Ezra 6 22

Ezra 6:22 kjv

And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 6:22 nkjv

And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the LORD made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 6:22 niv

For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the LORD had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 6:22 esv

And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 6:22 nlt

Then they celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. There was great joy throughout the land because the LORD had caused the king of Assyria to be favorable to them, so that he helped them to rebuild the Temple of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 6 verses

Ezra 6 22 Meaning

Ezra 6:22 describes the profound joy and gratitude of the returning exiles in Jerusalem as they celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. This joy stemmed directly from the Lord's intervention, as He had divinely influenced King Darius of Persia (referred to as "the king of Assyria," a term reflecting the common designation for the dominant eastern empire) to support and empower the rebuilding of His temple. The verse emphasizes God's sovereign hand in moving earthly rulers to accomplish His purposes, thereby strengthening the hands of His people in their sacred work for the house of God, the God of Israel.

Ezra 6 22 Context

Ezra chapter 6 marks a pivotal moment in the post-exilic history of Israel. Following an earlier interruption due to opposition and official decrees from Persian kings like Artaxerxes, the prophet Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people and their leaders, Zerubbabel and Jeshua, to resume the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. Upon inquiry by Tattenai, the governor, a search of the royal archives in Ecbatana uncovered Cyrus' original decree that permitted and funded the temple's reconstruction. Consequently, King Darius issued a new, strong edict reaffirming Cyrus's command, providing significant financial support from the royal treasury, and imposing severe penalties for anyone obstructing the work. Ezra 6:15-18 details the joyful completion and dedication of the temple in the sixth year of Darius's reign. Verse 22 then describes the subsequent celebration of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, emphasizing the joy derived from God's active involvement in securing the necessary imperial support for their work.

Ezra 6 22 Word analysis

• And kept (וַעֲבַדוּ֙ - wa'avedū): Aramaic for "they performed" or "they did." It implies carrying out a command or ritual diligently and joyfully. It reflects obedience and active participation in worship, not merely passive observation.

• the feast of unleavened bread (חַ֤גָּא דִפַּטִּירָא֙ - ḥaggāʾ ḏipṭṭīrāʾ): Refers to a seven-day festival immediately following the Passover (which lasted one day). Symbolically, it commemorated Israel's hurried departure from Egypt, leaving no time for leaven to rise in their bread. The absence of leaven (symbolizing sin, malice, and corruption in biblical thought) signified purity and a fresh start. Its celebration here underscores the spiritual cleansing and renewed covenant relationship in the newly rebuilt temple.

• seven days: The prescribed duration of the Feast, emphasizing its completeness and importance. This meticulous adherence signifies their earnest return to biblical observances after generations of exile.

• with joy (בְּחֶדְוָ֖ה - bĕḥeḏwā): More than simple happiness; it signifies deep, spiritual rejoicing and gladness. This joy is a core theme in the verse, explicitly linked to divine enablement.

• for the LORD (כִּ֣י חַדִּ֤יאָה יְהוָה֙ - kî ḥaddîyāʾ YHWH): "For" or "because" the Lord "had made them joyful." This is a crucial theological point. The joy was not merely circumstantial (due to the completed temple or the king's decree) but divinely bestowed. It highlights God as the active source and author of their internal gladness. The name YHWH (the LORD) points to the covenant-keeping God of Israel.

• had made them joyful (חַדִּ֤יאוּתָא - ḥaddiyyūṯā): An active causative verb. God was the direct agent producing their joy. This goes beyond good fortune; it’s an internal, God-given sense of delight and satisfaction in His work and provision.

• and turned (וְהַחְלִ֥ף - wĕhaḥlîf): Aramaic for "he changed," "he caused to pass over," or "he directed." It signifies God's active intervention and redirection of something (in this case, the king's heart). It asserts God's ultimate control over even powerful secular rulers.

• the heart (לִבָּה֙ - libbâ): In ancient Near Eastern thought, the "heart" encompassed not only emotions but also intellect, will, and conscience. God influencing the heart implies He controls a person's thoughts, intentions, and decisions.

• of the king of Assyria (מֶֽלֶךְ אַתּֽוּר - melek 'Āttûr): This is a key historical-theological point. Historically, at this time, the ruling empire was Persia under Darius I. Assyria was a preceding empire that had decimated the Northern Kingdom. "King of Assyria" could be a conventional or broad term in Aramaic for the dominant Eastern power, signifying "the great king," or possibly an anachronism reflecting earlier periods of Israelite history, or even a deliberate theological statement grouping all powerful empires as subservient to Yahweh. Regardless, the intent is clear: God's sovereign power extended even over the mightiest of foreign rulers, here Darius of Persia, who reversed previous hostile policies.

• unto them (עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם - ʿalêhem): "Towards them," indicating the positive orientation of the king's redirected will, benefiting Israel.

• to strengthen their hands (לְחַזָּקָא יְדֵיהֶ֗ם - lĕḥazzāqāʾ yeḏêhem): Idiom meaning to empower, encourage, or enable them to continue and complete the task. God's act through the king directly led to the renewed vigor and ability of the people.

• in the work of the house of God (בַּעֲבִ֥ידַת בֵּית־אֱלָהָֽא - baʿăvîdaṯ bêt-ʾĕlāhā): This phrase clarifies the purpose of the strengthening – it was specifically for the sacred task of building God's dwelling place. This underscores that God's intervention was ultimately for His glory and worship.

• the God of Israel (אֱלָ֣הּ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל - ʾĕlāh Yiśrāʾēl): A profound covenantal title. It emphasizes that Yahweh is uniquely the God who chose, redeemed, and keeps His covenant with Israel. His control over foreign powers and His enablement of His people highlight His faithfulness to His covenant promises.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful": This grouping explicitly links their act of obedience (keeping the feast) with the resultant deep spiritual joy, identifying God as the sole source of this joy. It illustrates the principle that true rejoicing comes from divine action and not merely from human effort or circumstances.
  • "and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands": This highlights divine providence and sovereignty. God’s influence on an pagan monarch directly translates into practical assistance for His people. It reveals God working behind the scenes in the political arena to achieve His purposes for His covenant people.

Ezra 6 22 Bonus section

The mention of "the king of Assyria" is a fascinating textual detail. While it is almost universally understood by scholars that the reference is to Darius I of Persia (who reigned from 522–486 BC, fitting the timeframe of the Temple completion in 516 BC, Ezra 6:15), the choice of "Assyria" could hold several layers of meaning beyond simple anachronism:

1. Generalized Term: In the ancient Near East, "Assyria" may have been a broad, conventional term for the great eastern empire, similar to how "Britain" might be used today to refer to the United Kingdom as a whole, encompassing its historical iterations.
2. Theological Retribution/Continuity: Assyria had historically been the first major empire to lead Israel into exile. The subsequent empires (Babylon, then Persia) built upon this legacy. By having the "king of Assyria" now support Israel, there's a powerful theological irony: the empire that previously shattered them now aids their restoration. This showcases God's absolute control over the rise and fall of nations and His use of instruments of judgment as instruments of grace.
3. Scribal Tradition: Some suggest it might simply reflect a scribal or editorial tendency from earlier traditions, where "King of Assyria" was the archetype for powerful, Gentile monarchs interacting with Israel.

Ultimately, regardless of the precise reason for the naming, the effect of the statement is clear and theologically significant: Yahweh is Lord over all nations and kings, fulfilling His promises through their actions.

Ezra 6 22 Commentary

Ezra 6:22 is a powerful statement of God's overarching sovereignty and His tender care for His people. The joyful celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, immediately after the dedication of the rebuilt Temple, symbolizes a new beginning—a purging of the old and a consecration to God in purity. Their joy was not superficial but a deep spiritual gladness directly "from the Lord." This emphasizes that true joy in worship and service is a divine gift. The remarkable element is how God accomplished this: by turning the heart of the Persian king (referred to as "king of Assyria," a term likely encompassing the ruling eastern superpower). This act demonstrated that no human power, however great, is beyond God's control. He directs the wills of kings, even pagan ones, to serve His ultimate plan of building His house and strengthening His people for His work. It illustrates that seemingly secular political decisions are often instruments of divine providence, allowing God’s covenant people to flourish and fulfill their calling. This profound theological truth reinforced their faith and should serve as an enduring source of encouragement for all who serve the God of Israel.