fail, to wear out, decay

to build.
לִבְנֽוֹת׃ (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

• Their enemies try to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid!
• They don’t want them to come back!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:5

They hired
וְסֹכְרִ֧ים (wə·sō·ḵə·rîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7936: To hire

counselors
יוֹעֲצִ֖ים (yō·w·‘ă·ṣîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

against them
עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

to frustrate
לְהָפֵ֣ר (lə·hā·p̄êr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate

their plans
עֲצָתָ֑ם (‘ă·ṣā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

throughout
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the reign
יְמֵ֗י (yə·mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of Cyrus
כּ֚וֹרֶשׁ (kō·w·reš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3566: Cyrus -- a person king

king
מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Persia
פָּרַ֔ס (pā·ras)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

and down to
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the reign
מַלְכ֖וּת (mal·ḵūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

of Darius
דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ (dā·rə·yā·weš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1867: Darius -- the name of several person kings

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Persia.
פָּרָֽס׃ (pā·rās)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

• Their enemies hire counselors against them to influence the decisions of the kings of persia!
• So what we see today is nothing new!
• We can call it corruption!
• Or legal corruption!
• Or tolerated corruption!
• In a word: CORRUPTION!
• That’s the oldest way of man!
• Since the creation of man!
• Since Adam and Eve decided to oppose Yah.weh!
• There can only be a bad end for mankind!
• Time is coming to cleanse mankind!
• Time is coming for Yah.weh’s kingdom!
• Then man’s corruption will come to an end!
• With no room for those who only think about corruption!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:6

At the beginning
בִּתְחִלַּ֖ת (biṯ·ḥil·laṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8462: A commencement, rel, original

of the reign
וּבְמַלְכוּת֙ (ū·ḇə·mal·ḵūṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4438: Royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom

of Xerxes,
אֲחַשְׁוֵר֔וֹשׁ (’ă·ḥaš·wê·rō·wōš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 325: Ahasuerus -- king of Persia

an accusation
שִׂטְנָ֔ה (śiṭ·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7855: Opposition

was lodged
כָּתְב֣וּ (kā·ṯə·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the people
יֹשְׁבֵ֥י (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of Judah
יְהוּדָ֖ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and Jerusalem.
וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (wî·rū·šā·lim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

• Their enemies are ready to do anything to oppose the people of Judah!
• Thus they accuse them!

 

[JLG]

Ezra 4:7

And in the days
וּבִימֵ֣י (ū·ḇî·mê)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of Artaxerxes king
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֗שְׂתָּא (’ar·taḥ·šaś·tā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

of Persia,
פָּרָ֑ס (pā·rās)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

Bishlam,
בִּשְׁלָ֜ם (biš·lām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1312: Bishlam -- perhaps 'son of peace', a Pers

Mithredath,
מִתְרְדָ֤ת (miṯ·rə·ḏāṯ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4990: Mithredath -- two Persians

Tabeel,
טָֽבְאֵל֙ (ṭā·ḇə·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2870: Tabeal -- 'good for nothing', an Aramean (Syrian)

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֣ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7605: Rest, residue, remnant

of
כנותו (kə·nā·wō·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

his associates
כְּנָוֺתָ֔יו (kə·nā·wō·ṯāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3674: Associate, colleague

wrote [a letter]
כָּתַ֨ב (kā·ṯaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

to
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Artaxerxes.
אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֖שְׂתְּ (’ar·taḥ·šaśt)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia

[It]
הַֽנִּשְׁתְּוָ֔ן (han·niš·tə·wān)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5406: An epistle

was written
כָּת֥וּב (kā·ṯūḇ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

in Aramaic
אֲרָמִ֖ית (’ă·rā·mîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 762: The language of Aram (Syria)

and translated [for the king].
וּמְתֻרְגָּ֥ם (ū·mə·ṯur·gām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8638: To interpret, translate

The Aramaic script [read as follows]:
אֲרָמִֽית׃ (’ă·rā·mîṯ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 762: The language of Aram (Syria)

• A letter is sent to Artaxerxes the king of persia!
• From opponents to the Jews!