Ezra 8:21-23

Protection of God Invoked

21 Then I proclaimed ¹a fast there at ²the river of Ahava, that we might ³humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our little ones, and all our possessions.

22 For I was ashamed to request from the king troops and horsemen to protect us from the enemy on the way, because we had said to the king, "⁴The hand of our God is favorably disposed to all those who seek Him, but ⁵His power and His anger are against all those who ⁶forsake Him."

23 So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He ⁷listened to our entreaty.

Ezra 8:21-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 8

In this chapter we are told who and how many went up with Ezra to Jerusalem, Ezr 8:1-14, the gathering of them together at a river, from whence he sent to Babylon for Levites to come to him, who did, Ezr 8:15-20, the proclaiming a fast for a safe and prosperous journey, Ezr 8:21-23, the delivery of the vessels and money given him into the hands of priests, to take the care and charge thereof, Ezr 8:24-30, their safe arrival at Jerusalem, where they deposited the gifts in the temple, offered sacrifices to God, and delivered the king's commissions to his lieutenants and governors, Ezr 8:31-36.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Chronicles 20:3
• 2. Ezra 8:15, 31
• 3. Leviticus 16:29; Leviticus 23:29; Isaiah 58:3, 5
• 4. Ezra 7:6, 9, 28
• 5. Joshua 22:16
• 6. 2 Chronicles 15:2
• 7. 1 Chronicles 5:20; 2 Chronicles 33:13

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "straight way"
• [b]. Lit "help"
• [c]. Lit "upon all...for good"
• [d]. Lit "was entreated by us"