Charles Ellicott Commentary Ezra 8:21

"Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance." — Ezra 8:21 (ASV)

To seek of him a right way for us. —The wilderness was now before them, and an enemy, indefinitely referred to, was in the way: probably desert tribes, always lying in wait for unprotected caravans.

Our little ones. —An intimation that whole households went up.

Our substance. —Chiefly the treasures for the Temple, though the term signifies cattle and other goods, with an undertone of abundance.