Ezra 9:8

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 9:8 encapsulates a profound moment in Ezra's prayer of confession, revealing the astonishing and undeserved grace of the LORD our God extended to a people who had repeatedly deviated from His covenant. Despite Israel's persistent sin, particularly their forbidden intermarriage after returning from Babylonian exile, the verse powerfully highlights God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving a small remnant, providing a secure foothold in His holy place, and granting spiritual enlightenment and a measure of revival even amidst their continued political subjugation. It serves as a poignant reminder of God's commitment to His covenant promises, offering hope and a path to restoration through His sovereign mercy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal part of Ezra's deeply emotional and profound prayer of confession, recorded in [Ezra 9:5-15](/ezra/9-5-15 "Ezra 9:5-15 - Ezra's Prayer of Confession"). Immediately preceding this prayer, Ezra is utterly devastated upon learning that the returned exiles, including priests and Levites, have engaged in forbidden intermarriage with the surrounding pagan peoples ([Ezra 9:1-2](/ezra/9-1-2 "Ezra 9:1-2 - The Sin of Intermarriage")). His reaction is one of profound grief and shock, tearing his garments, pulling out hair and beard, and sitting appalled until the evening sacrifice ([Ezra 9:3-4](/ezra/9-3-4 "Ezra 9:3-4 - Ezra's Grief and Despair")). This prayer, offered at the time of the evening sacrifice, is not a request for forgiveness but a humble, shame-filled acknowledgment of Israel's pervasive sin and God's just judgment, yet also a recognition of His enduring mercy. Ezra's prayer sets the stage for the subsequent communal repentance and reforms detailed in [Ezra 10](/ezra/10 "Ezra 10 - The People's Repentance and Reform").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Ezra 9 occur approximately 80 years after the first wave of exiles returned to Judah under Zerubbabel and Joshua, following Cyrus's decree in 538 BC. Ezra, a priest and scribe, arrived in Jerusalem in 458 BC, during the reign of Artaxerxes I of Persia. The people of Israel had just experienced the devastating consequences of national disobedience, culminating in the [seventy years of Babylonian captivity](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity"). The prohibition against intermarriage with pagan nations was a foundational covenant command, reiterated in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage") and [Exodus 34:15-16](/exodus/34-15-16 "Exodus 34:15-16 - Warnings Against Idolatry and Intermarriage"). This law was not merely about ethnic purity but spiritual preservation, designed to prevent Israel from adopting the idolatrous practices and immoral ways of the surrounding peoples, thereby safeguarding their unique relationship with Yahweh. Despite their return to the land, they remained "in our bondage," meaning they were still under the political dominion of the vast Persian Empire, highlighting their vulnerable and dependent status.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 9:8 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Grace and Mercy** of God, who, despite Israel's persistent rebellion and rapid relapse into sin, extends "a little space grace." This highlights God's undeserved favor and patience, preventing complete annihilation and offering a window for repentance and restoration. Secondly, the verse emphasizes the enduring biblical concept of **The Remnant**, as God preserves "a remnant to escape." This theme, found throughout prophetic literature (e.g., [Isaiah 1:9](/isaiah/1-9 "Isaiah 1:9 - The Remnant of Israel") and [Micah 2:12](/micah/2-12 "Micah 2:12 - Gathering the Remnant")), signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant, ensuring a continuous line through whom His redemptive purposes will be fulfilled, even through judgment. Thirdly, the metaphor of "a nail in his holy place" speaks to **Security and Stability**, representing God's provision of a firm, albeit modest, foundation for His people in Jerusalem and the rebuilt Temple, a point of stability after decades of displacement and exile. This echoes the imagery of a [nail in a sure place](/isaiah/22-23 "Isaiah 22:23 - The Nail in a Sure Place") found in Isaiah. Finally, "lighten our eyes" and "a little reviving in our bondage" highlight themes of **Spiritual Enlightenment, Hope, and Revival in Adversity**. These phrases convey God's desire to grant spiritual understanding, renewed vigor, and a measure of life and restoration, even when His people are politically subjugated and spiritually weary.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grace (Hebrew, _tᵉchinnâh'_):** From H8467, this term signifies graciousness or, causatively, entreaty. In Ezra 9:8, it emphasizes that God's actions toward Israel are not based on their deservingness but solely on His benevolent character and covenant faithfulness. It is a gift, a demonstration of His compassion and unmerited favor despite their egregious sin, representing a divine act of kindness.
* **Nail (Hebrew, _yâthêd'_):** From H3489, this word literally means a peg, pin, or stake. Used metaphorically here, it refers to a securely driven tent peg or a nail in a wall that provides stability and support. Thus, "a nail in his holy place" symbolizes a secure, stable, and permanent foothold or foundation. It represents God providing a fixed, reliable point of existence and security for His people, particularly in Jerusalem and the Temple, after their return from exile.
