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{{Short description|A chapter in the Book of Ezra}}
{{Bible chapter|letname= Ezra 8 |previouslink= Ezra 7 |previousletter=chapter 7 |nextlink= Ezra 9 |nextletter= chapter 9 |book=[[Book of Ezra]] |biblepart=[[Old Testament]] | booknum= 15 |category= [[Ketuvim]] | filename= Schnorr_von_Carolsfeld_Bibel_in_Bildern_1860_125.png | size=250px |caption=<div style="width: 250px; text-align: center; line-height: 1em">The return from exile is depicted in this woodcut for ''Die Bibel in Bildern'', 1860, by [[Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld]].</div>}}
'''Ezra 8''' is the eighth chapter of the [[Book of Ezra]] in the [[Old Testament]] of the [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Bible]],{{sfn|Halley|1965|p=233}} or the book of [[Ezra-Nehemiah]] in the [[Hebrew Bible]], which treats the book of Ezra and [[book of Nehemiah]] as one book.{{sfn|Grabbe|2003|p=313}} Jewish tradition states that [[Ezra]] is the author of Ezra-Nehemiah as well as the [[Book of Chronicles]],<ref>[[Babylonian Talmud]] ''Baba Bathra'' 15a, ''apud'' Fensham 1982, p. 2</ref> but modern scholars generally accept that a compiler from the 5th century BCE (the so-called "[[The Chronicler|Chronicler]]") is the final author of these books.{{sfn|Fensham|1982|pp=2–4}} The section comprising [[Ezra 7|chapters 7]] to [[Ezra 10|10]] mainly describes of activities of [[Ezra]] the scribe and the priest.{{sfn|Grabbe|2003|p=317}} This chapter follows Ezra's journey to Jerusalem and includes a genealogy of those returning with him (parallel to [[Ezra 2|chapter 2]]).{{sfn|Grabbe|2003|p=317}}

==Text==
[[Chapters and verses of the Bible|This chapter is divided into]] 36 verses. The original text of this chapter is in  [[Biblical Hebrew|Hebrew language]].<ref>Note ''i'' on Ezra 7:27 in [[New King James Version|NKJV]]: "The Hebrew language resumes in Ezra 7:27."</ref>

===Textual witnesses===
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in [[Biblical Hebrew|Hebrew]] are of the [[Masoretic Text]], which includes [[Leningrad Codex|Codex Leningradensis]] (1008).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=36-37}}{{efn|Since 1947 the current text of [[Aleppo Codex]] is missing the whole book of Ezra-Nehemiah.<ref>{{citation | author=P. W. Skehan | contribution=BIBLE (TEXTS) | title=[[New Catholic Encyclopedia]] | edition=2nd | volume=2 | publisher=Gale | year=2003 | pages=355–362}}</ref>}}

There is also a translation into [[Koine Greek]] known as the [[Septuagint]], made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the [[Septuagint]] version include [[Codex Vaticanus]] ('''B'''; <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>B</sup>; 4th century), and [[Codex Alexandrinus]] ('''A'''; <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>A</sup>; 5th century).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=73-74}}{{efn|The extant [[Codex Sinaiticus]] only contains Ezra 9:9–10:44.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Würthwein |first=Ernst |title=Der Text des Alten Testaments |publisher=[[Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft]] |edition=2nd |place=Stuttgart |year=1988 |page=85 |isbn= 3-438-06006-X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Swete |first=Henry Barclay |author-link= Henry Barclay Swete |title= An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek |publisher= Macmillan and Co. |location=Cambridge |year=1902 |url= https://archive.org/stream/anintrotooldtes00swetuoft#page/128/mode/2up |pages= 129–130}}</ref><ref>{{Catholic Encyclopedia|wstitle= Codex Sinaiticus}}</ref>}}

