Ezra 8:18
What does Ezra 8:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 8:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 8:18 means
The response is attributed to “the good hand of our God upon us”: a discerning man from Mahli’s line (a Levitical branch), namely Sherebiah, along with his sons and brothers, eighteen in total. This emphasizes that God’s favor, not merely human planning, supplied the needed ministers. Sherebiah’s description as a man of discretion suggests spiritual and practical wisdom—qualities essential for temple service and later responsibilities. The inclusion of his family group signifies commitment and increases the capacity of the returning community to perform sacred duties, aligning their journey with the proper order God prescribed for worship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And according to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And according to the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And by the help of our God they got for us Ish-sechel, one of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah with his sons and brothers, eighteen;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they bring to us, according to the good hand of our God upon us, a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, son of Levi, son of Israel, and Sherebiah, and his sons, and his brethren, eighteen;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And by the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a most learned man of the sons of Moholi the son of Levi the son of Israel, and Sarabias and his sons, and his brethren eighteen,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And by the good hand of ourGod upon us, they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel, namely, Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;
Context
Verse 18 reports the initial fruit of the mission described in verses 16–17. The text credits God’s good hand, echoing a theme throughout Ezra that success in restoration comes from divine favor. The narrative will add more Levites in verse 19 and a substantial number of Nethinim in verse 20, fully rounding out the ministry personnel. With this need met, Ezra will lead the company into a fast for safe travel (verses 21–23), followed by the careful assignment and weighing of offerings entrusted to priests (verses 24–30) ahead of their departure (verse 31).
v.17And I sent them forth unto Iddo the chief at the place Casiphia; and I told them what they should say unto Iddo, and his brethren the Nethinim, at the place Casiphia, that they should bring unto us ministers for the house of our God.
v.18This passage
v.19and Hashabiah, and with him Jeshaiah of the sons of Merari, his brethren and their sons, twenty;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Chronicles 6:19
The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. And these are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.
- Proverbs 24:3
Through wisdom is a house builded; And by understanding it is established;
- Numbers 3:20
And the sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.
- Ezra 8:16
Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, who were teachers.
- Ezra 8:22
For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them that seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
- Nehemiah 8:7
Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place.