Ezra 9:13

And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities [deserve], and hast given us [such] deliverance as this;

And after {H310} all that is come {H935} upon us for our evil {H7451} deeds {H4639}, and for our great {H1419} trespass {H819}, seeing that thou our God {H430} hast punished {H2820} us less {H4295} than our iniquities {H5771} deserve, and hast given {H5414} us such deliverance {H6413} as this;

Now, after all that has come upon us because of our evil deeds and our deep guilt - and even so, you, our God, have punished us less than our sins deserve and have given us a surviving remnant -

After all that has come upon us because of our evil deeds and our great guilt (though You, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have given us such a remnant as this),

And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such a remnant,

Context of Ezra 9:13

Ezra 9:13 is part of Ezra's profound prayer of confession, found in Ezra chapter 9. This prayer takes place after Ezra, a priest and scribe, arrives in Jerusalem from Babylon and discovers that the Jewish people, including priests and Levites, have intermarried with the surrounding pagan peoples, violating God's law and the covenant. This act of mixing the holy seed with the peoples of the lands deeply distressed Ezra, leading him to tear his garments, pull out his hair, and fall on his knees in prayer. His prayer acknowledges the long history of Israel's rebellion and God's just judgment, specifically the Babylonian exile, while also marveling at God's continued mercy.

Key Themes in Ezra 9:13

  • Acknowledgment of Just Judgment: The verse opens with a clear admission that the suffering and hardship experienced by the Israelites came as a direct consequence of their "evil deeds" and "great trespass." This shows a humble recognition of their own culpability and God's righteousness in His dealings with them.
  • God's Abundant Mercy: Despite the severe punishment, Ezra confesses that God has "punished us less than our iniquities [deserve]." This highlights God's incredible compassion and patience, even when His people are disobedient. It's a powerful statement that divine justice is often tempered by divine grace. For a similar theme of God's mercy despite sin, see Psalm 103:10, which states He does not deal with us according to our sins.
  • Gratitude for Deliverance: The phrase "and hast given us [such] deliverance as this" refers to their return from exile and the opportunity to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. It's a recognition that even this partial restoration is an undeserved gift of God's grace, not a reward for their merit.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "trespass" here is ma'al (מַעַל), which often implies an act of unfaithfulness or betrayal, particularly against God or sacred things. It denotes a serious breach of trust or duty, underscoring the gravity of their sin. The phrase "less than our iniquities [deserve]" emphasizes a profound theological truth: God's justice is perfect, but His mercy often withholds the full measure of what our sins would justly earn.

Practical Application

Ezra's prayer in Ezra 9:13 offers a timeless model for confession and repentance. It teaches us to:

  • Acknowledge Our Sin: We must honestly confront our own "evil deeds" and "trespasses," taking responsibility for our actions rather than blaming circumstances or others.
  • Recognize God's Mercy: Even in difficult times, we are called to see God's hand of mercy, recognizing that His discipline is always less than what our rebellion truly deserves. This perspective fosters gratitude instead of bitterness.
  • Appreciate Deliverance: We should be thankful for every act of God's grace and deliverance in our lives, no matter how small, seeing them as undeserved gifts from a loving God. This verse reminds us that true repentance leads to an appreciation of God's faithfulness and a renewed commitment to His ways, as seen in Nehemiah 9:31, which speaks of God's great mercies.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 103:10

    He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

  • Lamentations 3:22

    [It is of] the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

  • Lamentations 3:39

    Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

  • Lamentations 3:40

    Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

  • Job 11:6

    And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that [they are] double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee [less] than thine iniquity [deserveth].

  • Ezekiel 24:13

    In thy filthiness [is] lewdness: because I have purged thee, and thou wast not purged, thou shalt not be purged from thy filthiness any more, till I have caused my fury to rest upon thee.

  • Ezekiel 24:14

    I the LORD have spoken [it]: it shall come to pass, and I will do [it]; I will not go back, neither will I spare, neither will I repent; according to thy ways, and according to thy doings, shall they judge thee, saith the Lord GOD.

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