An ancient Greek book called [[1 Esdras]] (Greek: {{lang|grc|Ἔσδρας Αʹ}}) containing some parts of [[Books of Chronicles|2 Chronicles]], [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]] and [[Book of Nehemiah|Nehemiah]]  is included in most editions of the Septuagint and is placed before the single book of [[Ezra–Nehemiah]] (which is titled in Greek: {{lang|grc|Ἔσδρας Βʹ}}). 1 Esdras 8:28-67 is an equivalent of Ezra 8 (List of latter exiles who returned).<ref>[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05535a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Esdras: THE BOOKS OF ESDRAS: III Esdras]</ref><ref>[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=463&letter=E&search=Books%20of%20Esdras#1248 Jewish Encyclopedia: Esdras, Books of: I Esdras]</ref>

==The Caravan (8:1–14)==
Large groups of Jews had returned to Jerusalem in past years, but many faithful men and their families still lived in Babylonian territories, some of whom at this time packed their belongings and assembled with Ezra to return to Judea.{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=92}} The list in this part is a parallel to the famous "''Golah'' List" ("List of the Exiles") of [[Ezra 2]] and [[Nehemiah 7]], but notable here is the predominance of priestly associations before any Davidic identification.{{sfn|Smith-Christopher|2007|p=316}}

===Verse 1===
:''Now these are the chiefs of the households of the fathers and the genealogical register of those who went up with me from Babylon, in the reign of King Artaxerxes:''<ref>{{bibleverse|Ezra|8:1|MEV}} [[Modern English Version|MEV]]</ref>
Emboldened by God's involvement ([[Ezra 7|chapter 7]]), Ezra recruited family heads and those registered with them to accompany him to Jerusalem  (as noted in [[Ezra 2]], 'Jewish society was organized around men and their extended families').{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=92}}

===Verse 2===
:''of the sons of Phinehas, Gershom;''
:''of the sons of Ithamar, Daniel;''
:''of the sons of David, Hattush,''<ref>{{bibleverse|Ezra|8:2|MEV}} MEV</ref>
The list begins with the priests, reflecting 'Ezra's own station as a priest', formed by two patriarchal families: the descendants of
[[Phinehas]] ('''Gershom''') and [[Ithamar]] ('''Daniel'''), as the two descendants of [[Aaron]] the high priest.{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=93}}

After listing the priestly line, Ezra registers the political line of Israel, which is the descendants of [[David]] (royal line), indicating that 'the memory of Davidic ancestry continued in the postexilic community'.{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=93}} One family accompanying Ezra, '''Hattush''', is a descendant of David (so called "Davidide"), and he would be the fourth generation after [[Zerubbabel]]<ref>See: Blenkinsopp, J. (1988), "Ezra-Nehemiah", ''The Old Testament Library'' (London: SCM). p. 162; ''apud'' Smith-Christopher 2007, p. 316</ref> (cf. {{bibleverse|1 Chronicles|3:19-22|KJV}}: "{{sup|19}} …the sons of Zerubbabel… Hananiah… {{sup|21}} And the sons of Hananiah… the sons of Shechaniah. {{sup|22}} And the sons of Shechaniah… Shemaiah: and the sons of Shemaiah… Hattush…").{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=93}} The record of "Hattush" 'makes any other date than 458 [BC] difficult'.{{sfn|Smith-Christopher|2007|p=316}}

==Final preparations (8:15–30)==
Before departing from Babylonia. Ezra enlisted Levites to join his caravan, as well as 'called for a general fast to petition God's protection, and entrusted the money and valuable articles to consecrated priests'.{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=93}}

===Verse 15===
:''Now I gathered them by the river that flows to Ahava, and we camped there three days. And I looked among the people and the priests, and found none of the sons of Levi there.''<ref>{{bibleref2|Ezra|8:15|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>
The presence of the [[Levite]]s ("sons of Levi") was significant to Ezra because, under Law of Torah, the Levites were 'responsible for the transport of temple articles'.{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=93}}

