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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezra 3:12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple. 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The others, however, were shouting for joy. <a href="/esv/ezra/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, <a href="/bsb/ezra/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple. Still, many others shouted joyfully. <a href="/kjv/ezra/3.htm">King James Bible</a> But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: <a href="/nkjv/ezra/3.htm">New King James Version</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy, <a href="/nasb_/ezra/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, <a href="/nasb/ezra/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers&#8217 households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, <a href="/nasb77/ezra/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy; <a href="/lsb/ezra/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first house of Yahweh, were weeping with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many in loud shouts with gladness were raising their voice, <a href="/amp/ezra/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first house (temple), wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, <a href="/csb/ezra/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads, who had seen the first temple, wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple, but many others shouted joyfully. <a href="/hcsb/ezra/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But many of the older priests, Levites, and family leaders, who had seen the first temple, wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this house, but many others shouted joyfully. <a href="/asv/ezra/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, the old men that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: <a href="/cev/ezra/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Many of the older priests and Levites and the heads of families wept bitterly because they remembered seeing the first temple years before. But others were so happy that they celebrated with joyful shouts. <a href="/erv/ezra/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, the old men that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: <a href="/gwt/ezra/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But many of the priests, Levites, and the heads of the families who were old enough to have seen the first temple with their own eyes began to sob when they saw the foundation of this temple. Many others shouted for joy. <a href="/gnt/ezra/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> Many of the older priests, Levites, and heads of clans had seen the first Temple, and as they watched the foundation of this Temple being laid, they cried and wailed. But the others who were there shouted for joy. <a href="/isv/ezra/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Now a number of the priests, the Levities, and the leading officials of the elders—who were very elderly—had seen the former Temple with their own eyes. When they observed the foundation of the Temple being laid, they wept with a loud voice, while the rest of them shouted for joy. <a href="/msb/ezra/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple. Still, many others shouted joyfully. <a href="/net/ezra/3.htm">NET Bible</a> Many of the priests, the Levites, and the leaders--older people who had seen with their own eyes the former temple while it was still established--were weeping loudly, and many others raised their voice in a joyous shout. <a href="/nheb/ezra/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of ancestral houses, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. Many also shouted aloud for joy, <a href="/wbt/ezra/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, old men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: <a href="/web/ezra/3.htm">World English Bible</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. Many also shouted aloud for joy, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezra/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And many of the priests, and the Levites, and the heads of the fathers, the aged men who had seen the first house—in this house being founded before their eyes—are weeping with a loud voice, and many with a shout, in joy, lifting up the voice; <a href="/ylt/ezra/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And many of the priests, and the Levites, and the heads of the fathers, the aged men who had seen the first house -- in this house being founded before their eyes -- are weeping with a loud voice, and many with a shout, in joy, lifting up the voice; <a href="/slt/ezra/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And many of the priests and the Levites and heads of the fathers, old men, who saw the first house in this house being founded before their eyes, weeping with a great voice; and many with a shout in gladness to the lifting up the voice.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezra/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But many of the priests and the Levites, and the chief of the fathers and the ancients that had seen the former temple; when they had the foundation of this temple before their eyes, wept with a loud voice: and many shouting for joy, lifted up their voice. <a href="/cpdv/ezra/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And many of the priests and the Levites, and the leaders of the fathers and of the elders, who had seen the former temple, when now this temple was founded and was before their eyes, wept with a great voice. And many of them, shouting for joy, lifted up their voice. <a href="/nabre/ezra/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Many of the priests, Levites, and heads of ancestral houses, who were old enough to have seen the former house, cried out in sorrow as they watched the foundation of the present house being laid. Many others, however, lifted up their voices in shouts of joy. <a href="/nrsvce/ezra/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezra/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But many of the priests and the Levites and the chiefs of the fathers, old men, who had seen the first house in its glory, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice, and many raised their voices with trumpets and with joy, <a href="/hpbt/ezra/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And many of the Priests and the Levites, Chiefs of the elder fathers, because they saw this house in its first glory when this house was finished, they wept with a loud voice, and there were many who were lifting up their voice with the horns and with joy.