Ezra 8:21
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Original Language Analysis
וָֽאֶקְרָ֨א
Then I proclaimed
H7121
וָֽאֶקְרָ֨א
Then I proclaimed
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 17
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
שָׁ֥ם
H8033
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַנָּהָ֣ר
there at the river
H5104
הַנָּהָ֣ר
there at the river
Strong's:
H5104
Word #:
5 of 17
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
לְהִתְעַנּ֖וֹת
that we might afflict
H6031
לְהִתְעַנּ֖וֹת
that we might afflict
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
7 of 17
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
לִפְנֵ֣י
ourselves before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
ourselves before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
9 of 17
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
לְבַקֵּ֤שׁ
to seek
H1245
לְבַקֵּ֤שׁ
to seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
10 of 17
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙
H4480
מִמֶּ֙נּוּ֙
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
way
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
12 of 17
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וּלְטַפֵּ֖נוּ
for us and for our little ones
H2945
וּלְטַפֵּ֖נוּ
for us and for our little ones
Strong's:
H2945
Word #:
15 of 17
a family (mostly used collectively in the singular)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 20:3And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.Joel 1:14Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,Isaiah 30:21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.1 Samuel 7:6And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.Jonah 3:5So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.Leviticus 23:29For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.Leviticus 16:29And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:Isaiah 42:16And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.Psalms 5:8Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.Ezra 8:15And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.
Historical Context
The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem took four months (7:9: departing first month, arriving fifth month) and crossed the Syrian desert, a route notorious for bandits. Caravans typically requested military escorts from Persian authorities. Ezra's decision to travel without armed guard (explained in v. 22) was extraordinarily risky—his caravan carried 24 tons of silver and 3.75 tons of gold (vv. 26-27), an immense fortune that would attract raiders. The fast expressed desperate dependence on God's protection where human means were rejected.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Ezra's proclamation of corporate fasting teach about leading vulnerable communities through dangerous transitions?
- How does including 'little ones and substance' in prayer demonstrate comprehensive trust rather than spiritual escapism?
- In what ways should modern believers practice 'afflicting ourselves before God' when facing overwhelming challenges?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava—קָרָא צוֹם (qara tzom, proclaimed a fast) was a formal召集 of communal humiliation before God. The צוֹם (fast) involved abstaining from food and water to focus entirely on prayer, typically during crisis (Judges 20:26, 1 Samuel 7:6, Joel 2:12-13). That we might afflict ourselves before our God—לְהִתְעַנּוֹת (l'hitannot, to humble/afflict oneself) means voluntary self-humbling, recognizing human weakness and dependence on divine strength. לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהֵינוּ (lifnei Eloheinu, before our God) indicates covenantal approach—they come as His people seeking His help.
To seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance—בַּקֵּשׁ (baqesh, to seek) means earnest petition, not casual request. The דֶּרֶךְ יְשָׁרָה (derekh yesharah, right/level way) implies both physical safe passage and moral guidance. The inclusion of טַף (taf, little ones/children) and רְכוּשׁ (rekush, substance/possessions) shows comprehensive concern—this wasn't just Ezra's personal journey but an entire community's vulnerable migration with women, children, and all their wealth through 900 miles of bandit-infested territory.