Ezra 8:31

Arrival in Jerusalem

31 We set out from the Ahava River^[a] on the twelfth [day] of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God,^[b] and He protected us from the power of the enemy and from ambush along the way.

Ezra 8:31 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 8:31

Then we departed from the river of Ahava, on the twelfth day
of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem
The month Nisan, answering to part of March and part of April; this was two days before the passover began:

and the hand of our God was upon us;
guiding, directing, and protecting them by his providence:

and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in
wait by the way;
either by intimidating them, that they dared not attack them, or by directing them to take a different road, whereby they escaped them, see ( Ezra 8:22 ) .

Ezra 8:31 In-Context

29 Guard [them] carefully until you weigh [them] out in the chambers of the Lord's house before the leading priests, Levites, and heads of the Israelite families in Jerusalem."

30 So the priests and Levites took charge of the silver, the gold, and the articles that had been weighed out, to bring [them] to the house of our God in Jerusalem.

31 We set out from the Ahava River on the twelfth [day] of the first month to go to Jerusalem. We were strengthened by our God, and He protected us from the power of the enemy and from ambush along the way.

32 So we arrived at Jerusalem and rested there for three days.

33 On the fourth day the silver, the gold, and the articles were weighed out in the house of our God into the care of Meremoth the priest, son of Uriah. Eleazar son of Phinehas was with him. The Levites Jozabad son of Jeshua and Noadiah son of Binnui were also with them.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Canal
• [b]. Lit The hand of our God was on us