* **Reviving (Hebrew, _michyâh'_):** From H4241, this noun denotes the preservation of life, sustenance, or the quickening of live flesh. It implies a measure of spiritual and physical renewal, a breath of life, or a means of survival. Even in their "bondage" (political subjugation), God grants them a degree of vitality and restoration, preventing complete despair and extinction and offering a way to preserve their life and recover themselves.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And now for a little space grace hath been [shewed] from the LORD our God":** Ezra begins by acknowledging the immediate, albeit temporary, outpouring of God's unmerited favor. The phrase "a little space" (מְעַט, _mᵉʻaṭ_, from H4592) suggests a brief window of opportunity or a limited measure of time, highlighting the urgency and the preciousness of this divine mercy. The source of this grace is unequivocally "the LORD our God" (יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהִים, _Yᵉhôvâh ʼĕlôhîym_, from H3068 and H430), emphasizing His sovereign initiative and benevolent character, even in the face of His people's profound unfaithfulness.
* **"to leave us a remnant to escape":** This clause reveals the purpose of God's grace: to preserve a surviving portion of His people from complete destruction. The concept of the "remnant" (פְּלֵיטָה, _pᵉlêyṭâh_, from H6413, derived from H7604 "to leave") is a recurring theological theme, signifying God's faithfulness to His covenant promises by ensuring a continuous line of His chosen people, even through periods of judgment and exile. This remnant is not preserved due to their righteousness but by God's sovereign choice and mercy, allowing them to "escape" the full consequences of their sin.
* **"and to give us a nail in his holy place":** This powerful metaphor illustrates God's provision of stability and security. "His holy place" (קֹדֶשׁ מָקוֹם, _qôdesh mâqôwm_, from H6944 and H4725) refers primarily to Jerusalem and the rebuilt Temple, which served as the spiritual and communal center for the returned exiles. The "nail" (יָתֵד, _yâthêd_, from H3489) signifies a secure, fixed point, a firm foundation. It means God has granted them a stable, albeit humble, position and a secure dwelling in the land, a place where they can re-establish their identity and worship, preventing them from being utterly uprooted again.
* **"that our God may lighten our eyes":** This phrase expresses a desire for spiritual and perhaps physical revitalization. To "lighten the eyes" (לְהָאִיר עֵינֵינוּ, _ləhaʾîr ʻênênû_, from H215 and H5869) implies receiving understanding, renewed hope, clarity of vision, and vitality. It suggests that God's grace enables them to see His truth, His purposes, and their own path forward more clearly, dispelling the darkness of despair and spiritual blindness caused by sin.
* **"and give us a little reviving in our bondage":** Despite their return to the land, the people remained under the dominion of the Persian Empire, hence "in our bondage" (עַבְדּוּת, _ʻabdûwth_, from H5659). Yet, even in this state of political subjugation and limited freedom, God grants them "a little reviving" (מִחְיָה, _michyâh_, from H4241, and מְעַט, _mᵉʻaṭ_, from H4592). This signifies a measure of spiritual and physical refreshment, a quickening of life, or a means of sustenance that prevents them from succumbing to utter despondency. It points to God's ability to provide life and restoration even in the most challenging and constrained circumstances.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 9:8 is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily seen in the phrase "a nail in his holy place." The "nail" (**yâthêd**) serves as a powerful image for stability, security, and a fixed point, representing God's provision of a firm foundation for His people in Jerusalem and the Temple. This contrasts with their previous state of displacement and exile, emphasizing God's re-establishment of their presence. Another metaphor is "lighten our eyes," which uses physical sight to represent spiritual understanding, renewed hope, and vitality. The verse also employs **Theological Language**, particularly the concept of the **remnant**, which is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, denoting God's faithful preservation of a portion of His people through judgment. There is an implicit **Contrast** between the people's deservingness of judgment due to their sin and God's undeserved "grace" and "reviving," highlighting the tension between divine justice and divine mercy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 9:8 stands as a profound testament to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness and His persistent mercy, even in the face of His people's repeated rebellion. It illustrates that divine grace is not earned but freely given, often in "a little space," a window of opportunity for repentance and restoration. This verse underscores the biblical truth that while God judges sin, His ultimate desire is to preserve and restore His people, always leaving a "remnant" through whom His redemptive plan will continue. The provision of "a nail in his holy place" speaks to God's commitment to establish a secure spiritual and physical foundation for His people, a place of identity and worship, even when they are politically vulnerable. It reveals that God's purpose is not merely survival but spiritual enlightenment and revival, enabling His people to see His truth and experience His life-giving power, even "in our bondage." This dynamic tension between human sin and divine grace is central to the biblical narrative, pointing to a God who is both just and merciful, always providing a way for His people to return to Him.

* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Steadfast Love and Mercies")
* [Isaiah 4:2-3](/isaiah/4-2-3 "Isaiah 4:2-3 - The Branch of the LORD and the Remnant")
* [Psalm 13:3](/psalms/13-3 "Psalm 13:3 - Lighten My Eyes, Lest I Sleep the Sleep of Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 9:8 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. It calls us to a deep and honest acknowledgment of our own sin and shortcomings, mirroring Ezra's profound grief and confession. Just as Israel repeatedly fell short of God's commands, we too often find ourselves straying from His path. Yet, this verse assures us that even in our failures, God's "grace" is always available, offering "a little space" for repentance and restoration. It reminds us that God is faithful to preserve His people, providing a "nail" – a secure and stable foundation – in His presence, which for us is found ultimately in Christ and His church. This gives us immense hope, knowing that even when we feel "in our bondage" to circumstances, sin, or worldly pressures, God desires to "lighten our eyes" with spiritual understanding and grant us "a little reviving." This encourages us to seek His face, confess our sins, and trust in His unfailing mercy to grant us new mercies and spiritual refreshing, regardless of our limitations or past failures. Our response should be one of humble gratitude and renewed commitment to walk in His ways, empowered by His ever-present grace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to acknowledge God's "little space grace" that has prevented complete spiritual or personal collapse?**
* **How does the concept of God providing "a nail in his holy place" speak to my sense of security and belonging in Christ and His church today?**
* **What does it mean for my "eyes to be lightened" by God, and how can I actively seek this spiritual enlightenment in my daily walk?**
* **Even when I feel "in bondage" to difficult circumstances or personal struggles, how can I trust God for "a little reviving" and spiritual renewal?**

### FAQ
**What does "a nail in his holy place" mean in Ezra 9:8?**

Answer: The phrase "a nail in his holy place" is a powerful metaphor for stability, security, and a firm foundation. In ancient times, a "nail" (Hebrew: _yâthêd_, from H3489) referred to a tent peg or a sturdy peg driven into a wall, used to hang valuable items or provide structural support. In this context, "his holy place" refers to Jerusalem and the rebuilt Temple, which served as the spiritual and communal center for the returned exiles. Therefore, God providing "a nail" meant He was granting them a secure, fixed, and stable foothold in their land and in His presence, preventing them from being completely uprooted again after the exile. It signifies God's commitment to re-establish His people and provide a place of worship and identity, even though they remained under foreign rule. This imagery is also found in [Isaiah 22:23](/isaiah/22-23 "Isaiah 22:23 - The Nail in a Sure Place"), where a "nail in a sure place" symbolizes a reliable and honorable leader.

