Ezra 9:13
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;
Original Language Analysis
וְאַֽחֲרֵי֙
And after
H310
וְאַֽחֲרֵי֙
And after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
1 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַבָּ֣א
all that is come
H935
הַבָּ֣א
all that is come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָלֵ֔ינוּ
H5921
עָלֵ֔ינוּ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֙ינוּ֙
deeds
H4639
בְּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֙ינוּ֙
deeds
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
5 of 18
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
הָֽרָעִ֔ים
upon us for our evil
H7451
הָֽרָעִ֔ים
upon us for our evil
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
6 of 18
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
וּבְאַשְׁמָתֵ֖נוּ
trespass
H819
וּבְאַשְׁמָתֵ֖נוּ
trespass
Strong's:
H819
Word #:
7 of 18
guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering
הַגְּדֹלָ֑ה
and for our great
H1419
הַגְּדֹלָ֑ה
and for our great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
8 of 18
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
כִּ֣י׀
H3588
כִּ֣י׀
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ
seeing that thou our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ
seeing that thou our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
11 of 18
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
חָשַׂ֤כְתָּֽ
hast punished
H2820
חָשַׂ֤כְתָּֽ
hast punished
Strong's:
H2820
Word #:
12 of 18
to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe
לְמַ֙טָּה֙
us less
H4295
לְמַ֙טָּה֙
us less
Strong's:
H4295
Word #:
13 of 18
downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes
וְנָתַ֥תָּה
deserve and hast given
H5414
וְנָתַ֥תָּה
deserve and hast given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
15 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Psalms 103:10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.Lamentations 3:22It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.Job 11:6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How does acknowledging that God's punishment is 'less than our iniquities deserve' prevent both presumption and despair?
- What does the concept of 'remnant' or 'deliverance' teach about grace as God's disposition toward the undeserving?
Analysis & 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.