Ezra 8 18

Ezra 8:18 kjv

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;

Ezra 8:18 nkjv

Then, 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, namely Sherebiah, with his sons and brothers, eighteen men;

Ezra 8:18 niv

Because the gracious hand of our God was on us, they brought us Sherebiah, a capable man, from the descendants of Mahli son of Levi, the son of Israel, and Sherebiah's sons and brothers, 18 in all;

Ezra 8:18 esv

And by the good hand of our God on us, they brought us a man of discretion, of the sons of Mahli the son of Levi, son of Israel, namely Sherebiah with his sons and kinsmen, 18;

Ezra 8:18 nlt

Since the gracious hand of our God was on us, they sent us a man named Sherebiah, along with eighteen of his sons and brothers. He was a very astute man and a descendant of Mahli, who was a descendant of Levi son of Israel.

Ezra 8 verses

Ezra 8 18 Meaning

Ezra 8:18 describes God's gracious intervention in response to Ezra's earlier challenge to find Levites for the temple service. By God's favor and empowering hand, they were led to find a wise and skilled man from the lineage of Mahli, a descendant of Levi and Israel. This significant individual, identified as Sherebiah, brought with him eighteen other men, consisting of his sons and brethren, thus providing the much-needed Levites for the spiritual and practical needs of the second temple and the journey to Jerusalem.

Ezra 8 18 Context

Ezra 8 details the second wave of exiles returning to Jerusalem from Babylon under Ezra's leadership, decades after the first return under Zerubbabel. Prior to this verse, Ezra had gathered the returnees at the canal of Ahava. While reviewing the group, he realized a severe lack of Levites among them (Ezra 8:15), who were crucial for temple service, worship, and carrying the vessels back to Jerusalem. Ezra promptly dispatched leading men to Iddo at Casiphia, a place where many Levites and Nethenim resided, with an urgent plea for temple servants (Ezra 8:17). Ezra 8:18 is the direct response to that desperate request, illustrating God's immediate and effective answer through His providence. This verse highlights the divine intervention required to fulfill the mission, emphasizing that the crucial men were found "by the good hand of our God."

Ezra 8 18 Word analysis

• And by the good hand of our God upon us:

  • "And by the good hand": The Hebrew phrase is u'veyad tovah, implying not just a generic "hand" but active, favorable, and effective intervention. It signifies divine blessing, provision, and guidance. It highlights God's initiative and supernatural enablement. This is a common idiom for God's favor in Ezra-Nehemiah (Ezra 7:6, 7:9, Neh 2:8). It directly refutes the idea of chance or purely human effort.
  • "of our God": Emphasizes a covenantal relationship. It underscores that the Lord, the God of Israel, is personally involved in their lives and mission.
  • "upon us": Signifies God's active working specifically for the benefit and support of Ezra and his contingent, empowering them for the difficult task of resettlement and temple restoration.

• they brought us:

  • This indicates the result of God's 'good hand.' While Ezra's delegates were sent (Ezra 8:17), the finding of such a vital person is attributed not merely to human diligence but to God's arrangement, orchestrating circumstances and hearts. It's a passive construction, underscoring that the men were provided to them.

• a man of understanding:

  • The Hebrew ish maskil (איש משכיל) means a discerning, wise, or skillful person. Maskil often refers to one who is learned, possesses spiritual insight, or has a special skill set, especially relating to temple music or teaching. It suggests competence and capability beyond mere physical presence, implying spiritual and administrative acumen crucial for Levitical service.

• of the sons of Mahli:

  • Identifies his specific lineage within the tribe of Levi. Mahli was a son of Merari, who was one of the three main sons of Levi (Num 3:20). This genealogical precision confirms his legitimacy and the proper qualification for Levitical duties.

• the son of Levi, the son of Israel:

  • Traces the lineage back to Levi, confirming his status as a true Levite. "Son of Israel" (Jacob) roots him deeply within the twelve tribes and the chosen people, affirming his rightful place in the returning community dedicated to the God of Israel. It emphasizes the importance of a pure and documented lineage for temple service.

• and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen:

  • "Sherebiah": This man is not just 'a man of understanding' but is specifically named. His prominence is confirmed by later references where he is active in leading worship and teaching the law (Neh 8:7, 9:4). His name indicates the quality and authority of the man God provided.
  • "with his sons and his brethren, eighteen": This signifies a significant number of Levites arriving with him, comprising not just one individual but an entire family unit or extended kin group ready for service. The number eighteen refers to the count of additional men Sherebiah brought along, totaling 19 men found by the "good hand of God" plus Ezra's initial emissaries to Iddo, making a significant increase to the Levitical ranks for the journey and future temple duties. This highlights not just the quality (Sherebiah) but also the quantity needed for restoration.

Ezra 8 18 Bonus section

The specific lineage from Mahli, son of Merari, is significant because the Merarites were traditionally responsible for the framework of the tabernacle, posts, sockets, pins, cords (Num 3:36-37, 4:31-32), and later for gatekeepers and treasurers in the temple service (1 Chr 26). The provision of an understanding leader from this branch would ensure meticulous and organized management of the temple structure and its vital elements upon their return to Jerusalem. The fact that Sherebiah is named signifies his lasting importance and leadership among the returning community. His name is found repeatedly among prominent Levites who would sign the covenant and participate in worship, affirming the divine foresight in selecting him.

Ezra 8 18 Commentary

Ezra 8:18 stands as a profound testament to divine providence in the face of human inadequacy. When Ezra realized the critical absence of Levites, essential for reinstating proper temple worship and carrying the sacred vessels back to Jerusalem, he understood the task's impossibility without God's direct intervention. His urgent delegation to Iddo was a step of faith, but the successful outcome is unequivocally ascribed to "the good hand of our God." This emphasizes that God doesn't merely bless human efforts; He actively orchestrates and provides what is needed.

The provision of Sherebiah, "a man of understanding," was crucial. This wasn't just any Levite, but a capable, wise, and respected leader who would prove invaluable, as seen in his later roles in Nehemiah, leading worship and teaching the law. His arrival, accompanied by a substantial number of family members, immediately addressed a major deficit, allowing the procession to continue. This verse reinforces the principle that when God's people commit to His work, He faithfully supplies the necessary resources, whether it be spiritual wisdom, physical provision, or the right people for the task. It's a reminder to trust God's sovereignty even when obstacles seem insurmountable, acknowledging that the truest blessings come "by the good hand of our God."

Practical examples:

• A church lacking leaders finding committed volunteers after sincere prayer.
• An individual feeling overwhelmed by a calling discovering unforeseen skills or support from others.
• A difficult ministry task suddenly gaining momentum as key people appear and obstacles are removed.