**How does "lighten our eyes" relate to spiritual understanding?**

Answer: To "lighten our eyes" (Hebrew: _lĕhaʾîr ʻênênû_, from H215 and H5869) is an idiomatic expression that goes beyond mere physical sight. It primarily signifies receiving spiritual understanding, renewed hope, clarity of divine purpose, and renewed vitality. When one's eyes are "lightened," it implies emerging from spiritual darkness, despair, or blindness into a state of clear perception and vigor. In Ezra 9:8, it means that God's grace enables the people to truly comprehend their situation, His will, and His goodness, dispelling the spiritual lethargy and hopelessness that can accompany prolonged sin and suffering. It's a prayer for discernment, renewed hope, and a fresh perspective on God's ongoing work in their lives. This concept is echoed in other biblical passages, such as [Psalm 13:3](/psalms/13-3 "Psalm 13:3 - Lighten My Eyes") where the psalmist prays for God to "lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death."

**What is the significance of "reviving in our bondage"?**

Answer: The phrase "reviving in our bondage" (Hebrew: _michyâh bəʿaḇdūṯēnū_, from H4241 and H5659) highlights God's ability to provide spiritual and physical refreshment, restoration, and a measure of life even in circumstances of severe limitation and subjugation. "Bondage" refers to their political status as a people under the dominion of the Persian Empire, meaning they did not have full national sovereignty. Despite this external constraint and their internal spiritual malaise due to sin, God grants them "a little reviving." This signifies that God's grace is not limited by external circumstances or human failings. He can quicken their spirits, sustain their existence, and provide a measure of hope and vitality, preventing complete despair and extinction. It demonstrates God's persistent care for His people, offering a taste of restoration and new life even when full freedom or prosperity is not yet realized. It is a testament to God's power to work within and through difficult situations, providing sustenance and hope.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 9:8, while rooted in the historical experience of post-exilic Israel, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "grace" extended to a rebellious Israel foreshadows the ultimate, boundless grace poured out through Christ, who is full of [grace and truth](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). While Israel received "a little space grace," believers in Christ receive [grace upon grace](/john/1-16 "John 1:16 - From His Fullness We Have Received Grace Upon Grace"), leading to salvation and eternal life ([Titus 2:11](/titus/2-11 "Titus 2:11 - The Grace of God Has Appeared")). The concept of "a remnant to escape" finds its perfect realization in the church, the spiritual Israel, composed of all who are called out of darkness into Christ's marvelous light ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")). Jesus himself is the ultimate "nail in his holy place," the secure and unshakeable foundation upon whom God's new temple, the church, is built ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus Himself Being the Cornerstone")), the cornerstone that provides ultimate stability and security for all who believe ([Isaiah 28:16](/isaiah/28-16 "Isaiah 28:16 - A Tested Stone, a Precious Cornerstone")). Furthermore, the desire for God to "lighten our eyes" is fulfilled through the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the eyes of our hearts to know the hope of God's calling and the riches of His glorious inheritance ([Ephesians 1:18](/ephesians/1-18 "Ephesians 1:18 - Enlightenment of the Heart")). Finally, the "little reviving in our bondage" points to the new life and spiritual vitality found in Christ, who came that we might have life and have it [more abundantly](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - I Have Come That They May Have Life"), even while we await our full redemption from the "bondage" of sin and death in this fallen world ([Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Creation Will Be Set Free From Its Bondage")). Thus, Ezra 9:8 serves as a poignant Old Testament shadow of the greater realities of grace, security, and spiritual life found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.