What Does Ezra 8:21 Mean?
Then I called a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might bend low before our God, to seek from him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
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.THE KEY
The word translated “right” is rooted in straightness, and this straight way is sought for the whole household, children and possessions included.
THE MEANING
The fast and self-affliction stand alongside a search for direction from God. The requested way extends to the little ones and all the household’s substance, placing its people and material life within the search.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that guidance concerns only a private spiritual life: the requested way includes children and everything the household possesses.
THE ROOT
יְשָׁרָה
yĕsharah
GROWS FROM
ישר
To be straight, level, or upright.
“straight way” in this verse is yĕsharah. The word translated “right” comes from ישר (yashar, to be straight or upright). Its branches include מִישׁוֹר (mishor, level ground) and יֹשֶׁר (yosher, uprightness), so the requested way carries the sense of directness made walkable.
ALSO GROWS
mishor: Level ground; a plain.
מִישׁוֹר
This branch shares the root’s consonants and pictures a way made level enough to travel.
yosher: Uprightness; rectitude.
יֹשֶׁר
This branch shares the root’s consonants and connects a straight path with uprightness.
THE PATTERN
When the way is uncertain, scripture pictures direction as a path made straight before God and kept walkable for others.
Lean your full weight upon the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, perceive him, and he straightens your paths.A voice calls out in the wilderness, Clear the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a raised road for our God.And make straight tracks for your feet, so that what limps may not be turned aside, but rather be healed.THE THREAD
A voice calls out in the wilderness, Clear the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a raised road for our God.Ezra’s “right” and Isaiah’s “make straight” share ישר (yashar, to be straight or upright). Ezra seeks that straight way for the household; Isaiah pictures the same straightening as preparation for God’s way.
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