And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

EZRA 6:22KJV
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Ezra 6:22 (KJV)

What does Ezra 6:22 mean?

Ezra 6:22 describes how the returned exiles in Jerusalem joyfully celebrated the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days, recognizing that their happiness came from the LORD, who had influenced the king of Assyria to support them in rebuilding God’s temple. The verse highlights both the people’s gratitude and the surprising help they received from a foreign ruler.

This verse comes after the completion of the second temple, when the Jewish people, recently returned from exile, were able to keep one of their major festivals again. The mention of the “king of Assyria” refers to the Persian king (since Persia had absorbed Assyria), showing that God can move even powerful foreign leaders to favor His people. The focus is on the joy and renewed strength the people experienced as they worked together on the house of God.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 6:22

  • שִׂמְחָה (simchah, “joy”): This word for joy emphasizes a deep, communal happiness, not just individual pleasure. It shows that the festival was a time of genuine celebration and relief after hardship.
  • סָבַב (savav, “turned”): The word used for “turned the heart” means to change direction or attitude. It highlights that the king’s support was not accidental but seen as a direct act of God influencing his attitude toward the Jews.
  • חָזַק (chazaq, “strengthen”): This word means to make strong or encourage. The verse credits God with giving the people the strength and support they needed to complete the temple work, not just physical power but also morale and determination.

Why Ezra 6:22 matters

  • Ezra 6:22 clarifies that the joy of the people was not just from their own efforts but was understood as a gift from God, who worked through unexpected channels.
  • The verse links the rebuilding of the temple to God’s broader control over history, even over foreign kings, which would have encouraged the returned exiles.
  • By mentioning the “king of Assyria,” the verse connects the present moment to Israel’s past oppressors, showing a reversal where former enemies now become supporters, underlining God’s sovereignty.

Where else these words appear

“bread” Hebrew H4682 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Leviticus 2:4 And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
  • Deuteronomy 16:8 Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.

“feast” Hebrew H2282 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 16:14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
  • Psalms 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

“joy” Hebrew H8057 · used in 89 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • Esther 9:18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

“Assyria” Hebrew H804 · used in 138 verses

  • Genesis 2:14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
  • 2 Kings 20:6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
  • Isaiah 36:13 Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria.