Ezra 3:8

The second year. If the year of the Jews’ return was 536 B.C., the second month of the second year would have fallen in the spring of 535 B.C. The months were numbered beginning with Nisan, the 1st month of the ecclesiastical year, even though the months so designated referred to the civil calendar, which began in the fall with Tishri, the 7th month. The phrase, “of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem,” shows clearly that the second year of their return is meant, and not the second year of Cyrus’ reign, as some commentators have thought.

The second month. Called Iyyar in the postexilic calendar. Some commentators think that this month was chosen for the beginning of building activities in order to coincide with the date chosen by Solomon for beginning the erection of the first Temple.

Zerubbabel. In v. 2 Jeshua, the high priest, is mentioned before Zerubbabel, the governor, because reference is made to a purely ecclesiastical affair, the beginning of the sacrificial service, in which the high priest naturally had primary authority. In connection with the rebuilding of the Temple, Zerubbabel, representing the authority of the state, is mentioned first. He was the official representative of the Persian king, who had issued the decree to rebuild the Temple; therefore it was his privilege and duty to lead out in the measures to be taken in carrying out the decree.

Appointed the Levites. The few Levites who had returned were appointed by the governor to supervise the workmen employed in rebuilding the Temple.

From twenty years. In conformity with a custom that had existed at least since the time of David, that the Levites could serve only after reaching the age of 20. In Moses’ time they were not permitted to serve until the age of 25.

Set forward. That is, “supervised” or “had the oversight.”