Ezra 9:6

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

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

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection