Log inSign up

Ezra 3 · a question people ask

Is Jeshua the same man as Joshua the high priest in Haggai?

In the text

Ezra names him "Jeshua the son of Jozadak" (3:2), and says he "stood up with his brothers the priests" (3:2); he is named the same way in 3:8 and 5:2. The book of Haggai speaks to "Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest" (Haggai 1:1). The WEB spells the two names differently, and Ezra never calls Jeshua the high priest. Ezra doesn't say whether they are one man, and these notes set the verses side by side without saying either way.

The verses

“Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak stood up with his brothers the priests and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his relatives, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.”
Ezra 3:2 · World English Bible
“Now in the second year of their coming to God’s house at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began the work and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the LORD’s house.”
Ezra 3:8 · World English Bible
“Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.”
Ezra 5:2 · World English Bible
“In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the LORD’s word came by Haggai the prophet, to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,”
Haggai 1:1 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Ezra 3

Ezra 3: The foundation laid

Ezra 3 puts the altar before the house: the offerings began while "the foundation of the LORD’s temple was not yet laid" (3:6). When it was laid, they sang the song sung at the first house, "For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Israel" (3:11), and weeping and shouting were so mixed that no one could tell them apart (3:13).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekEzra 3 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Ezra 3

All questions about Ezra →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions