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Ezra 9:7

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Since the days of our fathers [have] we [been] in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, [and] our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as [it is] this day.

Since the days {H3117} of our fathers {H1} have we been in a great {H1419} trespass {H819} unto this day {H3117}; and for our iniquities {H5771} have we, our kings {H4428}, and our priests {H3548}, been delivered {H5414} into the hand {H3027} of the kings {H4428} of the lands {H776}, to the sword {H2719}, to captivity {H7628}, and to a spoil {H961}, and to confusion {H1322} of face {H6440}, as it is this day {H3117}.

Since the times of our ancestors, we have been deeply guilty; and because of our sins, we, our kings and our cohanim have been handed over to the kings of the lands, to the sword, to exile, to pillage and to disgrace, as is the case today.

From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and put to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation, as we are this day.

Since the days of our fathers we have been exceeding guilty unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to plunder, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

Commentary

Ezra 9:7 is a profound verse from Ezra's prayer of confession, reflecting on the persistent unfaithfulness of the Israelites and its severe consequences. This verse encapsulates a deep acknowledgment of collective sin, spanning generations, and the divine judgment that followed.

Context

This verse is part of a passionate prayer offered by Ezra, a dedicated scribe and priest, upon hearing the devastating news that the returned exiles in Jerusalem had intermarried with the surrounding pagan peoples. This act was a direct violation of God’s covenant commands (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Ezra's response is one of deep anguish and confession, not just for the current sin, but for the entire history of Israel’s rebellion. He identifies with the people's long-standing pattern of disobedience, acknowledging that their present shameful state is a direct result of historical and ongoing iniquities.

Key Themes

  • Corporate and Generational Sin: Ezra emphasizes that their "great trespass" began "since the days of our fathers" and continued "unto this day." This highlights the concept of collective responsibility and the enduring impact of a nation's spiritual drift. It's a recognition that the current generation inherited and continued a legacy of unfaithfulness.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse explicitly links their iniquities to their suffering: being "delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil." This serves as a stark reminder of the covenant curses promised for rebellion against God's laws. The Babylonian exile and subsequent subjugation were not random events but divine discipline.
  • Shame and Humiliation: The phrase "confusion of face" signifies deep shame, disgrace, and public humiliation. It reflects the loss of dignity and favor in the eyes of the nations, a direct consequence of their spiritual infidelity. This was a visible sign of their broken relationship with God.
  • Divine Justice: Ezra's prayer implicitly acknowledges God's justice in allowing these severe consequences. It is not an accusation against God but a humble admission that their suffering was deserved, a direct result of their own actions and those of their leaders ("our kings, and our priests").

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "trespass" here is ma'al (מַעַל), which often refers to a breach of trust or an act of unfaithfulness, particularly against God. It suggests a profound betrayal, more than just a simple error, but a deliberate turning away from covenant obligations.
  • "Confusion of face" translates the Hebrew boshet panim (בֹּשֶׁת פָּנִים), which literally means "shame of face." It vividly portrays the deep humiliation and disgrace experienced by a people whose actions have brought them low before God and other nations.

Practical Application

Ezra 9:7 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Acknowledge Historical and Corporate Sin: This verse calls us to humbly recognize the ongoing patterns of sin, both personal and collective, that may span generations. It encourages introspection about how past unfaithfulness might contribute to present challenges.
  • Understand the Gravity of Sin: The severe consequences listed – sword, captivity, spoil, and shame – underscore that sin is not trivial. God's justice is real, and disobedience carries significant repercussions.
  • Embrace Genuine Repentance: Ezra's prayer is a model of true confession. It's not about blaming others but taking responsibility for one's own and one's community's part in the "great trespass." Genuine repentance begins with a clear-eyed view of sin's magnitude.
  • Learn from History: The historical account of Israel's repeated cycles of sin and judgment serves as a powerful warning. We are called to learn from their mistakes and to diligently pursue faithfulness to God's word, lest we also experience the "confusion of face" that comes from turning away from Him.

This verse is a poignant reminder that God's people are called to a life of consistent faithfulness, and that our actions, both individually and corporately, have profound and lasting consequences.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 29:6 (5 votes)

    For our fathers have trespassed, and done [that which was] evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned [their] backs.

  • Daniel 9:5 (3 votes)

    We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments:

  • Daniel 9:8 (3 votes)

    O Lord, to us [belongeth] confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.

  • Acts 7:51 (2 votes)

    ¶ Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers [did], so [do] ye.

  • Acts 7:52 (2 votes)

    Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

  • Deuteronomy 4:25 (2 votes)

    When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt [yourselves], and make a graven image, [or] the likeness of any [thing], and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:

  • Deuteronomy 4:28 (2 votes)

    And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.