===Verse 22===
:''For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.''<ref>{{bibleverse|Ezra|8:22|MEV}} MEV</ref>
In contrast to Nehemiah, who accepted an armed guard, Ezra chose to rely on God's protection (cf. {{bibleverse|2 Kings|6:17|KJV}}; {{bibleverse|Matthew|26:53|KJV}}).{{sfn|Smith-Christopher|2007|p=316}}

==The journey  (8:31–32)==
Completing all the preparations, Ezra and his caravan 'embarked on the journey' from Babylonia to Jerusalem.{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=96}}

===Verse 31===
:''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.''<ref>{{bibleverse|Ezra|8:31|KJV}} KJV</ref>
*"The river of [[Ahava (Bible)|Ahava]]": [[Vulgate]]: "the river Ahava"; Latin: "a fiumine Ahava"; the meeting place probably takes its name from the stream. Ahava was reached by Ezra and his company on the ninth day after they left Babylon (cf. [[Ezra 7:9]], [[#Verse 15|Ezra 8:15]]), which helps Rawlinson to identify Ahava with "Is" as mentioned in Herodotus (i. 179),<ref name=cambridgebible/> which is eight days' journey from Babylon.<ref name=pulpit>Exell, Joseph S.; Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice (Editors). [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/8.htm  On "Ezra 8".] In: ''The [[Pulpit Commentary]]''. 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2018.</ref> The modern name of the place is "[[Hit, Iraq|Hit]]", which is famous for its [[bitumen]] springs, and is situated on the Euphrates, at a distance of about 80 miles northwest from Babylon.<ref name=barnes>[[Albert Barnes (theologian)|Barnes, Albert]]. [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/ezra/8.htm ''Notes on the Bible'' - Ezra 8]. James Murphy (ed). London: Blackie & Son, 1884.</ref> The distance from Hit to Jerusalem is 618 miles using modern roads.<ref>Calculated by [[Google Maps]], 26 June 2020</ref>

===Verse 32===
:''So we came to Jerusalem, and stayed there three days.''<ref>{{bibleref2|Ezra|8:32|NKJV}} NKJV</ref>
According to [[Ezra 7:8]], Ezra and his caravan arrived on the first day of the fifth month.<ref name=cambridgebible/>
*"Three days": The same "three days' interval" to 'rest after the journey and to prepare plans' is also used by [[Nehemiah]] ([[Nehemiah 2:11]]).<ref name=cambridgebible>[[Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges]]. [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/ezra/8.htm Ezra 8]. Accessed 28 April 2019.</ref>

==Taking care of business (8:33–36)==
This part records that Ezra meticulously transferred the articles and finances, performed the required rituals of sacrifices, and delivered the edict of the Persian king.{{sfn|Larson|Dahlen|Anders|2005|p=96}}

===Verse 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.''<ref>{{bibleverse|Ezra|8:35|KJV}} [[King James Version|KJV]]</ref>
After Ezra's group safely arrived in Jerusalem ([[#Verse 31|verses 31]]–[[#Verse 32|32]]), they offered sacrifice (verse 35), not because king Artaxerxes ordered them to do ({{bibleverse-nb|Ezra|7:17|KJV}}), nor as an "isolated act of thanksgiving", but because "they were reconstituted as the people of God and therefore ''must'' worship" God.{{sfn|McConville|1985|p=59}}

