Go
Articles on

Ezra 8

Ezra 8:21 KJV (With Strong’s)

+
21
Then I proclaimed
qara' (Hebrew #7121)
to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
KJV usage: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
Pronounce: kaw-raw'
Origin: a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea of accosting a person met)
a fast
tsowm (Hebrew #6685)
or tsom {tsome}; from from 6684; a fast: --fast(-ing).
Pronounce: tsome
x there, at the river
nahar (Hebrew #5104)
a stream (including the sea; expec. the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
KJV usage: flood, river.
Pronounce: naw-hawr'
Origin: from 5102
of Ahava
'Ahava' (Hebrew #163)
Ahava, a river of Babylonia
KJV usage: Ahava.
Pronounce: a-hav-aw'
Origin: probably of foreign origin
, that we mighty afflict
`anah (Hebrew #6031)
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
KJV usage: abase self, afflict(-ion, self), answer (by mistake for 6030{/SI}}}6030{/SI}}/SI}}6030}6030{/SI}{/SI}), chasten self, deal hardly with, defile, exercise, force, gentleness, humble (self), hurt, ravish, sing (by mistake for 6030{/SI}}}6030{/SI}}/SI}}6030}6030{/SI}{/SI}), speak (by mistake for 6030{/SI}}}6030{/SI}}/SI}}6030}6030{/SI}{/SI}), submit self, weaken, X in any wise.
Pronounce: aw-naw'
Origin: a primitive root (possibly rather ident. with 6030{/SI}}}6030{/SI}}/SI}}6030}6030{/SI}{/SI} through the idea of looking down or browbeating)
ourselves before
paniym (Hebrew #6440)
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
KJV usage: + accept, a-(be- )fore(-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him(-self), + honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look(-eth) (- s), X me, + meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on, open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee, X them(-selves), through (+ - out), till, time(-s) past, (un-)to(-ward), + upon, upside (+ down), with(- in, + -stand), X ye, X you.
Pronounce: paw-neem'
Origin: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun (paneh {paw-neh'}; from 6437)
our God
'elohiym (Hebrew #430)
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
KJV usage: angels, X exceeding, God (gods)(-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
Pronounce: el-o-heem'
Origin: plural of 433
, toz seek
baqash (Hebrew #1245)
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
KJV usage: ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for).
Pronounce: baw-kash'
Origin: a primitive root
of him a right
yashar (Hebrew #3477)
straight (literally or figuratively)
KJV usage: convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), + pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).
Pronounce: yaw-shawr'
Origin: from 3474
way
derek (Hebrew #1870)
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
KJV usage: along, away, because of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side), whither(-soever).
Pronounce: deh'-rek
Origin: from 1869
for us, and for ourb little ones
taph (Hebrew #2945)
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
KJV usage: (little) children (ones), families.
Pronounce: taf
Origin: from 2952 (perhaps referring to the tripping gait of children)
, and for all our substance
rkuwsh (Hebrew #7399)
from passive participle of 7408; property (as gathered)
KJV usage: good, riches, substance.
Pronounce: rek-oosh'
Origin: or rkush {rek-oosh'}
.
x
2 Chron. 20:3• 3And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek Jehovah, and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. (2 Chron. 20:3)
y
Lev. 16:29• 29And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you. In the seventh month, on the tenth of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, the home-born, and the stranger that sojourneth among you; (Lev. 16:29)
;
Lev. 23:29• 29For every soul that is not afflicted on that same day, shall be cut off from among his peoples. (Lev. 23:29)
;
Isa. 58:3,5• 3--Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest not; have afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find what pleaseth you, and exact all your labours.
 5Is such the fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul,--that he should bow down his head as a bulrush, and spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and a day acceptable to Jehovah? (Isa. 58:3,5)
;
Joel 2:13• 13and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving-kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (Joel 2:13)
z
Psa. 5:8• 8Lead me, Jehovah, in thy righteousness, because of my foes; make thy way plain before me. (Psa. 5:8)
;
Psa. 143:8,10• 8Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning, for in thee do I confide; make me to know the way wherein I should walk, for unto thee do I lift up my soul.
 10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: let thy good Spirit lead me in a plain country. (Psa. 143:8,10)
;
Prov. 3:6• 6in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths. (Prov. 3:6)
;
Isa. 30:21• 21And when ye turn to the right hand or when ye turn to the left, thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it. (Isa. 30:21)
;
Isa. 42:16• 16And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not, in paths that they know not will I lead them; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. (Isa. 42:16)
;
Jer. 10:23• 23I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jer. 10:23)
b
Psa. 8:2• 2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established praise because of thine adversaries, to still the enemy and the avenger. (Psa. 8:2)
;
Mark 10:13,16• 13And they brought little children to him that he might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those that brought them.
 16And having taken them in his arms, having laid his hands on them, he blessed them. (Mark 10:13,16)

More on:

