Ezra 8:31
What does Ezra 8:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 8:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 8:31 means
They depart from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, heading to Jerusalem. Ezra testifies that the hand of their God was upon them, delivering them from enemies and ambushes along the way. The date situates the journey in sacred time, near Passover season, reinforcing themes of deliverance. No battles are detailed; the emphasis is on divine protection rather than human prowess. This fulfills the confidence expressed in verses 21–23. The journey that could have been marked by loss—given the treasure and families—becomes an occasion to highlight God’s faithful guardianship over His people on the path He appointed.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the lier-in-wait by the way.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the lier-in-wait by the way.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then we went away from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem; and the hand of our God was on us, and he gave us salvation from our haters and those who were waiting to make an attack on us by the way.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And we journey from the river Ahava, on the twelfth of the first month, to go to Jerusalem, and the hand of our God hath been upon us, and He delivereth us from the hand of the enemy and the lier in wait by the way;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then we set forward from the river Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month to go to Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth of the first month, to go to Jerusalem; and the hand of ourGod was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.
Context
Verse 31 reports the actual departure and God’s protective care, following the meticulous preparations and fasting. It answers the prayer of verse 23 and vindicates Ezra’s decision not to ask for a military escort (verse 22). The next verse (32) notes their arrival and a brief period of rest. Afterward, the narrative will describe the formal weighing of the treasures in the temple (verses 33–34), followed by corporate sacrifices (verse 35) and the presentation of the king’s decrees to regional authorities (verse 36), completing both religious and administrative objectives.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 8:15
And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there we encamped three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.
- Psalms 91:9
For thou, O Jehovah, art my refuge! Thou hast made the Most High thy habitation;
- Ezra 8:21
Then 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.
- Isaiah 41:10
fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Acts 25:3
asking a favor against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem; laying a plot to kill him on the way.
- Acts 26:22
Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses did say should come;