King James Version

What Does Ezra 7:28 Mean?

Ezra 7:28 in the King James Version says “And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I wa... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

Ezra 7:28 · KJV


Context

26

And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. to banishment: Chaldee, to rooting out

27

Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:

28

And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ezra's doxology continues: 'and hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes.' The term chesed (mercy/steadfast love) is God's covenant faithfulness. Ezra experienced this concretely—'before the king' in personal audience, and 'before all the king's mighty princes' in governmental circles. The response combines divine confidence ('I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me') with responsible action ('gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me').

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ezra's experience of favor before Persian elite wasn't chance but divine providence. The 'king's mighty princes' were powerful officials who could have opposed the mission. God's hand secured not just permission but enthusiastic support. Ezra's gathering of 'chief men' (approximately 1,500 males plus families, Ezra 8:1-14) required persuasion and leadership. His success in recruiting demonstrated both divine calling and human capability to inspire others toward costly obedience.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognition of divine favor ('hand of the LORD my God') prevent pride while inspiring confident action?
  2. What does combination of trusting God and gathering leaders teach about balancing faith with responsible human effort?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְעָלַ֣י1 of 21
H5921

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

הִטָּה2 of 21

And hath extended

H5186

to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)

חֶ֗סֶד3 of 21

mercy

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

לִפְנֵ֤י4 of 21

unto me before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ5 of 21

and before all the king's

H4428

a king

וְיֽוֹעֲצָ֔יו6 of 21

and his counsellors

H3289

to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve

וּלְכָל7 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שָׂרֵ֥י8 of 21

princes

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ9 of 21

and before all the king's

H4428

a king

הַגִּבֹּרִ֑ים10 of 21

mighty

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

וַֽאֲנִ֣י11 of 21
H589

i

הִתְחַזַּ֗קְתִּי12 of 21

And I was strengthened

H2388

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

כְּיַד13 of 21

as the hand

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

יְהוָ֤ה14 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהַי֙15 of 21

my 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

עָלַ֔י16 of 21
H5921

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

וָֽאֶקְבְּצָ֧ה17 of 21

was upon me and I gathered together

H6908

to grasp, i.e., collect

מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֛ל18 of 21

out of Israel

H3478

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

רָאשִׁ֖ים19 of 21

chief men

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

לַֽעֲל֥וֹת20 of 21

to go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עִמִּֽי׃21 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then


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 7:28 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 7:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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