ESV Reformation Study Bible – Ezra 8:18–20
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Ezra 8:18–20

8:18–20 the good hand of our God. Ezra did not weary of ascribing his success to God’s providential control (7:6 note). Thirty-eight Levites were persuaded to return along with three key levitical leaders and 220 temple servants (“Nethinim”). Just as the Lord had stirred the spirits of Cyrus (1:1), the first returnees (1:5), and Artaxerxes (7:27), so His good hand moved these Levites to accept Ezra’s call.