Ezra 8:23

8:23 So we fasted and prayed to our God about this, and he answered us.

Ezra 2:62

2:62 They ¹  searched for their records in the genealogical materials, but did not find them. ²  They were therefore excluded ³  from the priesthood.

Ezra 8:21-22

8:21 I called for a fast there by the Ahava Canal, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and seek from him a safe journey ⁴  for us, our children, and all our property. 8:22 I was embarrassed to request soldiers and horsemen from the king to protect us from the enemy ⁵  along the way, because we had said to the king, “The good hand of our God is on everyone who is seeking him, but his great anger ⁶  is against everyone who forsakes him.”

[2:62]  ¹ tn Heb “these.”

[2:62]  ² tn Heb “their records were searched for in the genealogical materials, but were not found.” This passive construction has been translated as active for stylistic reasons.

[2:62]  ³ tn Heb “they were desecrated.”

[8:21]  ¹ tn Heb “a straight way.”

[8:22]  ¹ tn A number of modern translations regard this as a collective singular and translate “from enemies” (also in v. 31).

[8:22]  ² tn Heb “his strength and his anger.” The expression is a hendiadys (one concept expressed through two terms).