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezra/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, the old men that had seen the first house standing on its foundation, wept with a loud voice, when this house was before their eyes; and many shouted aloud for joy; <a href="/sep/ezra/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But many of the priests and the Levites, and the elder men, heads of families, who had seen the former house on its foundation, and who saw this house with their eyes, wept with a loud voice: but the multitude shouted with joy to raise a song. <a href="/parallel/ezra/3-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=755" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezra/3.htm">Temple Restoration Begins</a> …11And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid. 12<a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: wə·rab·bîm (Conj-w:: Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">But many</a> <a href="/hebrew/2205.htm" title="2205: haz·zə·qê·nîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Old. From zaqen; old.">of the older</a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: mê·hak·kō·hă·nîm (Prep-m, Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">priests,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3881.htm" title="3881: wə·hal·wî·yim (Conj-w, Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Levi. Or Leviy; patronymically from Leviy; a Levite or descendant of Levi.">Levites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">and family</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: wə·rā·šê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">heads</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: rā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">had seen</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: hā·ri·šō·wn (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank.">the first</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: hab·ba·yiṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">temple</a> <a href="/hebrew/1058.htm" title="1058: bō·ḵîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To weep, bewail. A primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan.">wept</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: bə·qō·wl (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">loudly</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: gā·ḏō·wl (Adj-ms) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·nê·hem (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 3mp) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">when they saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3245.htm" title="3245: bə·yā·sə·ḏōw (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3ms) -- A primitive root; to set; intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. Settle, consult.">the foundation</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">of this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: hab·ba·yiṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">temple.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: wə·rab·bîm (Conj-w:: Adj-mp) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">Still, many</a> <a href="/hebrew/8643.htm" title="8643: biṯ·rū·‘āh (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- From ruwa'; clamor, i.e. Acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum.">others shouted</a> <a href="/hebrew/7311.htm" title="7311: lə·hā·rîm (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be high or exalted, rise. A primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl (N-ms) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">joyfully.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8057.htm" title="8057: ḇə·śim·ḥāh (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- Joy, gladness, mirth. From sameach; blithesomeness or glee."></a> 13The people could not distinguish the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people were making so much noise. And the sound was heard from afar.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/haggai/2-3.htm">Haggai 2:3</a> ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not appear to you like nothing in comparison?’ <a href="/zechariah/4-10.htm">Zechariah 4:10</a> For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” <a href="/1_kings/6-7.htm">1 Kings 6:7</a> The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built. <a href="/2_chronicles/3-3.htm">2 Chronicles 3:3-4</a> The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard. / The portico at the front, extending across the width of the temple, was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold. <a href="/2_chronicles/36-19.htm">2 Chronicles 36:19</a> Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. <a href="/jeremiah/52-12.htm">Jeremiah 52:12-13</a> On the tenth day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. / He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building. <a href="/lamentations/2-7.htm">Lamentations 2:7</a> The Lord has rejected His altar; He has abandoned His sanctuary; He has delivered the walls of her palaces into the hand of the enemy. They have raised a shout in the house of the LORD as on the day of an appointed feast. <a href="/psalms/126-5.htm">Psalm 126:5-6</a> Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. <a href="/isaiah/64-11.htm">Isaiah 64:11</a> Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins. <a href="/nehemiah/12-43.htm">Nehemiah 12:43</a> On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard from afar. <a href="/matthew/24-1.htm">Matthew 24:1-2</a> As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings. / “Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” <a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-44</a> As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. / For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side. ... <a href="/john/2-19.htm">John 2:19-21</a> Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.” / “This temple took forty-six years to build,” the Jews replied, “and You are going to raise it up in three days?” / But Jesus was speaking about the temple of His body. <a href="/acts/3-24.htm">Acts 3:24</a> Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have proclaimed these days. <a href="/acts/15-16.htm">Acts 15:16</a> ‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:many<a href="/haggai/2-3.htm">Haggai 2:3</a> Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?when the foundation<a href="/job/8-7.htm">Job 8:7</a> Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.