Ezra 8:18

Authorized King James Version

And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיָּבִ֨יאּוּ

H935

upon us they brought

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לָ֜נוּ

כְּיַד

H3027

hand

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

אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ

H430

of our God

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

הַטּוֹבָ֤ה

H2896

And by the good

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אִ֣ישׁ

H376

us a man

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

שֶׂ֔כֶל

H7922

of understanding

intelligence; by implication, success

וּבָנָ֥יו

H1121

of the sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#10

מַחְלִ֔י

H4249

of Mahli

machli, the name of two israelites

#11

וּבָנָ֥יו

H1121

of the sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#12

לֵוִ֖י

H3878

of Levi

levi, a son of jacob

#13

וּבָנָ֥יו

H1121

of the sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#14

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#15

וְשֵׁרֵ֥בְיָ֛ה

H8274

and Sherebiah

sherebjah, the name of two israelites

#16

וּבָנָ֥יו

H1121

of the sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#17

וְאֶחָ֖יו

H251

and his brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#18

שְׁמֹנָ֥ה

H8083

eighteen

a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth

#19

עָשָֽׂר׃

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezra Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?