Ezra 3:13
What does Ezra 3:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 3:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 3:13 means
The scene ends with a blended sound—a great shout of joy intertwined with loud weeping—so intermingled that it could not be distinguished, yet loud enough to be heard far away. The restoration of worship and the laying of the foundation are public, and their impact reaches beyond Jerusalem. The noise testifies to the significance of the moment: God is restoring His people, but not without cost, memory, and longing. The mingled sound invites humility and hope: gratitude for what God has begun, and yearning for the fullness still to come. In time, God would fill this imperfect work with His purposes beyond what they could see.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that in the ears of the people the cry of joy was mixed with the sound of weeping; for the cries of the people were loud and came to the ears of those who were a long way off.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the people are not discerning the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people, for the people are shouting--a great shout--and the noise hath been heard unto a distance.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752So that one could not distinguish the voice of the shout of joy, from the noise of the weeping of the people: for one with another the people shouted with a loud shout, and the voice was heard afar off.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a great shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Context
The previous verse introduced the dual response of sorrow and joy at the foundation’s laying. Verse 13 concludes the chapter by noting that the combined noise was indistinguishable yet far-reaching. This ending leaves readers with a realistic picture of restoration—celebrated and mourned at once. It sets up the narrative tensions that will follow in later chapters, including opposition from neighbors and the need for perseverance, even as God’s faithful hand remains evident.
v.12But 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:
v.13This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 5:11
But let all those that take refuge in thee rejoice, Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
- Luke 19:37
And as he was now drawing nigh, even at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen;
- Jeremiah 33:11
the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that say, Give thanks to Jehovah of hosts, for Jehovah is good, for his lovingkindness endureth for ever; and of them that bring sacrifices of thanksgiving into the house of Jehovah. For I will cause the captivity of the land to return as at the first, saith Jehovah.
- 1 Kings 1:45
and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon; and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard.
- Zechariah 4:7
Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain; and he shall bring forth the top stone with shoutings of Grace, grace, unto it.
- Judges 2:5
And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto Jehovah.