Ezra 8:23

So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.

So we fasted {H6684} and besought {H1245} our God {H430} for this: and he was intreated {H6279} of us.

So we fasted and asked our God for this, and he answered our prayer.

So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request.

So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us.

Ezra 8:23 describes a pivotal moment during the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra. This verse encapsulates their profound reliance on God for protection during a perilous journey, highlighting the power of prayer and fasting.

Context

Before embarking on the dangerous journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, carrying immense wealth for the Temple, Ezra faced a dilemma. He had previously boasted to King Artaxerxes about God's protective hand on those who sought Him, and His wrath on those who forsook Him (Ezra 8:22). Due to this declaration, Ezra felt ashamed to request a military escort from the king, as it would imply a lack of faith in the very God he proclaimed. Therefore, he gathered the people at the river Ahava for a period of spiritual preparation, culminating in the actions described in this verse.

Key Themes

  • Absolute Reliance on God: Rather than human security, Ezra and the exiles placed their full trust in divine protection. This act of faith underscored their conviction that God alone could safeguard them from the dangers of the road, which was known for ambushes by enemies and robbers.
  • The Power of Prayer and Fasting: The verse emphasizes their corporate spiritual discipline. Fasting was a common practice in ancient Israel, often accompanying earnest prayer to signify humility, deep repentance, and intense supplication before God. It demonstrated their seriousness and desperation in seeking God's intervention for their safety.
  • God's Faithfulness to Answer: The phrase "and he was intreated of us" is a powerful affirmation. It testifies that God heard their sincere cries and responded favorably, granting them the protection they sought. This outcome reinforces the biblical truth that God is attentive to the prayers of His people and honors their humble reliance on Him.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "besought our God" comes from the Hebrew word baqash (בָּקַשׁ), which means to seek, search, or earnestly request. It conveys a sense of diligent and fervent seeking. The phrase "he was intreated of us" uses the Hebrew term 'athar (עָתַר), which implies being prevailed upon, granting favor, or responding to supplication. This highlights God's gracious willingness to respond to the earnest prayers of His people, showing that their humble entreaty found favor in His sight.

Practical Application

Ezra 8:23 offers timeless lessons for believers today. When facing daunting challenges, uncertain paths, or significant undertakings, this verse encourages us to:

  • Prioritize God: Before seeking human solutions or relying on personal strength, turn to God in humble dependence. This models a life where faith precedes action, especially in moments of great need.
  • Engage in Spiritual Discipline: Like Ezra and the exiles, consider how prayer and fasting can deepen your reliance on God and clarify His will for your circumstances. Other biblical figures also resorted to earnest prayer and fasting when facing crises, such as Nehemiah in his prayer for Jerusalem or Daniel in his intercession for Israel.
  • Trust in God's Response: Have confidence that when you genuinely seek God, He hears and will respond according to His perfect will, often providing supernatural protection and guidance. This echoes the truth that God is our "very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 29:12

    Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

  • Jeremiah 29:13

    And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

  • Matthew 7:7

    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

  • Matthew 7:8

    For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:12

    And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,

  • 2 Chronicles 33:13

    And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he [was] God.

  • Ezra 8:31

    ¶ Then 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.
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