<a href="/isaiah/41-14.htm">Isaiah 41:14</a> Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.<a href="/isaiah/60-22.htm">Isaiah 60:22</a> A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time.wept<a href="/psalms/126-6.htm">Psalm 126:6</a> He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.<a href="/jeremiah/31-8.htm">Jeremiah 31:8,9</a> Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_chronicles/16-42.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-3.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/ezra/2-68.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-12.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/ezra/2-68.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/ezra/3-6.htm">First</a> <a href="/ezra/3-11.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/ezra/2-68.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/ezra/3-11.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezra/2-68.htm">Households</a> <a href="/ezra/2-68.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/30-26.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/ezra/3-9.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/ezra/3-10.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/ezra/3-11.htm">Shouted</a> <a href="/ezra/2-63.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-18.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-27.htm">Wept</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Aloud</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-46.htm">Ancient</a> <a href="/ezra/4-2.htm">Chief</a> <a href="/ezra/9-8.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/ezra/4-2.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">First</a> <a href="/ezra/5-16.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/ezra/4-2.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/ezra/4-3.htm">House</a> <a href="/ezra/4-2.htm">Households</a> <a href="/ezra/4-2.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/ezra/3-13.htm">Joy</a> <a href="/ezra/6-16.htm">Levites</a> <a href="/ezra/6-9.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/ezra/3-13.htm">Shouted</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-65.htm">Standing</a> <a href="/ezra/10-7.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/ezra/10-1.htm">Wept</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 3</div>1. <a href="/ezra/3-1.htm">The altar is set up</a> 4. <a href="/ezra/3-4.htm">Offerings renewed</a> 7. <a href="/ezra/3-7.htm">Workmen employed in preparing materials</a> 8. <a href="/ezra/3-8.htm">The foundations of the temple are laid in great joy and mourning</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezra/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple This phrase highlights the generational divide among the Israelites returning from Babylonian exile. The older priests, Levites, and family heads had witnessed Solomon's Temple, a magnificent structure built around 957 BC, which was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Their memories of the grandeur of the first temple contrast sharply with the modest beginnings of the second temple's foundation. This reflects the historical context of the Jewish exile and return, emphasizing the loss and longing for the past glory of Israel. The mention of priests and Levites underscores the importance of religious leadership and continuity in Jewish worship practices.wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple The emotional response of weeping loudly indicates a deep sense of loss and disappointment. The foundation of the second temple, laid around 536 BC, was a significant event, yet it paled in comparison to the splendor of Solomon's Temple. This reaction can be seen as a fulfillment of <a href="/haggai/2-3.htm">Haggai 2:3</a>, where the prophet questions who among them remembers the former glory and how they perceive the current state. The weeping also signifies a mourning for the past and a recognition of the consequences of Israel's disobedience that led to the exile.Still, many others shouted joyfully In contrast to the weeping, the joyful shouting represents hope and renewal. The younger generation and those who had not seen the first temple were filled with excitement and anticipation for the restoration of worship and community life in Jerusalem. This joy can be connected to the prophecies of restoration found in <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a> and <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10-14</a>, which speak of the return from exile and the rebuilding of the temple. The mixed reactions highlight the complexity of human emotions in the face of change and the fulfillment of God's promises. The joy also prefigures the ultimate restoration and fulfillment found in Jesus Christ, who is seen as the true temple and the cornerstone of faith (<a href="/john/2-19.htm">John 2:19-21</a>, <a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20-22</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/o/older_priests_and_levites.htm">Older Priests and Levites</a> These were the religious leaders who had experienced the glory of Solomon's Temple before its destruction. Their weeping reflects a deep sense of loss and nostalgia for the past. 2. <a href="/topical/f/family_heads.htm">Family Heads</a> These were the leaders of the families or clans who had returned from exile. Their reaction indicates a connection to the heritage and history of Israel. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_first_temple.htm">The First Temple</a> Also known as Solomon's Temple, it was a magnificent structure that symbolized God's presence among His people. Its destruction marked a significant loss for Israel. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_foundation_of_the_new_temple.htm">The Foundation of the New Temple</a> The laying of this foundation was a pivotal moment in the restoration of Israel's worship and identity after the Babylonian exile. