Ezra 8:36

KJV

And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they delivered {H5414} the king's {H4428} commissions {H1881} unto the king's {H4428} lieutenants {H323}, and to the governors {H6346} on this side {H5676} the river {H5104}: and they furthered {H5375} the people {H5971}, and the house {H1004} of God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They also delivered the king's orders to the king's viceroys and governors beyond the [Euphrates] River; and these gave their support to the people and to the house of God.

Berean Standard Bible

They also delivered the king’s edicts to the royal satraps and governors of the region west of the Euphrates, who proceeded to assist the people and the house of God.

American Standard Version

And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors beyond the River: and they furthered the people and the house of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 8:36 marks the successful culmination of Ezra's administrative efforts upon arriving in the Persian province of Judah, demonstrating how divine providence orchestrated support for the returning exiles and the rebuilding of the Temple. Having delivered King Artaxerxes' official decrees, the Jewish leaders secured the cooperation of regional Persian officials, who actively "furthered" the people and the sacred work of restoring the house of God in Jerusalem, underscoring God's ability to work through secular authorities to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the triumphant conclusion to the narrative of Ezra's perilous journey from Babylon to Jerusalem, detailed in [Ezra 7-8](/ezra/7 "Ezra 7-8 - Ezra's Journey to Jerusalem"). It immediately follows the successful arrival of Ezra and the exiles in Jerusalem, having previously committed themselves and the valuable Temple treasures to God's protection rather than requesting a military escort from the king, as recounted in [Ezra 8:22](/ezra/8-22 "Ezra 8:22 - Ezra's Trust in God's Protection"). The delivery of the king's commissions signifies the official establishment of their authority and mission, setting the stage for the subsequent actions of purification and community restoration that unfold in the latter chapters of the book, particularly the handling of the mixed marriages in [Ezra 9-10](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9-10 - Ezra's Prayer and the Problem of Mixed Marriages"). This verse acts as a bridge, concluding the travel narrative and initiating the administrative phase of Ezra's work.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Ezra 8:36 is the vast Persian Empire during the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-424 BC). The phrase "on this side the river" refers to the satrapy of Trans-Euphrates (Aramaic: _Abar-Nahara_), a significant administrative region west of the Euphrates River that encompassed Judah. The "king's lieutenants" (satraps) and "governors" were high-ranking Persian officials responsible for governing these provinces, collecting taxes, and enforcing royal decrees. The "king's commissions" were official royal edicts, carrying the full weight of the emperor's authority. In the ancient Near East, such documents were crucial for securing safe passage, resources, and cooperation, demonstrating the practical wisdom of Ezra in leveraging secular authority even while maintaining profound trust in divine protection. This interaction highlights the intricate political landscape in which the returning exiles operated.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 8:36 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Ezra and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Providence and Favor**, showing God's sovereign hand at work, influencing powerful rulers like Artaxerxes to issue decrees that directly benefited His people and their sacred mission. This echoes the biblical truth that "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will," as stated in [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - God's Sovereignty Over Kings"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Secular Authority Supporting Spiritual Endeavors**. The compliance of the Persian officials meant that the Jewish returnees received official backing and resources, ensuring that the work of restoring the community and the Temple could proceed without hindrance, demonstrating how God can use even non-believing authorities to accomplish His purposes. Finally, it emphasizes the **Importance of Official Recognition and Practical Wisdom**. While Ezra's faith in God's protection was paramount, he also acted with shrewdness, utilizing the king's official decrees to navigate the political landscape, providing the legal authority needed to overcome potential opposition and secure cooperation from local administrators for the "house of God" in Jerusalem, a mission also supported by earlier decrees as seen in [Ezra 6:14](/ezra/6-14 "Ezra 6:14 - Completion of the Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Commissions (Aramaic, _dâth'_):** This term (H1881) refers to a royal edict or statute, a commandment, or a decree. In this context, it signifies the authoritative documents issued by King Artaxerxes I, granting Ezra and the Jewish returnees legal permission, protection, and resources for their journey and the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. The delivery of these commissions was a formal act, establishing the legitimacy of their mission within the Persian administrative structure and ensuring their activities were recognized and supported by the established secular authority.
* **Lieutenants (Aramaic, _ʼăchashdarpan'_):** This word (H323) refers to a satrap or governor of a main province of Persia. These were high-ranking provincial governors appointed by the Persian king, holding significant power and authority over vast regions of the empire. Their inclusion alongside "governors on this side the river" emphasizes the broad and high-level support Ezra received across the Trans-Euphrates satrapy, indicating that the royal decree was communicated to the highest levels of regional administration.
* **Furthered (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** This verb (H5375) means to lift, bear, support, or assist. It implies active cooperation and practical help extended by the Persian officials to the Jewish people and their sacred task. It denotes more than mere passive permission; it indicates active facilitation, such as providing resources, ensuring safe passage, or removing administrative or local obstacles, thus enabling the spiritual and communal restoration to proceed unhindered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river":** This clause describes the formal presentation of the royal decrees by Ezra and his delegates to the highest-ranking Persian officials in the Trans-Euphrates region. This act was crucial for legitimizing their presence and mission, ensuring that their activities were recognized and supported by the established secular authority, thereby preventing potential obstruction or conflict. It underscores the importance of proper administrative procedure even when operating under divine mandate, showcasing Ezra's practical wisdom alongside his faith.
* **"and they furthered the people, and the house of God."**: This clause reveals the positive outcome of delivering the commissions. The Persian officials, compelled by the king's authority, actively provided assistance and support to the Jewish returnees ("the people") and, more specifically, to the work of rebuilding and re-establishing the Temple ("the house of God"). This "furthering" would have included ensuring safe passage, providing necessary resources, and removing any administrative or local obstacles, thus enabling the spiritual and communal restoration to proceed unhindered and demonstrating God's ability to work through unexpected channels.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 8:36 employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. The phrase "**the house of God**" functions as a **Metonymy**, where the physical structure of the Temple stands in for the entire religious and communal life of Israel centered around worship and the divine presence. The verse also serves as a **Narrative Climax and Resolution** for the journey section of Ezra, providing a satisfying conclusion to the account of Ezra's trust in God's protection during the perilous trip. The successful delivery of the commissions and the subsequent support from pagan officials highlight a **Divine Irony or Paradox**: God's people, who relied solely on Him, are ultimately aided by the very secular powers that had previously held them captive. This demonstrates God's sovereign ability to use any means, even those seemingly opposed to His people, to accomplish His redemptive purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 8:36 is a profound testament to God's sovereign control over all earthly powers and His faithfulness to His covenant people. It illustrates that divine providence is not limited to miraculous interventions but often works through the ordinary channels of human governance and administration. God can incline the hearts of kings and officials, even those who do not acknowledge Him, to serve His purposes, ensuring the advancement of His kingdom work. This challenges believers to recognize God's hand in unexpected places and to trust that He is orchestrating events behind the scenes, even in complex political or social landscapes. The support given to "the people, and the house of God" underscores God's commitment to the restoration of His community and the sanctity of His dwelling place, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises.

* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Isaiah 45:1-3](/isaiah/45-1-3 "Isaiah 45:1-3 - God's Anointed Cyrus")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 8:36 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Firstly, it reminds us that God works through diverse channels, not just overtly spiritual ones. We should not limit our expectation of God's provision to only religious means; He can and does use secular systems, governments, and even individuals who do not acknowledge Him, to further His kingdom work. This calls for a broader perspective on divine activity in the world. Secondly, Ezra's example teaches us that wisdom and faith go hand-in-hand. While his faith in God's protection was paramount, he also exercised practical wisdom by securing the necessary civil authority through the king's commissions. Believers are called to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves," as Jesus instructed in [Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves"), combining deep trust in God with prudent action in the world. Finally, just as the Persian officials "furthered the people, and the house of God," we are called to support the work of the church and the spread of the Gospel, whether through our resources, time, or influence. This verse is a powerful reminder that God delights in the advancement of His kingdom, and He often uses His people, in conjunction with His sovereign orchestration of external circumstances, to achieve it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Ezra's example of combining faith with practical wisdom challenge my approach to ministry or daily life?**
* **In what unexpected ways might God be working through secular channels to accomplish His purposes in my life or community?**
* **How can I actively "further the people and the house of God" in my current context, whether through prayer, resources, or influence?**

### FAQ
**What does "on this side the river" mean?**

Answer: "On this side the river" refers to the region west of the Euphrates River, known in Aramaic as Trans-Euphrates or Abar-Nahara. This was a significant satrapy (province) within the vast Persian Empire. The mention of officials from this region highlights the extensive reach of King Artaxerxes' authority and the broad geographical scope of the support Ezra received, ensuring his mission was recognized and aided across a vast territory. This geographical detail underscores the wide-ranging administrative cooperation Ezra secured.

**Why did Ezra need "commissions" if he trusted God for protection?**

Answer: While Ezra famously demonstrated profound faith by refusing a military escort and trusting God for protection on the dangerous journey, as recorded in [Ezra 8:22](/ezra/8-22 "Ezra 8:22 - Ezra's Trust in God's Protection"), he also exercised practical wisdom. The "commissions" were official royal decrees that provided legal authority and administrative recognition. These documents were crucial for navigating the political landscape, securing cooperation from local officials, and ensuring that the work of rebuilding the Temple and community could proceed without legal or bureaucratic hindrance, as outlined in [Ezra 7:11-26](/ezra/7-11-26 "Ezra 7:11-26 - Artaxerxes' Decree to Ezra"). God often works through both supernatural provision and human prudence, and Ezra's actions exemplify this balance, showing that faith does not negate the need for responsible and wise action.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 8:36, with its depiction of pagan rulers unwittingly serving God's redemptive purposes, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the universal kingship of Jesus Christ. The earthly support provided by Artaxerxes' officials to the "house of God" foreshadows the ultimate building of the spiritual temple, the Church, through Christ's redemptive work. Christ's kingdom is not of this world, yet He holds all authority in heaven and on earth, as declared in [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus"), sovereignly using earthly means, including governments and societal structures, to advance His eternal purposes. The "furthering" of the people and the house of God in Ezra's day culminates in Christ's ongoing work of building His Church, which is His body and the new Temple of God, as described in [Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22-23 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church") and [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple"). Just as the Persian officials were instrumental in Ezra's mission, so too does Christ, the "King of kings and Lord of lords" ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")), orchestrate all things, even the actions of secular authorities and unexpected circumstances, to ensure the spiritual growth and global expansion of His Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth, as promised in [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 7:21

And I, [even] I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which [are] beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily,

Ezra 7:24

Also we certify you, that touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, porters, Nethinims, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or custom, upon them.

Ezra 4:7

And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter [was] written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue.

Ezra 4:23

Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter [was] read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power.

Acts 18:27

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

Ezra 6:13

¶ Then Tatnai, governor on this side the river, Shetharboznai, and their companions, according to that which Darius the king had sent, so they did speedily.

Esther 9:3

And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them.