Ezra 8:21
What does Ezra 8:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 8:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 8:21 means
Before departure, Ezra proclaims a fast at the river Ahava, to humble themselves before God and to seek from Him a straight path for themselves, their children, and all their possessions. This act expresses dependence, confession, and petition. It is one thing to organize well; it is another to acknowledge that safety and success ultimately come from God. The inclusion of “our little ones” shows the communal nature of the journey—families, not merely fighters, will travel. Seeking a straight way implies protection from dangers and guidance along the route. The fast is a public, united turning to God before taking the first step.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then I gave orders for a time of going without food, there by the river Ahava, so that we might make ourselves low before our God in prayer, requesting from him a straight way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I proclaim there a fast, by the river Ahava, to afflict ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a right way for us, and for our infants, and for all our substance,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I proclaimed there a fast by the river Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before the Lord our God, and might ask of him a right way for us and for our children, and for all our substance.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before ourGod, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Context
Verse 21 inaugurates the chapter’s spiritual centerpiece following the successful recruitment of Levites and Nethinim (verses 18–20). The company pauses to fast and pray for protection and direction, an act that will be explained further in verse 22 and answered in verse 23. This spiritual preparation precedes the solemn entrusting of the offerings to selected priests (verses 24–30). Only then will they depart (verse 31). The sequence underscores that spiritual humility and dependence come before logistics and travel, shaping the entire endeavor under God’s care.
v.20and of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim: all of them were mentioned by name.
v.21This passage
v.22For 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joel 1:14
Sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the old men and all the inhabitants of the land unto the house of Jehovah your God, and cry unto Jehovah.
- Jeremiah 50:4
In those days, and in that time, saith Jehovah, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together; they shall go on their way weeping, and shall seek Jehovah their God.
- Isaiah 30:21
and thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it; when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.
- Jonah 3:5
And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
- Numbers 14:31
But your little ones, that ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have rejected.
- Jeremiah 10:23
O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.