Ezra 3:4-6

The Observance of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Ezra 3:4. And they kept. : see Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:34; Deuteronomy 16:13, and cf. Nehemiah 8:14 This feast (the vintage feast) was observed on the 15th of Tisri and lasted seven days (pp. 102- 104). The Heb. name is Sukkô th (Booths), in reference to the way in which the Israelites dwelt in booths during their journey through the wilderness; this, at least, is the traditional explanation of the dwelling in booths during the whole of the feast. by number. : see Numbers 29:12.

Ezra 3:5. the continual burnt offering: i.e. the daily sacrifices, morning and evening, of a lamb of the first year (see Exodus 29:38; Numbers 28:6). the offerings of the new moons: i.e. the offerings at the feasts of the new moon (cf. Numbers 28:11; 1 Samuel 20:5; 2 Kings 4:23). all the set feasts of Yahweh: see Leviticus 23:1; Numbers 23:2; these feasts were, in addition to those of the Sabbath and new moons, Passover, Weeks, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles. The enumeration of all these feasts signifies the reinstatement of the whole sacrificial system.

Ezra 3:6. but: better although; it was inconceivable to the Jews of the Chronicler's day that offerings could be sacrificed without the Temple, hence the addition of these words. The occasion was wholly exceptional.