Ezra 8:22

Ezra 8:22 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For 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.
• New International Version (NIV)I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him."
• New King James Version (NKJV)For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”

Context of Ezra 8:22

20also 220 of the temple servants, whom David and the leaders had set apart [with their descendants] for the service of the Levites. They were all designated by name. 21Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, so that we might humble ourselves before our God to seek from Him a safe journey for us, our children, and all our possessions. For I was ashamed to request troops and horsemen from the king to protect us from the enemy along the way, because we had told the king, “The hand of our God is favorable toward all those who seek Him, but His power and His anger are against all those who abandon (turn away from) Him.” 23So we fasted and sought [help from] our God concerning this [matter], and He heard our plea. 24Then I set apart twelve leading priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers (relatives),

Ezra 8:22 word by word

כִּ֣י בֹ֗שְׁתִּי לִשְׁא֤וֹל מִן־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ חַ֣יִל וּפָרָשִׁ֔ים לְעָזְרֵ֥נוּ מֵאוֹיֵ֖ב בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ כִּֽי־אָמַ֨רְנוּ לַמֶּ֜לֶךְ לֵאמֹ֗ר יַד־אֱלֹהֵ֤ינוּ עַל־כָּל־מְבַקְשָׁיו֙ לְטוֹבָ֔ה וְעֻזּ֣וֹ וְאַפּ֔וֹ עַ֖ל כָּל־עֹזְבָֽיו׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For I was ashamedבּוֹשׁbûsh · be ashamedH954
• to requireשָׁאַלshâ'al shâ'êl · to askH7592
• of the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• a band of soldiersחַ֫יִלchayil · armyH2428
• and horsemenפָּרָשׁpârâsh · horsemanH6571
• to helpעָזַר‛âzar · to helpH5826
• us against the enemyאֹיֵב'ôyêb 'ôyêb · enemyH341
• in the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: journeyH1870
• because we had spokenאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• The handיָדyâd · hand: powerH3027
• of our Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• upon all them for goodטוֹבָהţôb · welfareH2896
• that seekבָּקַשׁbâqash · to seekH1245
• him; but his powerעֹז‛ôz ‛ôz · strengthH5797
• and his wrathאַף'aph · face: angerH639
• against all them that forsakeעָזַב‛âzab · to leave: forsakeH5800

Cross-references for Ezra 8:22

• 1 Corinthians 9:15But I have used none of these privileges, nor am I writing this [to suggest] that any such provision be made for me now. For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone deprive me of my boast [in this matter of financial support].
• 2 Corinthians 7:14For if I have boasted to him at all concerning you, I was not disappointed. But just as everything we ever said to you was true, so our boasting [about you] to Titus has proved true also.
• Ezra 7:6this Ezra went up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law (the five books) of Moses, which the Lord God of Israel had given; and the king granted him everything that he asked, for the hand of the Lord his God was on him.
• 1 Chronicles 28:9“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and minds, and understands every intent and inclination of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] He will let you find Him; but if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will reject you forever.
• 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this; therefore, from now on you will have wars.”
• Psalms 33:18Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience], On those who hope [confidently] in His compassion and lovingkindness,
• Psalms 34:15The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous [those with moral courage and spiritual integrity] And His ears are open to their cry.
• Isaiah 3:10Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, For they will eat the fruit of their [righteous] actions.
• Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word].
• Romans 8:28And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
• 1 Peter 3:12For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), And His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil.”
• Joshua 23:16When you transgress (violate) the covenant of the Lord your God, which He commanded you [to follow], and you go and serve other gods and bow down to them, then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from the good land which He has given you.”
• 2 Chronicles 15:2and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him, as your soul’s first necessity], He will let you find Him; but if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will abandon (turn away from) you.
• Psalms 21:8Your hand will reach out and defeat all your enemies; Your right hand will reach those who hate you.
• Psalms 34:16The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
• Psalms 90:11Who understands the power of Your anger? [Who connects this brevity of life among us with Your judgment of sin?] And Your wrath, [who connects it] with the [reverent] fear that is due You?

Commentaries on Ezra 8:22

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 22I was ashamed to require - a band - He had represented God, the object of his worship, as supremely powerful, and as having the strongest affection for his true followers: he could not, therefore, consistently with his declarations, ask a band of soldiers from the king to protect them on the way, when they were going expressly to rebuild the temple of Jehovah, and restore his worship. He therefore found it necessary to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 22What “enemy” menaced Ezra, and on what account, is wholly uncertain (compare Ezra 8:31). Perhaps robber-tribes, Arab or Syrian, were his opponents.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21-23Verses 21-23 Ezra procured Levites to go with him; but what will that avail, unless he have God with him? Those who seek God, are safe under the shadow of his wings, even in their greatest dangers; but those who forsake him, are always exposed. When entering upon any new state of life, our care should be, to bring none of the guilt of the sins of our former condition into it. When we are in any peril, let us be at peace with God, and then nothing can do…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 22ashamed: Ezra had openly declared his faith in God's power to protect the Israelites on their journey. Asking the king for help now would imply that Ezra doubted God's ability to provide.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 21-3621. Then I proclaimed a fast there--The dangers to travelling caravans from the Bedouin Arabs that prowl through the desert were in ancient times as great as they still are; and it seems that travellers usually sought the protection of a military escort. But Ezra had spoken so much to the king of the sufficiency of the divine care of His people that he would have blushed to apply for a guard of soldiers. Therefore he resolved that his followers should, by…Read the comment

Topics related to Ezra 8:22

• Backsliders
• Blessing
• Courage
• Faith
• Fasting
• Humiliation and Self-Affliction
• Power
• Righteous
• Seekers

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Ezra
• Fast
• Require
• Scribe
• Ashamed
• Esdras, the First Book of

Commentaries on Ezra 8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings