King James Version

What Does Ezra 6:22 Mean?

Ezra 6:22 in the King James Version says “And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of t... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

20

For the priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the passover for all the children of the captivity, and for their brethren the priests, and for themselves.

21

And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

22

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy—חַג הַמַּצּוֹת (chag hamatzot, feast of unleavened bread) commemorates the Exodus deliverance (Exodus 12:15-20). The שִׂמְחָה (simchah, joy) marks a profound emotional shift from the weeping at the temple foundation (3:12-13) to exuberant celebration at its completion. This seven-day observance following Passover signified the community's full restoration to covenant worship patterns established in the Mosaic law.

For the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them—the phrase 'king of Assyria' referring to the Persian king Darius is historically jarring (Assyria had fallen in 609 BC), but reflects either popular usage for any Mesopotamian monarch or theological irony: the empire that once destroyed Israel now funds its restoration. The הֵסֵב (hesev, turned) is divine causation—God sovereignly influences pagan rulers to accomplish His covenant purposes, echoing Proverbs 21:1. To strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God—חִזֵּק (chizzeq, strengthen) appears throughout Ezra-Nehemiah for divine and human encouragement in temple-building (Ezra 1:6, 6:22, Nehemiah 2:18, 6:9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The temple dedication occurred in 515 BC, seventy years after its destruction (586 BC), fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10). Persian King Darius I had not only permitted the work to continue (6:1-12) but funded it from royal treasury and threatened severe punishment for any who hindered it (6:8-11). This astonishing imperial support vindicated the prophets Haggai and Zechariah who urged the discouraged returnees to resume building (Ezra 5:1-2).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's sovereign control over pagan rulers (Darius) encourage believers facing hostile political environments?
  2. What does the transformation from weeping (3:12-13) to joy (6:22) teach about God's faithfulness through discouragement to completion?
  3. In what ways should completed gospel work result in communal celebration similar to Israel's feast observance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂ֧וּ1 of 21

And kept

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

חַג2 of 21

the feast

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

מַצּ֛וֹת3 of 21

of unleavened bread

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

שִׁבְעַ֥ת4 of 21

seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יָמִ֖ים5 of 21

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה6 of 21

with joy

H8057

blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)

כִּ֣י׀7 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שִׂמְּחָ֣ם8 of 21

had made them joyful

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

יְהוָ֗ה9 of 21

for the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְֽהֵסֵ֞ב10 of 21

and turned

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

לֵ֤ב11 of 21

the heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

מֶֽלֶךְ12 of 21

of the king

H4428

a king

אַשּׁוּר֙13 of 21

of Assyria

H804

ashshur, the second son of shem; also his descendants and the country occupied by them (i.e., assyria), its region and its empire

עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם14 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לְחַזֵּ֣ק15 of 21

unto them to strengthen

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

יְדֵיהֶ֔ם16 of 21

their hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

בִּמְלֶ֥אכֶת17 of 21

in the work

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

בֵּית18 of 21

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֱלֹהֵ֥י19 of 21

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֱלֹהֵ֥י20 of 21

of God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃21 of 21

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 6:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 6:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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