Ezra 6:16 & 22 The Temple Finished and Dedicated
6:13-18 The Temple Finished and Dedicated
6:19-22 Passover Celebrated
(Ezra 6:16 ESV) And the people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, and the rest of the returned exiles, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy.
(Ezra 6:22 ESV) And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy, for the LORD had made them joyful and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria to them, so that he aided them in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
March 11, 2026 for Joy in Spite of Stoopidty project
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Please pray with me. God! Help me to trust You and be patient and wait on Your perfect timing and provisions. Amen.
H2305 חֶדְוָה | chefvah is pronounced (khed-vaw') meaning joy or rejoicing. This is found only once in the Bible, right here! The word is very basic in meaning.
H8057 The King James Version of the concordance has 93 references in 89 verses to this certain word for "joy" as reference H8057. שִׂמְחָה is pronounced simchâh (sim-khaw) an relates to a religious or festival blithesomeness (cheerful disposition) or glee, which is fitting for this scene. H8057 is also translated in other Bible verses as exceeding(ly), gladness, joy(fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice(ing).