Ezra 9:8

And now for a little space grace hath been [shewed] from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

And now for a little {H4592} space {H7281} grace {H8467} hath been shewed from the LORD {H3068} our God {H430}, to leave {H7604} us a remnant to escape {H6413}, and to give {H5414} us a nail {H3489} in his holy {H6944} place {H4725}, that our God {H430} may lighten {H215} our eyes {H5869}, and give {H5414} us a little {H4592} reviving {H4241} in our bondage {H5659}.

Now, for a brief moment, ADONAI our God has shown us the favor of allowing a remnant to escape and giving us a secure foothold in his holy place, in order for God to make things look brighter to us and revive us a little in our slavery.

But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the LORD our God to preserve for us a remnant and to give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our bondage, our God has given us new life and light to our eyes.

And now for a little moment grace hath been showed from Jehovah our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.

Ezra 9:8 KJV reveals Ezra’s profound prayer of confession, acknowledging God’s astounding mercy amidst Israel's persistent sin after their return from Babylonian exile. This verse highlights the enduring faithfulness of God despite the unfaithfulness of His people.

Context

This verse is part of Ezra's deeply emotional prayer (Ezra 9:5-15) offered after he learns that the returned exiles, despite having just experienced the consequences of disobedience through the Babylonian captivity, have once again engaged in forbidden intermarriage with the surrounding pagan peoples. This practice was strictly prohibited by God (see Deuteronomy 7:3-4) to preserve Israel's spiritual purity and identity. Ezra is overwhelmed with shame and grief, recognizing the nation's rapid relapse into the very sins that led to their previous judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Grace and Mercy: Despite Israel's repeated rebellion, God extends a "little space grace." This emphasizes God's undeserved favor and patience, preventing complete destruction and offering a chance for repentance.
  • The Remnant: God's faithfulness is evident in His preservation of a "remnant to escape." This recurring biblical theme (see Isaiah 1:9) underscores His commitment to His covenant people, ensuring a continuous line through whom His purposes will be fulfilled.
  • A Secure Foothold ("A Nail"): The phrase "a nail in his holy place" is a powerful metaphor. The Hebrew word yātēḏ refers to a peg or tent-pin, signifying stability, security, and a firm foundation. It suggests God providing a secure, albeit modest, position for His people in Jerusalem and the Temple, a point of stability after decades of displacement. This echoes the imagery of a "nail in a sure place" in Isaiah 22:23.
  • Spiritual Enlightenment and Hope: "That our God may lighten our eyes" speaks to receiving spiritual understanding, renewed hope, and clarity of divine purpose. It signifies God's desire to open their spiritual eyes to His truth and goodness.
  • Revival in Bondage: Even though they are still under Persian dominion ("in our bondage"), God grants them "a little reviving." This demonstrates God's ability to provide spiritual and physical refreshment, a measure of life and restoration, even in circumstances of limited freedom.

Linguistic Insights

The term "grace" (Hebrew: ḥēn) signifies favor or graciousness, highlighting God's unmerited kindness. The "remnant" (Hebrew: šəʾār) is a theological concept emphasizing God's preservation of a portion of His people through judgment. The "nail" (Hebrew: yātēḏ) metaphorically represents a secure, stable point. "Lighten our eyes" (Hebrew: lĕhaʾîr ʿênênû) implies both spiritual enlightenment and renewed vigor, while "reviving" (Hebrew: miḥyāh) means a quickening, preservation, or restoration of life, indicating a spiritual and physical renewal despite their subjugated status.

Practical Application

Ezra 9:8 offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even when we fail God, His grace is always available, offering a path to repentance and restoration. We can find hope in knowing that God always preserves a faithful remnant and provides a secure place for His people, even in challenging circumstances. This verse encourages us to acknowledge our own shortcomings honestly before God and trust in His unfailing mercy to grant us new mercies and spiritual refreshing, regardless of our "bondage" or limitations.

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 13:3

    Consider [and] hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the [sleep of] death;

  • Romans 11:5

    Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

  • Romans 11:6

    And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

  • Hosea 6:2

    After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

  • Habakkuk 3:2

    O LORD, I have heard thy speech, [and] was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

  • Ezekiel 37:11

    Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

  • Ezekiel 37:14

    And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken [it], and performed [it], saith the LORD.

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