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_mixed_reactions.htm">The Mixed Reactions</a> The contrasting emotions of weeping and joy highlight the complex feelings of the community as they grapple with their past and future.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_memory.htm">The Weight of Memory</a> The older generation's weeping reminds us of the power of memory and the impact of past experiences on our present emotions. It is important to honor the past while embracing the future. <a href="/topical/j/joy_in_new_beginnings.htm">Joy in New Beginnings</a> The joyful shouts of others highlight the importance of celebrating new beginnings, even when they don't match past glories. God is at work in the present, and His plans are unfolding. <a href="/topical/b/balancing_emotions.htm">Balancing Emotions</a> The mixed reactions teach us to acknowledge and validate diverse emotional responses within a community. Both grief and joy can coexist as we navigate change. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a> Despite the temple's humble beginnings, God's faithfulness remains constant. Trusting in His promises can bring hope and encouragement during times of rebuilding. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_worship.htm">Community and Worship</a> The laying of the temple's foundation was a communal event, emphasizing the importance of coming together in worship and shared purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 3</a> <a href="/q/could_men_recall_solomon's_temple_70_years_on.htm">(Ezra 3:12) Is it historically feasible that men who remembered Solomon’s Temple were still alive 70 years later to witness the new foundation?</a> <a href="/q/does_evidence_support_haggai_2_9's_claim.htm">Haggai 2:9 claims the new temple would surpass Solomon’s in glory—how does archaeological or historical evidence support or challenge this claim? </a> <a href="/q/why_was_zerubbabel's_rebuilding_slow.htm">If the Holy Spirit truly empowered Zerubbabel to rebuild (Zechariah 4:6), why was the process slow and fraught with opposition instead of miraculously effortless? </a> <a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_49_8_align_with_history.htm">Isaiah 49:8 depicts a grand restoration—how does this align with historical records of Israel’s exiles and returns that appear less triumphant? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezra/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) But many of the priests and Levites . . . wept with a loud voice.--This most affecting scene requires the comment of Haggai 2 and Zeeh. 4. The first house was destroyed in B.C. 588, fifty years before. The weeping of the ancients was not occasioned by any comparison as to size and grandeur, unless indeed they marked the smallness of their foundation stones. They thought chiefly of the great desolation as measured by the past; the younger peoplc thought of the new future.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Many... who were ancient men, that had seen the first house. The old temple had not been destroyed so much as fifty years. Consequently, there would be many who could remember its grandeur and glory. These persons, when the foundation of the (new) house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. It was "the day of small things" (<a href="/zechariah/4-10.htm">Zechariah 4:10</a>). The new house, in comparison with the old one, was "as nothing" (<a href="/haggai/2-3.htm">Haggai 2:3</a>). The difference was perhaps not so much in the dimensions (see note on Ezra 6:3) as in the size and quality of the foundation-stones (<a href="/1_kings/5-17.htm">1 Kings 5:17</a>), the excellence of the masonry, and the like. Solomon had employed the best workmen of one of the greatest of the Tyrian kings; Zerubbabel had only the arms of his own subjects to depend upon. <a href="/commentaries/ezra/3-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But many וְרַבִּ֡ים (wə·rab·bîm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great of the older הַזְּקֵנִ֗ים (haz·zə·qê·nîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2205.htm">Strong's 2205: </a> Old priests, מֵהַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים (mê·hak·kō·hă·nîm) Preposition-m, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest Levites, וְהַלְוִיִּם֩ (wə·hal·wî·yim) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3881.htm">Strong's 3881: </a> Levites -- descendant of Levi and family הָאָב֜וֹת (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father heads וְרָאשֵׁ֨י (wə·rā·šê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head who אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that had seen רָא֜וּ (rā·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see the first הָֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ (hā·ri·šō·wn) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7223.htm">Strong's 7223: </a> First, in place, time, rank temple הַבַּ֤יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house wept בֹּכִ֖ים (bō·ḵîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1058.htm">Strong's 1058: </a> To weep, to bemoan loudly בְּק֣וֹל (bə·qō·wl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound when they saw בְּעֵ֣ינֵיהֶ֔ם (bə·‘ê·nê·hem) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain the foundation בְּיָסְד֔וֹ (bə·yā·sə·ḏōw) Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3245.htm">Strong's 3245: </a> To set, to found, to sit down together, settle, consult of this זֶ֤ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that temple. הַבַּ֙יִת֙ (hab·ba·yiṯ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house Still, many וְרַבִּ֛ים (wə·rab·bîm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great others shouted בִּתְרוּעָ֥ה (biṯ·rū·‘āh) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8643.htm">Strong's 8643: </a> Clamor, acclamation of joy, a battle-cry, clangor, of trumpets, as an alarum joyfully. קֽוֹל׃ (qō·wl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> A voice, sound <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezra/3-12.htm">Ezra 3:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezra/3-12.htm">OT History: Ezra 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/3-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 3:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 3:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/3-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 3:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 3:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>