Ezra 7:9
For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֗י
H3588
כִּ֗י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וּבְאֶחָ֞ד
For upon the first
H259
וּבְאֶחָ֞ד
For upon the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן
day of the first
H7223
הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן
day of the first
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
4 of 18
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
ה֣וּא
H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 18
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הַֽמַּעֲלָ֖ה
he to go up
H4609
הַֽמַּעֲלָ֖ה
he to go up
Strong's:
H4609
Word #:
7 of 18
elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o
מִבָּבֶ֑ל
from Babylon
H894
מִבָּבֶ֑ל
from Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
8 of 18
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וּבְאֶחָ֞ד
For upon the first
H259
וּבְאֶחָ֞ד
For upon the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
he to Jerusalem
H3389
יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
he to Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
14 of 18
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
כְּיַד
hand
H3027
כְּיַד
hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֱלֹהָ֖יו
of his God
H430
אֱלֹהָ֖יו
of his God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 18
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
Cross References
Ezra 7:6This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.Nehemiah 2:8And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.Nehemiah 2:18Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
Historical Context
Beginning travel on Nisan 1 (April) avoided winter rains and spring flooding. It also held symbolic significance—the month of Exodus and Passover, types of redemption. Ezra's journey thus recapitulated Israel's fundamental redemptive experience. The phrase 'good hand of his God' emphasizes not mere success but divine blessing and favor. This language appears throughout Ezra-Nehemiah, creating theological framework emphasizing providence over chance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does timing the journey to match Exodus patterns demonstrate biblical theology shaping practical decisions?
- What does repeated emphasis on God's 'good hand' teach about attributing success to divine grace rather than human merit?
Analysis & Commentary
The departure date—'upon the first day of the first month'—aligned with Israel's religious calendar (Nisan, the month of Passover and Exodus). This timing associated Ezra's journey with redemption theology. The arrival date—'the first day of the fifth month'—exactly four months later demonstrates both planning and providence. The statement 'according to the good hand of his God upon him' appears twice (vv. 6, 9), emphasizing divine favor as the true source of success.