John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible
Ezra 3 - Introduction
INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 3
This chapter relates how that the people of Israel returned from captivity, gathered to Jerusalem, and set up the altar, where sacrifices were offered, Ezra 3:1, and kept the feast of tabernacles, and offered the sacrifices of that, besides the daily sacrifice, and of other festivals; and contributed to the workmen that prepared for the building of the temple, Ezra 3:4 and began it by laying the foundation of it; which to some was matter of joy, to others of grief, on different accounts, Ezra 3:8.