Definition: Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this Bible verse together. It’s a really important passage about rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes the beginning of a big project to restore the Temple – the most sacred place for Jewish worship. Here’s a breakdown of each part: “Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem…” - This tells us it's happening now , meaning right after the Jews were freed from their exile. They’re starting this rebuilding process. "House of God" refers to the Temple, which was destroyed during the Babylonian Exile. “…in the second month…” – It’s the second month of the year they begin. "...began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem…” - This names the people who are involved in this project. Zerubbabel: This was a very important leader – he’s like a conductor for the whole effort. Jeshua and Jozadak: These are two key leaders who were part of the group that was released from exile. The Remnant of their Brethren the Priests and Levites: This means everyone who was originally Jewish – the priests (who led the worship) and the Levites (who performed the music and rituals) – started coming back to Jerusalem. “all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem” - This is really important: "captivity" means being exiled from their homeland, which was Babylon. So, this refers to everyone who was freed from exile and returned to Jerusalem. “…and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.” - This is the key part! The people are given a specific job: “appointed”: They were officially designated as responsible for rebuilding the Temple. “from twenty years old and upward”: This means everyone – from young children to older adults – was expected to participate. It wasn't just the leaders; it was a whole community. "set forward the work of the house of the LORD" : This is a very powerful phrase! It means they were tasked with rebuilding and restoring the Temple, so that God could continue to bless his people. In short, this verse describes a big undertaking – a collective effort to bring back the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem after a long period of exile. It highlights the importance of community, faith, and working together to rebuild something sacred for God. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this verse in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the significance of the Temple? Talk about the role of the Levites? Give you some historical context?