Ezra 3:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The old men who had seen Solomon's temple weep aloud, while many others shout for joy.
What Does Ezra 3:12 Mean?
Among the rejoicing crowd stand the aged -- priests, Levites, and family heads old enough to remember Solomon's glorious temple before its destruction. Seeing this humbler foundation, they weep aloud, even as the younger shout for joy. Two sounds rise at once from the same gathering.
Their tears are not bitterness but memory: grief for the glory that was lost, longing for what once had been. Joy and sorrow can stand together in the house of God, and He receives them both. The old remember the loss; the young celebrate the gift. A later prophet would promise that the glory of this latter house would surpass the first -- a hope larger than the weeping eyes could yet see.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 3:12
What does Ezra 3:12 mean?
The old men who had seen Solomon's temple weep aloud, while many others shout for joy.