Ezra 9:15

O LORD God of Israel, thou [art] righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as [it is] this day: behold, we [are] before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.

O LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, thou art righteous {H6662}: for we remain {H7604} yet escaped {H6413}, as it is this day {H3117}: behold, we are before {H6440} thee in our trespasses {H819}: for we cannot stand {H5975} before {H6440} thee because of this.

ADONAI, God of Isra'el! You are just; yet we have been left a surviving remnant that has escaped, as is the case today. Look, we are before you in our guilt; because of it, no one can stand in your presence."

O LORD, God of Israel, You are righteous! For we remain this day as a remnant. Here we are before You in our guilt, though because of it no one can stand before You.”

O Jehovah, the God of Israel, thou art righteous; for we are left a remnant that is escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our guiltiness; for none can stand before thee because of this.

Commentary

Context

Ezra 9:15 concludes a profound prayer of confession offered by Ezra, a priest and scribe, upon discovering that the returned exiles in Jerusalem had committed widespread intermarriage with the surrounding foreign peoples. This act was a direct violation of God's clear command against such alliances, which was foundational to Israel's covenant identity (Deuteronomy 7:3). Ezra's response was one of deep distress and lament, tearing his garment and mantle, pulling out his hair, and falling on his knees to pour out his heart before God on behalf of a sinful nation. This verse encapsulates the climax of his agonizing confession, acknowledging both God's just character and Israel's utter unworthiness.

Key Themes

  • God's Unquestionable Righteousness: The opening declaration, "O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous," affirms God's perfect justice and integrity, even as His people face the consequences of their actions. It acknowledges that any judgment upon them is deserved, and His character remains untarnished.
  • Divine Mercy and Preservation: The phrase "for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day" is a poignant recognition of God's incredible mercy. Despite their repeated unfaithfulness, God preserved a remnant through the Babylonian exile and allowed them to return to their land. Their very existence is attributed to His grace, not their merit.
  • Profound Human Sinfulness and Unworthiness: Ezra's confession, "behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this," highlights the overwhelming weight of Israel's sin. It conveys a deep sense of shame and an inability to justify themselves or even stand in the holy presence of God due to their accumulated transgressions. This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 130:3, "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?"

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "righteous" is tsaddiq (Χ¦Φ·Χ“ΦΌΦ΄Χ™Χ§), which denotes someone who is just, upright, and conforms to a moral standard. When applied to God, it speaks of His perfect character and the equity of His dealings with humanity. The term "trespasses" comes from the Hebrew ma'al (מַגַל), which signifies unfaithfulness, a breach of trust, or a sacrilegious act. It implies a deliberate transgression against God or sacred things, going beyond a simple mistake to a betrayal of covenant relationship.

Practical Application

Ezra 9:15 serves as a timeless model for genuine repentance and confession. It teaches us to:

  • Acknowledge God's Righteousness: Even when facing difficult consequences, we must affirm God's justice and goodness. Our struggles do not negate His character.
  • Confess Sin Honestly: A true confession involves acknowledging our "trespasses" fully and without excuse, recognizing our unworthiness before a holy God.
  • Depend on God's Mercy: Like the exiles, we stand before God not by our own merit, but solely by His grace and the mercy He extends. Our continued existence and blessings are a testament to His enduring faithfulness.
  • Understand the Weight of Sin: This verse powerfully illustrates that sin creates a barrier between humanity and God, rendering us unable to "stand" in His presence on our own. It underscores the profound need for divine intervention and atonement to bridge that gap.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 130:3

    If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?

  • John 8:24

    I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your sins.

  • Romans 3:19

    ΒΆ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

  • John 8:21

    ΒΆ Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.

  • Romans 10:3

    For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

  • Zechariah 3:3

    Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.

  • Zechariah 3:4

    And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
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