+
Ahava,
Fast; Fasting,
God,
River

Cross References

+

Ministry on This Verse

+
I proclaimed.
Judg. 20:26• 26Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up and came to Bethel, and wept, and abode there before Jehovah, and fasted that day until even, and offered up burnt-offerings and peace-offerings before Jehovah. (Judg. 20:26)
;
1 Sam. 7:6• 6And they gathered together to Mizpah, and drew water, and poured it out before Jehovah, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against Jehovah. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpah. (1 Sam. 7:6)
;
2 Chron. 20:3• 3And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek Jehovah, and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah. (2 Chron. 20:3)
;
Joel 1:14• 14Hallow a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly, gather the elders, and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of Jehovah your God, and cry unto Jehovah. (Joel 1:14)
;
Joel 2:12‑18• 12Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning;
 13and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving-kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
 14Who knoweth? He might return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, an oblation and a drink-offering for Jehovah your God?
 15Blow the trumpet in Zion, hallow a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly;
 16gather the people, hallow the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride from her closet.
 17Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare, O Jehovah, thy people, and give not thine inheritance to reproach, that they should be a byword of the nations. Wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?
 18Then Jehovah will be jealous for his land, and will have pity on his people. (Joel 2:12‑18)
;
Jonah 3:5• 5And the men of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. (Jonah 3:5)
afflict ourselves.
Lev. 16:29,31• 29And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you. In the seventh month, on the tenth of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, the home-born, and the stranger that sojourneth among you;
 31A sabbath of rest shall it be unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls: it is an everlasting statute. (Lev. 16:29,31)
;
Lev. 23:29• 29For every soul that is not afflicted on that same day, shall be cut off from among his peoples. (Lev. 23:29)
;
Isa. 58:3,5• 3--Wherefore have we fasted, and thou seest not; have afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find what pleaseth you, and exact all your labours.
 5Is such the fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul,--that he should bow down his head as a bulrush, and spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast, and a day acceptable to Jehovah? (Isa. 58:3,5)
;
Jer. 31:8‑9• 8Behold, I bring them from the north country, and gather them from the uttermost parts of the earth; and among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great assemblage shall they return hither.
 9They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them; I will cause them to walk by water-brooks, in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble; for I will be a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. (Jer. 31:8‑9)
;
Jer. 50:4‑5• 4In those days, and at that time, saith Jehovah, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping as they go, and shall seek Jehovah their God.
 5They shall inquire concerning Zion, with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to Jehovah, in an everlasting covenant that shall not be forgotten. (Jer. 50:4‑5)
to seek.
Psa. 5:8• 8Lead me, Jehovah, in thy righteousness, because of my foes; make thy way plain before me. (Psa. 5:8)
;
Psa. 107:2‑8• 2Let the redeemed of Jehovah say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the oppressor,
 3And gathered out of the countries, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the sea.
 4They wandered in the wilderness in a desert way, they found no city of habitation;
 5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them:
 6Then they cried unto Jehovah in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses,
 7And he led them forth by a right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
 8Let them give thanks unto Jehovah for his loving-kindness, and for his wondrous works to the children of men; (Psa. 107:2‑8)
;
Psa. 143:8‑10• 8Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning, for in thee do I confide; make me to know the way wherein I should walk, for unto thee do I lift up my soul.
 9Deliver me, O Jehovah, from mine enemies: unto thee do I flee for refuge.
 10Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: let thy good Spirit lead me in a plain country. (Psa. 143:8‑10)
;
Prov. 3:6• 6in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths. (Prov. 3:6)
;
Isa. 30:21• 21And when ye turn to the right hand or when ye turn to the left, thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it. (Isa. 30:21)
;
Isa. 35:8• 8And a highway shall be there and a way, and it shall be called, The way of holiness: the unclean shall not pass through it; but it shall be for these. Those that go this way--even fools,--shall not err therein. (Isa. 35:8)
;
Isa. 42:16• 16And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not, in paths that they know not will I lead them; I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. (Isa. 42:16)
;
Isa. 49:10• 10They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor sun smite them; for he that hath mercy on them will lead them, and by the springs of water will he guide them. (Isa. 49:10)
;
Jer. 10:23• 23I know, Jehovah, that the way of man is not his own; it is not in a man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jer. 10:23)
for our little ones.
Num. 14:3,31• 3And why is Jehovah bringing us to this land that we may fall by the sword, that our wives and our little ones may become a prey? Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?
 31But your little ones, of whom ye said they should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land that ye have despised. (Num. 14:3,31)
;
Psa. 8:2• 2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established praise because of thine adversaries, to still the enemy and the avenger. (Psa. 8:2)
;
Mark 10:13‑16• 13And they brought little children to him that he might touch them. But the disciples rebuked those that brought them.
 14But Jesus seeing it, was indignant, and said to them, Suffer the little children to come to me; forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.
 15Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter into it.
 16And having taken them in his arms, having laid his hands on them, he blessed them. (Mark 10:13‑16)
;
Acts 2:39• 39For to you is the promise and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God may call. (Acts 2:39)
• It cannot be I and God, or even God and I, it must be all God; and so they fasted and humbled themselves before their God. (“Fasting by the River of Ahava - Ezra 8:21-23” by N. Simon)
• Fasting results from putting the flesh in its true place, a place of death. What need is there to feed a dead man? (“Fasting by the River of Ahava - Ezra 8:21-23” by N. Simon)
• Ezra, therefore, would have all searched by the light of God's holy presence, that they might learn that nothing would avail to protect and guide them in their journey, and nothing could sustain them by the way or in their after-service but the good hand of their God. Thus it was that he and they together fasted, afflicted their souls, and prayed. (“The Book of Ezra: Restoration From Babylon: Ezra 8” by E. Dennett)
• Acts 13:1, 2. If there were but a revival of such a practice in the power of the Holy Ghost (for to imitate it without the power would be worse than useless), far larger results from service in teaching and ministry might be confidently anticipated. (“The Book of Ezra: Restoration From Babylon: Ezra 8” by E. Dennett)

J. N. Darby Translation

+
21
And I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humbleb ourselves before our God, to seek of him a rightc way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

JND Translation Notes

+
b
Or "afflict."
c
Or "plain."