==See also==
*[[Artaxerxes I]]
*[[Jerusalem]]
*Related [[Bible]] parts: [[Ezra 7]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{cite book|last= Fensham| first=F. Charles | title=The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah | series=New international commentary on the Old Testament | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |edition= illustrated | date = 1982 | isbn = 978-0802825278 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IfxMeDl6BZgC | access-date=October 28, 2019}}
*{{cite book|last= Grabbe| first= Lester L.|author-link= Lester L. Grabbe | chapter = Ezra | title=Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible | editor-first1=James D. G.| editor-last1=Dunn  |editor1-link = James Dunn (theologian) | editor-first2=John William| editor-last2= Rogerson |editor2-link =  John W. Rogerson | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing |edition= illustrated | date = 2003 | pages = 313–319 | isbn = 978-0802837110 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Vo-11umIZQC | access-date=October 28, 2019}}
*{{cite book|last= Halley| first= Henry H.| author-link= Henry Hampton Halley| title= Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary |edition=24th (revised)|publisher= Zondervan Publishing House |date= 1965 |url= https://archive.org/details/halleysbiblehand00henr |url-access= registration| isbn= 0-310-25720-4}}
*{{cite book|last1= Larson| first1= Knute|last2=Dahlen |first2=Kathy |last3=Anders|first3= Max E. | title=Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther | series= Holman Old Testament commentary|volume= 9  | editor-first=Max E.| editor-last=Anders | publisher =  B&H Publishing Group|edition= illustrated | date = 2005 | isbn = 978-0805494693 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4MmHIVtd6r0C | access-date=October 28, 2019}}
*{{cite book|last= Levering| first=Matthew | title=Ezra & Nehemiah | series=Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible | publisher = Brazos Press | date = 2007| isbn = 978-1587431616 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TYhGQVLlL4IC | access-date=October 28, 2019}}
*{{cite book|last= McConville| first=J. G. | title=Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther | series=The daily study Bible : Old Testament | publisher = Westminster John Knox Press | date = 1985 | isbn = 978-0664245832 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AhyPOmOzZhoC | access-date=October 28, 2019}}
*{{cite book|last= Smith-Christopher| first= Daniel L.|author-link= Daniel L. Smith-Christopher | chapter = 15. Ezra-Nehemiah | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John| editor-last1=Barton |editor1-link = John Barton (theologian) | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman |editor2-link = John Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | date = 2007 | pages = 308–324 | isbn = 978-0199277186 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ| access-date=February 6, 2019}}
*{{cite book | last = Würthwein | first = Ernst | author-link = Ernst Würthwein | title = The Text of the Old Testament | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans |location = Grand Rapids, MI | year=  1995 | translator-first1 = Erroll F.| translator-last1 = Rhodes |isbn = 0-8028-0788-7 | url= https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Text_of_the_Old_Testament.html?id=FSNKSBObCYwC | access-date= January 26, 2019}}

==Further reading==
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=3PvirfZkfvQC Blenkinsopp, Joseph, "Ezra-Nehemiah: A Commentary" (Eerdmans, 1988)]
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=m1V1DeBS6P0C Blenkinsopp, Joseph, "Judaism, the first phase" (Eerdmans, 2009)]
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=qRw7AAAAIAAJ Coggins, R.J., "The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah" (Cambridge University Press, 1976)]
*[http://www.ronaldecker.com/ezra.html Ecker, Ronald L., "Ezra and Nehemiah"], Ecker's Biblical Web Pages, 2007.
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=S2MSzgZ8DMMC Grabbe, L.L., "Ezra-Nehemiah" (Routledge, 1998)]
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=xRS8P0RDXeoC Pakkala, Juha, "Ezra the scribe: the development of Ezra 7–10 and Nehemiah 8" (Walter de Gryter, 2004)]*[https://books.google.com/books?id=VK2fEzruIn0C Grabbe, L.L., "A history of the Jews and Judaism in the Second Temple Period, Volume 1" (T&T Clark, 2004)]
*[https://books.google.com/books?id=VI1bMiMXLs0C Throntveit, Mark A. (1992) "Ezra-Nehemiah". John Knox Press]

==External links==
* [[Judaism|Jewish]] translations:
** [https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16505 Ezra - Chapter 8 (Judaica Press)] translation [with [[Rashi]]'s commentary] at Chabad.org
* [[Christianity|Christian]] translations:
** [http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Ezra+8 ''Online Bible'' at GospelHall.org] (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
** [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=15&chapter=8&version=9 Book of Ezra Chapter 8. Bible Gateway]

{{Book of Ezra}}

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[[Category:Book of Ezra chapters|08]]