King James Version

What Does Ezra 9:7 Mean?

Ezra 9:7 in the King James Version says “Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings,...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezra 9:7 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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

9

For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. to repair: Heb. to set up

Read Ezra 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ezra's prayer continues with historical confession: 'Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day.' This acknowledges multi-generational sin—current violations aren't isolated failures but ongoing patterns. The phrase 'for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands' interprets exile theologically. God used pagan rulers to judge covenant violation. The list of punishments—'to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face'—recounts covenant curses (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The confession 'since the days of our fathers' acknowledges that pre-exilic Israel persistently violated covenant, leading to exile (586 BC). Ezra doesn't minimize past sins or claim the returnees are better. The phrase 'confusion of face' means shame and disgrace. The acknowledgment that 'our kings and our priests' led in sin shows that leaders bear special responsibility. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and other prophets had warned repeatedly that persistent sin would bring exile. Now, barely eighty years after return, similar sins recurred.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does confessing multi-generational sin demonstrate understanding that current failures often repeat historical patterns?
  2. What does acknowledging that leaders 'have been chief in this trespass' (v. 2) teach about greater accountability for those in authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
כְּהַיּ֥וֹם1 of 23

“Since the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֲבֹתֵ֗ינוּ2 of 23

“of our fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙3 of 23
H587

we

בְּאַשְׁמָ֣ה4 of 23

“trespass”

H819

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

גְדֹלָ֔ה5 of 23

“have we been in a great”

H1419

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

עַ֖ד6 of 23
H5704

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

כְּהַיּ֥וֹם7 of 23

“Since the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֑ה8 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וּבַעֲוֺנֹתֵ֡ינוּ9 of 23

“and for our iniquities”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

נִתַּ֡נּוּ10 of 23

“been delivered”

H5414

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

אֲנַחְנוּ֩11 of 23
H587

we

מַלְכֵ֣י12 of 23

“have we our kings”

H4428

a king

כֹֽהֲנֵ֜ינוּ13 of 23

“and our priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

בְּיַ֣ד׀14 of 23

“into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מַלְכֵ֣י15 of 23

“have we our kings”

H4428

a king

הָֽאֲרָצ֗וֹת16 of 23

“of the lands”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בַּחֶ֜רֶב17 of 23

“to the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

בַּשְּׁבִ֧י18 of 23

“to captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

וּבַבִּזָּ֛ה19 of 23

“and to a spoil”

H961

booty

וּבְבֹ֥שֶׁת20 of 23

“and to confusion”

H1322

shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication (specifically) an idol

פָּנִ֖ים21 of 23

“of 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

כְּהַיּ֥וֹם22 of 23

“Since the days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃23 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 9:7 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 9:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Chronicles 29:6Daniel 9:5-8Lamentations 5:7Deuteronomy 32:15-28Deuteronomy 30:17-19Deuteronomy 4:25-28

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