Ezra 9:7

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כְּהַיּ֥וֹם
Since the days
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
#2
אֲבֹתֵ֗ינוּ
H1
of our fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#3
אֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙
we
#4
בְּאַשְׁמָ֣ה
trespass
guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering
#5
גְדֹלָ֔ה
have we been in a great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#6
עַ֖ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#7
כְּהַיּ֥וֹם
Since the days
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
#8
הַזֶּ֑ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#9
וּבַעֲוֺנֹתֵ֡ינוּ
and for our iniquities
perversity, i.e., (moral) evil
#10
נִתַּ֡נּוּ
been delivered
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#11
אֲנַחְנוּ֩
we
#12
מַלְכֵ֣י
have we our kings
a king
#13
כֹֽהֲנֵ֜ינוּ
and our priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#14
בְּיַ֣ד׀
into the hand
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
#15
מַלְכֵ֣י
have we our kings
a king
#16
הָֽאֲרָצ֗וֹת
of the lands
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
בַּחֶ֜רֶב
to the sword
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
#18
בַּשְּׁבִ֧י
to captivity
exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
#19
וּבַבִּזָּ֛ה
and to a spoil
booty
#20
וּבְבֹ֥שֶׁת
and to confusion
shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication (specifically) an idol
#21
פָּנִ֖ים
of 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
#22
כְּהַיּ֥וֹם
Since the days
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
#23
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezra. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection