Ezra 8:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →By God's good hand the delegation returns with a capable man and Sherebiah's family, eighteen in all.
What Does Ezra 8:18 Mean?
The mission succeeds, and Ezra credits it plainly to the good hand of our God upon us. They return with a discerning man descended from Levi himself, along with Sherebiah and eighteen of his sons and kinsmen, exactly the Levites the company had lacked.
Ezra sees God's providence behind every answered need. The men did the asking, but God moved the hearts that responded. This phrase, the good hand of our God, becomes the heartbeat of the chapter: human effort and divine favor working together, with God receiving the thanks.
Ezra 8:18 in the Original Language
yad-tovah (יָד טוֹבָה), 'good hand' -- a vivid picture of God's favor and protective care actively at work.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 8:18
What does Ezra 8:18 mean?
By God's good hand the delegation returns with a capable man and Sherebiah's family, eighteen in all.