Discovery BoxEzra 3:3 
Context3:3 They established the altar on its foundations, even though they were in terror of the local peoples, 1 and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and the evening offerings.
Ezra 4:12
Context4:12 Now 2 let the king be aware that the Jews who came up to us from you have gone to Jerusalem. They are rebuilding that rebellious and odious city. 3 They are completing its walls and repairing its foundations.
Ezra 5:16
Context5:16 Then this Sheshbazzar went and laid the foundations of the temple of God in Jerusalem. From that time to the present moment 4 it has been in the process of being rebuilt, although it is not yet finished.’
1 tn Heb “the peoples of the lands.”
2 tn The MT takes this word with the latter part of v. 11, but in English style it fits better with v. 12.
3 sn Management of the provinces that were distantly removed from the capital was difficult, and insurrection in such places was a perennial problem. The language used in this report about Jerusalem (i.e., “rebellious,” “odious”) is intentionally inflammatory. It is calculated to draw immediate attention to the perceived problem.
4 tn Aram “from then and until now.”
