King James Version

What Does Ezra 9:6 Mean?

Ezra 9:6 in the King James Version says “And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. trespass: or, guiltiness

Ezra 9:6 · KJV


Context

4

Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

5

And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, heaviness: or, affliction

6

And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. trespass: or, guiltiness

7

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.

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. space: Heb. moment a nail: or, a pin: that is, a constant and sure abode


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ezra's prayer begins with profound shame: 'O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God.' The repetition 'my God... my God' emphasizes personal relationship even amid corporate guilt. The verb 'ashamed' (bosh) carries sense of humiliation and disgrace. Ezra feels personal shame for corporate sin, demonstrating identificational repentance—though not personally guilty of intermarriage, he identifies with his people's guilt. The metaphor 'our iniquities are increased over our head' pictures sin accumulating like rising water. The parallel 'our trespass is grown up unto the heavens' emphasizes the enormity of guilt before God. This language doesn't quantify individual sins but expresses overwhelming sense of covenant violation.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ezra's personal shame for corporate sin echoes Moses, Daniel, and Nehemiah who similarly identified with their people's guilt. This concept of corporate solidarity is foundational to biblical covenant theology—the community stands or falls together. The prayer's eloquent Hebrew shows Ezra's literary skill and deep biblical knowledge. His language echoes earlier Scripture, particularly Deuteronomy's blessings and curses and the prophets' calls to repentance. The prayer occurs publicly during evening sacrifice, meaning the gathered community hears their sin articulated before God, creating opportunity for corporate repentance.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Ezra's identificational repentance teach about corporate responsibility for sin within God's covenant community?
  2. How does profound shame before God relate to genuine repentance and restoration?
  3. In what ways can church leaders appropriately express corporate confession for their community's failures?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וָאֹֽמְרָ֗ה1 of 17

And said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֱלֹהַ֛י2 of 17

O my 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

בֹּ֣שְׁתִּי3 of 17

I am ashamed

H954

properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed

וְנִכְלַ֔מְתִּי4 of 17

and blush

H3637

properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult

לְהָרִ֧ים5 of 17

to lift up

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

אֱלֹהַ֛י6 of 17

O my 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

פָּנַ֖י7 of 17

my face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֵלֶ֑יךָ8 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כִּ֣י9 of 17
H3588

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

עֲוֺנֹתֵ֤ינוּ10 of 17

for our iniquities

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

רָבוּ֙11 of 17

are increased

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

לְמַ֣עְלָה12 of 17

over

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

רֹּ֔אשׁ13 of 17

our head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְאַשְׁמָתֵ֥נוּ14 of 17

and our trespass

H819

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

גָֽדְלָ֖ה15 of 17

is grown up

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

עַ֥ד16 of 17
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

לַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃17 of 17

unto the heavens

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r


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 9:6 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 9:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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