King James Version

What Does Ezra 9:13 Mean?

Ezra 9:13 in the King James Version says “And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punishe... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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; hast punished: Heb. hast withheld beneath our iniquities

Ezra 9:13 · KJV


Context

11

Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. by: Heb. by the hand of from: Heb. from mouth to mouth

12

Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.

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; hast punished: Heb. hast withheld beneath our iniquities

14

Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ezra acknowledges deserved judgment: '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.' This profound theology recognizes that exile, though severe, was actually restrained judgment. Total annihilation would be just; survival is mercy. The word 'deliverance' (peleytah, remnant/escaped portion) emphasizes that existence itself is undeserved grace. This prevents both presumption and despair.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The exile (586-538 BC) was devastating but not total—some survived, lineages continued, Scriptures preserved. Other ancient peoples conquered and exiled typically ceased to exist (ten northern tribes). That Judah survived and returned testified to God's covenant faithfulness. The acknowledgment 'punished us less than our iniquities deserve' reflects mature understanding that any mercy is undeserved. This theology later influenced Paul: 'If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself' (2 Timothy 2:13).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does acknowledging that God's punishment is 'less than our iniquities deserve' prevent both presumption and despair?
  2. What does the concept of 'remnant' or 'deliverance' teach about grace as God's disposition toward the undeserving?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְאַֽחֲרֵי֙1 of 18

And after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

כָּל2 of 18
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַבָּ֣א3 of 18

all that is come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלֵ֔ינוּ4 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֙ינוּ֙5 of 18

deeds

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

הָֽרָעִ֔ים6 of 18

upon us for our evil

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וּבְאַשְׁמָתֵ֖נוּ7 of 18

trespass

H819

guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering

הַגְּדֹלָ֑ה8 of 18

and for our great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

כִּ֣י׀9 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אַתָּ֣ה10 of 18
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ11 of 18

seeing that thou our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

חָשַׂ֤כְתָּֽ12 of 18

hast punished

H2820

to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

לְמַ֙טָּה֙13 of 18

us less

H4295

downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes

מֵֽעֲוֹנֵ֔נוּ14 of 18

than our iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וְנָתַ֥תָּה15 of 18

deserve and hast given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָּ֛נוּ16 of 18
H0
פְּלֵיטָ֖ה17 of 18

us such deliverance

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

כָּזֹֽאת׃18 of 18
H2063

this (often used adverb)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 9:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 9:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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