Ezra 7:28 and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. And because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel to return with me.

◄ Ezra 7:28 ►

New International Version
and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

New Living Translation
And praise him for demonstrating such unfailing love to me by honoring me before the king, his council, and all his mighty nobles! I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the LORD my God was on me. And I gathered some of the leaders of Israel to return with me to Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
and who extended to me his steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the LORD my God was on me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

Berean Standard Bible
and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. And because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel to return with me.

King James Bible
And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellers, 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.

New King James Version
and has extended mercy to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. So I was encouraged, as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me; and I gathered leading men of Israel to go up with me.

New American Standard Bible
and has extended favor to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty officials. So I was strengthened according to the hand of the LORD my God that was upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

NASB 1995
and has extended lovingkindness to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty princes. Thus I was strengthened according to the hand of the LORD my God upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

NASB 1977
and has extended lovingkindness to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty princes. Thus I was strengthened according to the hand of the LORD my God upon me, and I gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.

Legacy Standard Bible
and has extended lovingkindness to me before the king and his counselors and before all the king’s mighty princes. Thus I was strengthened according to the hand of Yahweh my God upon me, and I gathered chief men from Israel to go up with me.

Amplified Bible
and has extended His mercy and lovingkindness to me before the king, his advisers, and all the king’s mighty officials. I was strengthened and encouraged, for the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together outstanding men of Israel to go up with me [to Jerusalem].

Christian Standard Bible
and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by the hand of the LORD my God, and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and who has shown favor to me before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officers. So I took courage because I was strengthened by Yahweh my God, and I gathered Israelite leaders to return with me.

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

Contemporary English Version
God has told the king, his advisors, and his powerful officials to treat me with kindness. The LORD God has helped me, and I have been able to bring many Jewish leaders back to Jerusalem.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He made the king, his advisers, and all the king's powerful officials treat me kindly. I was encouraged because the LORD my God was guiding me. So I gathered leaders in Israel to go with me.

Good News Translation
By God's grace I have won the favor of the emperor, of his counselors, and of all his powerful officials; the LORD my God has given me courage, and I have been able to persuade many of the heads of the clans of Israel to return with me."

International Standard Version
and who showed gracious love to me before the king, before his advisors, and before all of the king's mighty officials. And I was strengthened because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me. So I gathered together the leaders of Israel to go with me.

Majority Standard Bible
and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. And because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel to return with me.

NET Bible
He has also conferred his favor on me before the king, his advisers, and all the influential leaders of the king. I gained strength as the hand of the LORD my God was on me, and I gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

New Heart English Bible
and has extended loving kindness to me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's powerful officers. I was strengthened according to the hand of the LORD my God on me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

Webster's Bible Translation
And hath extended mercy to me before the king, and his counselors, 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 assembled out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

World English Bible
and has extended loving kindness to me before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty princes. I was strengthened according to Yahweh my God’s hand on me, and I gathered together chief men out of Israel to go up with me.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and to me has stretched out kindness before the king and his counselors, and before all the mighty heads of the king: and I have strengthened myself as the hand of my God YHWH [is] on me, and I gather out of Israel heads to go up with me.

Young's Literal Translation
and unto me hath stretched out kindness before the king and his counsellors, and before all the mighty heads of the king: and I have strengthened myself as the hand of Jehovah my God is upon me, and I gather out of Israel heads to go up with me.

Smith's Literal Translation
And extended mercy upon me before the king and his counselors, and to all the kings mighty chiefs. And I was strengthened according to the hand of Jehovah my God upon me, and I shall gather together from Israel the heads to go up with me.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And hath inclined his mercy toward me before the king and his counsellors, and all the mighty princes of the king: and I being strengthened by the hand of the Lord my God, which was upon me, gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he has turned his mercy toward me in the sight of the king, and his counselors, and all the powerful leaders of the king. And so, having been strengthened by the hand of the Lord, my God, which was upon me, I gathered together some of the leaders of Israel, those who were to go up with me.

New American Bible
and who let me find favor with the king, with his counselors, and with all the most influential royal officials. I therefore took courage and, with the hand of the LORD, my God, over me, I gathered together Israelite leaders to make the return journey with me.

New Revised Standard Version
and who extended to me steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty officers. I took courage, for the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And hast extended mercy to me before the king and before the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I chose out of Israel leading men to go up with me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And upon me he cast mercy before the King and before all the Princes of the King, the mighty men. Moreover, I was strengthened just as the hand of LORD JEHOVAH my God was upon me, and I chose men from Israel, Leaders, that they would go up with me.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
and hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened according to the hand of the LORD my God upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and has given me favour in the eyes of the king, and of his councillors, and all the rulers of the king, the exalted ones. And I was strengthened according to the good hand of God upon me, and I gathered chief men of Israel to go up with me.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Ezra Praises God
27Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, 28and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. And because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel to return with me.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Nehemiah 2:8
And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

Nehemiah 2:18
I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work.

Ezra 9:9
Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but He has extended to us grace in the sight of the kings of Persia, giving us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and giving us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

Ezra 6:22
For seven days they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to strengthen their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel.

Proverbs 21:1
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

Daniel 1:9
Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official,

1 Kings 8:50
May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy.

2 Chronicles 30:12
Moreover, the power of God was on the people in Judah to give them one heart to obey the command of the king and his officials according to the word of the LORD.

Psalm 106:46
He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive.

Esther 8:5
“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if I have found favor in his sight, and the matter seems proper to the king, and I am pleasing in his sight, may an order be written to revoke the letters that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces.

Acts 7:10
and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

2 Corinthians 8:16
But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Treasury of Scripture

And has extended mercy to 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 on me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.

extended

Ezra 9:9
For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Genesis 43:14
And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

his counsellors

Ezra 7:14
Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellers, to inquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;

Jonah 3:7
And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

as the hand

Ezra 7:6,9
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him…

Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.

Ezra 8:18
And by the good hand of our God upon us they brought us a man of understanding, of the sons of Mahli, the son of Levi, the son of Israel; and Sherebiah, with his sons and his brethren, eighteen;

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Ezra 7

1. Ezra goes up to Jerusalem
11. The gracious commission of Artaxerxes to Ezra
27. Ezra blesses God for this favor

Berean Study Bible

And who has extended to me
This phrase highlights the divine favor and grace that Ezra acknowledges as coming from God. The Hebrew root for "extended" is "natah," which often implies a stretching out or reaching forth. In this context, it signifies God's active involvement in Ezra's mission, emphasizing that it is God who initiates and sustains the favor Ezra experiences. Historically, this reflects the belief that God influences the hearts of rulers, as seen in the Persian king's favorable disposition towards Ezra.

loving devotion
The term "loving devotion" is translated from the Hebrew word "chesed," which encompasses steadfast love, mercy, and kindness. It is a covenantal term, often used to describe God's unwavering commitment to His people. This reflects the deep, relational aspect of God's interaction with humanity, underscoring that Ezra's success is rooted in God's faithful love, not merely human effort.

before the king and his counselors
Ezra's mission was sanctioned by the Persian king Artaxerxes, and this phrase indicates the political and social context in which Ezra operated. The "counselors" were likely high-ranking officials who advised the king. This highlights the miraculous nature of God's intervention, as it was uncommon for a foreign ruler to show such favor to a Jewish leader. It underscores the theme of God's sovereignty over earthly powers.

and all the powerful princes
The "powerful princes" refers to the influential leaders within the Persian Empire. The Hebrew word for "princes" is "sarim," which denotes authority and governance. This phrase emphasizes the breadth of support Ezra received, illustrating that God's favor extended beyond the king to include the entire administrative structure of the empire. It serves as a testament to God's ability to orchestrate events on a grand scale.

Because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me
This phrase is central to understanding Ezra's confidence and success. The "hand of the LORD" is a metaphor for God's power and presence. In Hebrew, "yad" (hand) often signifies strength and action. Ezra attributes his achievements not to his own abilities but to God's direct intervention. This reflects a recurring biblical theme where God's hand guides and empowers His chosen servants.

I took courage
The phrase "I took courage" indicates a response to divine assurance. The Hebrew root "chazaq" means to strengthen or make firm. Ezra's courage is not self-derived but is a result of recognizing God's support. This serves as an inspirational reminder that true courage stems from faith in God's promises and presence.

and gathered Israel from exile
Ezra's role in gathering the exiles is a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people. The Hebrew word "qabats" (gathered) implies a purposeful assembly, reflecting the prophetic vision of Israel's return. This act is both a physical and spiritual restoration, symbolizing a renewed covenant relationship with God.

to return with me
The return to Jerusalem is not just a geographical relocation but a spiritual journey. The Hebrew word "shuv" (return) often carries connotations of repentance and turning back to God. Ezra's leadership in this return signifies a collective movement towards spiritual renewal and obedience to God's law, embodying the hope of restoration and redemption for the nation of Israel.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(28) And hath extended mercy unto me.--The honour done to himself before the council of Persia he ascribes to the mercy of God. Once more we have an anticipation of the journey, with a parenthesis intervening.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 28. - Hath extended mercy unto me before the king. i.e. "hath given me favour in the king's sight" - "hath made him graciously disposed towards me" (see ver. 6). And his counsellors and... princes. Compare the comment on ver. 14. The "counsellors" and "princes" are the same persons.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and who has shown
הִטָּה־ (hiṭ·ṭāh-)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

me
וְעָלַ֣י (wə·‘ā·lay)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

favor
חֶ֗סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

before
לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the king,
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

his counselors,
וְיֽוֹעֲצָ֔יו (wə·yō·w·‘ă·ṣāw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

and all
וּלְכָל־ (ū·lə·ḵāl-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

his
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

powerful
הַגִּבֹּרִ֑ים (hag·gib·bō·rîm)
Article | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 1368: Powerful, warrior, tyrant

officials.
שָׂרֵ֥י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

And because the hand
כְּיַד־ (kə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the LORD
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

my God
אֱלֹהַי֙ (’ĕ·lō·hay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

[was] upon me,
עָלַ֔י (‘ā·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

I
וַאֲנִ֣י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

took courage
הִתְחַזַּ֗קְתִּי (hiṯ·ḥaz·zaq·tî)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

and gathered
וָאֶקְבְּצָ֧ה (wā·’eq·bə·ṣāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

the leaders
רָאשִׁ֖ים (rā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7218: The head

of Israel
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (mî·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

to return
לַעֲל֥וֹת (la·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

with me.
עִמִּֽי׃ (‘im·mî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

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OT History: Ezra 7:28 And has extended loving kindness to me (Ezr. Ez)