Ezra 9:6

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָאֹֽמְרָ֗ה
H559
And said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
אֱלֹהַ֛י
H430
O my God
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
#3
בֹּ֣שְׁתִּי
H954
I am ashamed
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
#4
וְנִכְלַ֔מְתִּי
H3637
and blush
properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult
#5
לְהָרִ֧ים
H7311
to lift up
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
#6
אֱלֹהַ֛י
H430
O my God
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
#7
פָּנַ֖י
H6440
my face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#8
אֵלֶ֑יךָ
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
כִּ֣י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#10
עֲוֺנֹתֵ֤ינוּ
H5771
for our iniquities
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#11
רָבוּ֙
H7235
are increased
to increase (in whatever respect)
#12
לְמַ֣עְלָה
H4605
over
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#13
רֹּ֔אשׁ
H7218
our head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#14
וְאַשְׁמָתֵ֥נוּ
H819
and our trespass
guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering
#15
גָֽדְלָ֖ה
H1431
is grown up
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
#16
עַ֥ד
H5704
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#17
לַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
H8064
unto the heavens
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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezra Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection