Ezra 8:23
What does Ezra 8:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 8:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 8:23 means
The company fasts and earnestly seeks God, and God is entreated—He hears and responds favorably. The text does not describe a vision or sign; the assurance comes in the later report of safe passage. Still, this summary affirms that humble prayer is effective, and that God’s help is the decisive factor in their success. By recording that “he was entreated of us,” Ezra underscores the link between dependent prayer and providential protection. This prepares the reader to see the deliverance on the road not as luck but as the fruit of God’s attentive care for His people who sought Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So we went without food, requesting our God for this: and his ear was open to our prayer.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And we fast, and seek from our God for this, and He is entreated of us.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And we fasted, and besought our God for this: and it fell out prosperously unto us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And we fasted, and besought ourGod for this; and he was entreated of us.
Context
Verse 23 concludes the fasting scene started in verse 21 and explained in verse 22. Having sought God, they receive His favorable attention, which will be demonstrated in the safe journey reported in verse 31. With spiritual preparation complete, the narrative turns to practical stewardship: Ezra sets apart chief priests and entrusts them with weighed amounts of silver, gold, and vessels for the house of God (verses 24–30), ensuring transparency and accountability before departure on the twelfth day of the first month (verse 31).
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.
v.23This passage
v.24Then I set apart twelve of the chiefs of the priests, even Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brethren with them,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 2:37
and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.
- 2 Chronicles 33:12
And when he was in distress, he besought Jehovah his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
- Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
- Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
- Isaiah 19:22
And Jehovah will smite Egypt, smiting and healing; and they shall return unto Jehovah, and he will be entreated of them, and will heal them.
- Nehemiah 9:1
Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth upon them.