Ezra 8:21 Cross References

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.

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Uncover the Rich Themes and Topics of This Bible Verse

Listed below are the Bible themes associated with Ezra 8:21. We invite you to explore each theme to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures.

Ezra 8:21 Cross Reference Verses

This section features a detailed cross-reference designed to enrich your understanding of the Scriptures. Below, you will find carefully selected verses that echo the themes and teachings related to Ezra 8:21 KJV. Click on any image to explore detailed analyses of related Bible verses and uncover deeper theological insights.

2 Chronicles 20:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
2 Chronicles 20:3 (KJV) »
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

Joel 1:14 KJV Bible Verse Image
Joel 1:14 (KJV) »
Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,

Psalms 143:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 143:8 (KJV) »
Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Isaiah 30:21 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 30:21 (KJV) »
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

1 Samuel 7:6 KJV Bible Verse Image
1 Samuel 7:6 (KJV) »
And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

Leviticus 23:29 KJV Bible Verse Image
Leviticus 23:29 (KJV) »
For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.

Jonah 3:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jonah 3:5 (KJV) »
So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

Leviticus 16:29 KJV Bible Verse Image
Leviticus 16:29 (KJV) »
And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you:

Psalms 107:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 107:2 (KJV) »
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

Psalms 5:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 5:8 (KJV) »
Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

Ezra 8:15 KJV Bible Verse Image
Ezra 8:15 (KJV) »
And I gathered them together to the river that runneth to Ahava; and there abode we in tents three days: and I viewed the people, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.

Joel 2:12 KJV Bible Verse Image
Joel 2:12 (KJV) »
Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

Mark 10:13 KJV Bible Verse Image
Mark 10:13 (KJV) »
And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

Jeremiah 31:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jeremiah 31:8 (KJV) »
Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.

Jeremiah 50:4 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jeremiah 50:4 (KJV) »
In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.

Jeremiah 10:23 KJV Bible Verse Image
Jeremiah 10:23 (KJV) »
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

Isaiah 35:8 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 35:8 (KJV) »
And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

Isaiah 58:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 58:3 (KJV) »
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.

Leviticus 16:31 KJV Bible Verse Image
Leviticus 16:31 (KJV) »
It shall be a sabbath of rest unto you, and ye shall afflict your souls, by a statute for ever.

Isaiah 58:5 KJV Bible Verse Image
Isaiah 58:5 (KJV) »
Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?

Numbers 14:3 KJV Bible Verse Image
Numbers 14:3 (KJV) »
And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

Numbers 14:31 KJV Bible Verse Image
Numbers 14:31 (KJV) »
But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.

Ezra 8:31 KJV Bible Verse Image
Ezra 8:31 (KJV) »
Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way.

Psalms 8:2 KJV Bible Verse Image
Psalms 8:2 (KJV) »
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

Ezra 8:21 Verse Analysis and Similar Verses

Understanding Ezra 8:21 - A Summary of Insights

Ezra 8:21 states: "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." This verse captures a pivotal moment for Ezra and the exiles as they prepare to return to Jerusalem.

Context of Ezra 8:21

Ezra leads a group of exiles back to Jerusalem to restore the worship practices and the city itself after the Babylonian exile. The journey is dangerous, and Ezra seeks divine guidance for his people’s safety and prosperity.

Spiritual Significance

The proclamation of a fast indicates a serious spiritual undertaking. Fasting was often associated with prayer and seeking God’s favor or intervention.

Key Insights from Commentaries

  • Matthew Henry: Emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance before taking significant steps. Ezra's choice to fast highlights his dependence on God for both personal and communal matters.
  • Albert Barnes: Points out that the focus of their fasting was for direction. It signifies humility and a recognition of God's authority in their lives.
  • Adam Clarke: Discusses the historical context of the return from Babylon and how fasting was not only an expression of grief but of earnest desire for God’s help.

Cross References to Ezra 8:21

Ezra 8:21 resonates with several passages that highlight themes of seeking God and fasting:

  • Psalm 69:10: "When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, that became my reproach."
  • Jeremiah 29:12-14: "Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you."
  • 1 Chronicles 5:20: "And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand..." – showcases the necessity for divine assistance in battles.
  • Acts 13:2-3: "While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting..." - similar act of seeking guidance through fasting in the New Testament church.
  • Isaiah 58:6: "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness?" - defining true fasting that seeks righteousness.
  • 2 Chronicles 20:3: "Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah."
  • Matthew 6:16-18: Jesus teaches about the proper way to fast – highlighting the heart behind fasting.

Thematic Connections

The themes in Ezra 8:21 connect deeply with repentance, seeking guidance, and the communal aspect of worship. The act of fasting serves as an example of humbling oneself before God, an act mirrored in the New Testament.

Conclusion

Ezra 8:21 serves as a profound reminder of the significance of prayer and fasting in seeking direction from God. By understanding this verse through cross-referencing and the insights provided by esteemed biblical commentators, readers can gain deeper spiritual knowledge and connection to the messages contained within the Scripture.

Further Study Recommendations

For those wanting to delve deeper using tools for Bible cross-referencing, consider utilizing a bible concordance or bible cross-reference guide. These resources can help identify connections between various Bible verses and themes, enhancing your personal study and understanding of the Scriptures.