King James Version

What Does Ezra 8:36 Mean?

Ezra 8:36 in the King James Version says “And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and ...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.”

Ezra 8:36 · KJV

Salvation

Context

34

By number and by weight of every one: and all the weight was written at that time.

35

Also the children of those that had been carried away, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD.

36

And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river: and they furthered the people, and the house of God.

Read Ezra 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the governors on this side the river—וַיִּתְּנוּ אֶת־דָּתֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ (vayyittenu et-datei hamelekh, and they gave the king's decrees) refers to Artaxerxes' official authorization (7:11-26) granting Ezra legal authority, tax exemption for temple personnel, and right to appoint magistrates. The delivery to אֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ (achashdarpnei hamelekh, the king's satraps—Persian provincial governors) and פַּחֲווֹת עֵבֶר הַנָּהָר (pachavot ever-hanahar, governors of Beyond-the-River—the Persian province west of Euphrates including Judah, Syria, Phoenicia) formalized Ezra's mission in the imperial administrative system.

And they furthered the people, and the house of God—וְנִשְּׂאוּ אֶת־הָעָם וְאֶת־בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים (v'nissu et-ha'am v'et-beit-ha'Elohim, and they supported/lifted up the people and the house of God). The נָשָׂא (to lift, carry, support) indicates active assistance, not mere toleration. Persian officials provided resources and protection for both הָעָם (the people—Jewish community) and בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים (the house of God—the temple). This fulfills Isaiah's prophecy that foreign kings would be 'nursing fathers' to restored Israel (Isaiah 49:23) and demonstrates God's sovereignty over pagan empires, turning them to serve His covenant purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Persian imperial policy encouraged subject peoples' religions as strategy for maintaining stability and loyalty (documented in the Cyrus Cylinder). Artaxerxes' decree and the governors' compliance represent calculated statecraft, yet Ezra interprets it as divine providence (cf. 'the good hand of our God' throughout chapters 7-8). The successful delivery of royal authorization meant Ezra could operate with legal protection, preventing local opposition from hindering his teaching ministry and religious reforms (which begin in chapter 9 with confronting mixed marriages).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's use of pagan imperial authority to support His people demonstrate His sovereignty over all earthly powers?
  2. What does the governors' 'furthering' (active support, not mere tolerance) teach about how God can turn secular authorities favorably toward His work?
  3. In what ways should believers pray for and expect governmental support (or at least neutrality) for gospel ministry, based on God's sovereignty?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַֽיִּתְּנ֣וּ׀1 of 15

“And they delivered”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת2 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

דָּתֵ֣י3 of 15

“commissions”

H1881

a royal edict or statute

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ4 of 15

“the king's”

H4428

a king

לַֽאֲחַשְׁדַּרְפְּנֵי֙5 of 15

“lieutenants”

H323

a satrap or governor of a main province (of persia)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ6 of 15

“the king's”

H4428

a king

וּפַֽחֲו֖וֹת7 of 15

“and to the governors”

H6346

a prefect (of a city or small district)

עֵ֣בֶר8 of 15

“on this side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַנָּהָ֑ר9 of 15

“the river”

H5104

a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity

וְנִשְּׂא֥וּ10 of 15

“and they furthered”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת11 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָ֖ם12 of 15

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

וְאֶת13 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּֽית14 of 15

“and the house”

H1004

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

הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃15 of 15

“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

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 8:36 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 8:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 7:21-24Revelation 12:16Isaiah 56:6-7Ezra 4:7-23Acts 18:27Ezra 6:13

Places in This Verse

Beyond the RiverRegion · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E16 verses across 2 books
View all places in Ezra 8 →

Test Your Knowledge

Ezra 8 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterEzra Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Ezra 8 with CommentaryAll Ezra ChaptersComplete Ezra QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes