Ezra 8:22
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בֹ֗שְׁתִּי
For I was ashamed
H954
בֹ֗שְׁתִּי
For I was ashamed
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
לִשְׁא֤וֹל
to require
H7592
לִשְׁא֤וֹל
to require
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
3 of 25
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
חַ֣יִל
a band of soldiers
H2428
חַ֣יִל
a band of soldiers
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
6 of 25
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
וּפָֽרָשִׁ֔ים
and horsemen
H6571
וּפָֽרָשִׁ֔ים
and horsemen
Strong's:
H6571
Word #:
7 of 25
a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e., (collectively) cavalry
בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ
in the way
H1870
בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ
in the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 25
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
11 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יַד
The hand
H3027
יַד
The hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 25
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
אֱלֹהֵ֤ינוּ
of our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֤ינוּ
of our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
16 of 25
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
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
18 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְבַקְשָׁיו֙
that seek
H1245
מְבַקְשָׁיו֙
that seek
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
19 of 25
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
לְטוֹבָ֔ה
is upon all them for good
H2896
לְטוֹבָ֔ה
is upon all them for good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
20 of 25
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
וְעֻזּ֣וֹ
him but his power
H5797
וְעֻזּ֣וֹ
him but his power
Strong's:
H5797
Word #:
21 of 25
strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
וְאַפּ֔וֹ
and his wrath
H639
וְאַפּ֔וֹ
and his wrath
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
23 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
1 Peter 3:12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.Lamentations 3:25The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.2 Chronicles 15:2And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.Psalms 34:22The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.1 Chronicles 28:9And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.Hebrews 10:38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.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.Ezra 7:28And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
Historical Context
Artaxerxes' decree (7:11-26) authorized Ezra's journey and provided lavish funding but didn't mandate military escort—that was Ezra's decision to refuse. Ancient Near Eastern roads were dangerous; Persian royal roads had guard posts, but caravan attacks were common. Ezra's theological conviction that requesting military escort would dishonor his testimony to the king put him in extraordinary position: he'd publicly staked God's reputation on protecting them, then had to trust that claim with 1,500+ lives and vast treasure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Ezra's refusal of military escort challenge modern Christian pragmatism that neglects faith-risk for security?
- In what ways does public testimony about God's faithfulness create accountability to trust Him when crisis tests that claim?
- What is the difference between wise stewardship (planning) and faithless self-reliance (refusing to trust God's provision)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy—בּוֹשְׁתִּי (boshti, I was ashamed) reveals Ezra's ethical dilemma. Requesting חַיִל וּפָרָשִׁים (chayil u'farashim, force and horsemen—military escort) would have been diplomatically appropriate and prudent, but Ezra felt it would contradict his testimony. The בּוֹשׁ (shame) isn't embarrassment but moral inconsistency—how could he request human protection after declaring divine protection sufficient?
Because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him—כִּי־אָמַרְנוּ לַמֶּלֶךְ (ki-amarnu lamelekh, for we had said to the king) references Ezra's earlier testimony to Artaxerxes (7:27-28). The יַד־אֱלֹהֵינוּ (yad-Eloheinu, hand of our God) on מְבַקְשָׁיו (mevaqshav, those seeking Him) promises protection. But his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him—עֻזּוֹ וְאַפּוֹ (uzzo v'appo, His power and His anger) threatens לְעֹזְבָיו (l'ozevav, those forsaking Him). Ezra had made God's faithfulness a testimony to the pagan king; now he must live consistently with that witness, however risky. Faith's public confession creates accountability to trust God in crisis.