Ezra 8:23
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.
Original Language Analysis
וַנְּבַקְשָׁ֥ה
and besought
H1245
וַנְּבַקְשָׁ֥ה
and besought
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
2 of 7
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
מֵֽאֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ
our God
H430
מֵֽאֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 7
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 #:
4 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Ezra 8:31Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.1 Chronicles 5:20And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.Deuteronomy 4:29But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.Esther 4:16Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.Daniel 9:3And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Historical Context
Answered prayer became crucial testimony in post-exilic Judaism, when prophetic revelation had largely ceased and God's presence felt less immediate than in temple/monarchy periods. Ezra's narrative provided concrete example of divine intervention in response to corporate prayer, shaping Jewish piety toward intense petitionary prayer and fasting during crisis. The pattern established here—corporate fast, earnest petition, divine response—became model for later Jewish practice in times of national danger.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's being 'entreated' reveal about His character—sovereign yet responsive to humble prayer?
- How should Ezra's simple testimony ('we prayed, He answered') shape our expectations in prayer?
- In what ways does corporate fasting strengthen community faith more than individual prayer alone?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us—וַנָּצוּמָה וַנְּבַקְשָׁה (vanatzumah vanvaqeshah, so we fasted and we sought) are consecutive imperfects indicating completed actions: they did fast, they did seek. The מֵאֱלֹהֵינוּ (me-Eloheinu, from our God) shows covenant appeal—they approached as His people with legitimate claim on His covenant faithfulness. And he was intreated of us—וַיֵּעָתֵר לָנוּ (vayye'ater lanu, and He was entreated by us) is remarkable: God's response to humble petition. The verb עָתַר (atar) means 'to pray, make supplication,' but in niphal (as here) means 'to be entreated, be responsive to prayer.'
This terse statement carries profound theological weight: the sovereign God who needs nothing allowed Himself to be moved by His people's prayer. Their fast wasn't manipulative ritual but genuine self-humbling that God chose to honor. The verse's brevity makes it more powerful—no lengthy description of answered prayer, just simple affirmation: we prayed, He answered. This testimony would later embolden the remnant community when facing opposition (Nehemiah 4:4-5, 9).