Ezra 9:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֡ה
H6258
מְעַ֖ט
And now for a little
H4592
מְעַ֖ט
And now for a little
Strong's:
H4592
Word #:
2 of 23
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
הָֽיְתָ֨ה
H1961
הָֽיְתָ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מֵאֵ֣ת׀
H853
מֵאֵ֣ת׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
hath been shewed from the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
hath been shewed from the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
8 of 23
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
לְהַשְׁאִ֥יר
to leave
H7604
לְהַשְׁאִ֥יר
to leave
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
פְּלֵיטָ֔ה
us a remnant to escape
H6413
פְּלֵיטָ֔ה
us a remnant to escape
Strong's:
H6413
Word #:
11 of 23
deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion
וּלְתִתֵּ֛נוּ
and give
H5414
וּלְתִתֵּ֛נוּ
and give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
12 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בִּמְק֣וֹם
place
H4725
בִּמְק֣וֹם
place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
קָדְשׁ֑וֹ
in his holy
H6944
קָדְשׁ֑וֹ
in his holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
16 of 23
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
לְהָאִ֤יר
may lighten
H215
לְהָאִ֤יר
may lighten
Strong's:
H215
Word #:
17 of 23
to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)
עֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙
our eyes
H5869
עֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙
our eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
18 of 23
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
19 of 23
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
וּלְתִתֵּ֛נוּ
and give
H5414
וּלְתִתֵּ֛נוּ
and give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
20 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
מִֽחְיָ֥ה
reviving
H4241
מִֽחְיָ֥ה
reviving
Strong's:
H4241
Word #:
21 of 23
preservation of life; hence, sustenance; also the live flesh, i.e., the quick
Cross References
Psalms 13:3Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death;Hosea 6:2After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.Isaiah 57:15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.Psalms 85:6Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?Habakkuk 3:2O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.
Historical Context
The 'little space' refers to approximately eighty years from Cyrus's decree (538 BC) to Ezra's arrival (458 BC). In this brief period, God restored temple, city, and community. The 'remnant' theology is central to biblical soteriology—God preserves a believing minority through judgment. The 'nail in his holy place' metaphor appears in Isaiah 22:23—a secure peg driven into a wall. God established the community firmly in Jerusalem despite their previous faithlessness and current unworthiness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'remnant' theology challenge triumphalism while preserving hope in God's faithfulness?
- What does the metaphor of 'nail in his holy place' teach about God's commitment to establish His people despite their failures?
Analysis & Commentary
Ezra acknowledges recent mercy: '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.' The phrase 'little space' (brief time) contrasts seventy years exile with recent restoration. The word 'grace' (techinnah) emphasizes unmerited favor. The 'remnant' theology acknowledges that only a portion returned and only divine mercy preserved them. The metaphor 'nail in his holy place' suggests something secure and permanent—God gave them place in Jerusalem despite unworthiness.