Ezra 8:22
What does Ezra 8:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 8:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 8:22 means
Ezra explains why he did not request a military escort: he had told the king that God’s hand is upon all who seek Him for good, and His power and wrath are against all who forsake Him. To avoid contradicting that testimony, Ezra chose to rely on God rather than Persian soldiers. This is not presumption but faith consistent with his witness. He felt shame at the thought of asking for protection after professing God’s sufficiency. The verse lays bare the intersection of public testimony and practical decisions, where integrity compels action that matches one’s declared trust in God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For I was ashamed to require 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 for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For I would not, for shame, make request to the king for a band of armed men and horsemen to give us help against those who might make attacks on us on the way: for we had said to the king, The hand of our God is on his servants for good, but his power and his wrath are against all those who are turned away from him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for I was ashamed to ask from the king a force and horsemen to help us because of the enemy in the way, for we spake to the king, saying, `The hand of our God <FI>is<Fi> upon all seeking Him for good, and His strength and His wrath <FI> is<Fi> upon all forsaking Him.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For I was ashamed to ask the king for aid and for horsemen, to defend us from the enemy in the way: because we had said to the king: The hand of our God is upon all them that seek him in goodness: and his power and strength, and wrath upon all them that forsake him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way; for we had spoken to the king saying, The hand of ourGod is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his anger is against all them that forsake him.
Context
Verse 22 provides the rationale behind the fast of verse 21. Ezra’s earlier words to Artaxerxes shaped his course: instead of requesting military aid, he sought divine protection. This confession leads naturally to the prayer and fasting described in verse 23. Following that, the narrative will transition to careful stewardship, assigning and weighing offerings to selected priests (verses 24–30), demonstrating that while Ezra trusted God for protection, he also practiced prudence and accountability in matters under his control.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lord is upon them that do evil.
- 1 Corinthians 9:15
But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
- Psalms 90:11
Who knoweth the power of thine anger, And thy wrath according to the fear that is due unto thee?
- Psalms 33:18
Behold, the eye of Jehovah is upon them that fear him, Upon them that hope in his lovingkindness;
- Psalms 21:8
Thy hand will find out all thine enemies; Thy right hand will find out those that hate thee.
- Psalms 34:22
Jehovah redeemeth the soul of his servants; And none of them that take refuge in him shall be condemned.