Ezra 8:21 “And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might hum…”

Ezra 8:21

And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a straight way for us, for our little ones, and for all our possessions.

American Standard Version

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

Geneva Bible 1599

And there at the Riuer, by Ahaua, I proclaimed a fast, that we might humble our selues before our God, and seeke of him a right way for vs, and for our children, and for all our substance.

Darby Translation

And I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

Young's Literal Translation

And I proclaim there a fast, by the river Ahava, to afflict ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a right way for us, and for our infants, and for all our substance,

Bible in Basic English

Then I gave orders for a time of going without food, there by the river Ahava, so that we might make ourselves low before our God in prayer, requesting from him a straight way for us and for our little ones and for all our substance.

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Cross references

“I proclaimed”

2 Chronicles 20:3 Joel 1:14 1 Samuel 7:6 Jonah 3:5 Joel 2:12–18 Judges 20:26

2 Chronicles 20:3 · BSB

Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.

Joel 1:14 · BSB

Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.

1 Samuel 7:6 · BSB

When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

Jonah 3:5 · BSB

And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least.

Joel 2:12–18 · BSB

“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

Judges 20:26 · BSB

Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD.

“afflict ourselves”

Leviticus 16:29 Leviticus 23:29 Isaiah 58:3 Leviticus 16:31 Isaiah 58:5 Jeremiah 31:8

Leviticus 16:29 · BSB

This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you—

Leviticus 23:29 · BSB

If anyone does not humble himself on this day, he must be cut off from his people.

Isaiah 58:3 · BSB

“Why have we fasted, and You have not seen? Why have we humbled ourselves, and You have not noticed?” “Behold, on the day of your fast, you do as you please, and you oppress all your workers.

Leviticus 16:31 · BSB

It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute.

Isaiah 58:5 · BSB

Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?

Jeremiah 31:8 · BSB

Behold, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, including the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor. They will return as a great assembly!

“to seek”

Isaiah 30:21 Psalm 107:2–8 Psalm 143:8–10 Proverbs 3:6 Psalm 5:8 Isaiah 42:16

Isaiah 30:21 · BSB

And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”

Psalm 107:2–8 · BSB

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy

Psalm 143:8–10 · BSB

Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.

Proverbs 3:6 · BSB

in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Psalm 5:8 · BSB

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.

Isaiah 42:16 · BSB

I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These things I will do for them, and I will not for…

“for our little ones”

Mark 10:13–16 Acts 2:39 Numbers 14:3 Numbers 14:31 Psalm 8:2

Mark 10:13–16 · BSB

Now people were bringing the little children to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them, and the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Acts 2:39 · BSB

This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Numbers 14:3 · BSB

Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

Numbers 14:31 · BSB

But I will bring your children, whom you said would become plunder, into the land you have rejected—and they will enjoy it.

Psalm 8:2 · BSB

From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.

Also

Ezra 8:15 Ezra 8:31

Ezra 8:15 · BSB

Now I assembled these exiles at the canal that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And when I searched among the people and priests, I found no Levites there.

Ezra 8:31 · BSB

On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem, and the hand of our God was upon us to protect us from the hands of the enemies and bandits along the way.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

20They also brought 220 of the temple servants, all designated by name. David and the officials had appointed them to assist the Levites.

22For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.”

Read Ezra 8