Ezra 9:9

Authorized King James Version

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For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Original Language Analysis

כִּֽי H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 28
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עֲבָדִ֣ים For we were bondmen H5650
עֲבָדִ֣ים For we were bondmen
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 2 of 28
a servant
אֲנַ֔חְנוּ H587
אֲנַ֔חְנוּ
Strong's: H587
Word #: 3 of 28
we
וּבְעַבְדֻ֔תֵנוּ us in our bondage H5659
וּבְעַבְדֻ֔תֵנוּ us in our bondage
Strong's: H5659
Word #: 4 of 28
servitude
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 28
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
עֲזָבָ֖נוּ hath not forsaken H5800
עֲזָבָ֖נוּ hath not forsaken
Strong's: H5800
Word #: 6 of 28
to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ of our God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ of our God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 7 of 28
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
וַֽיַּט but hath extended H5186
וַֽיַּט but hath extended
Strong's: H5186
Word #: 8 of 28
to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application (as follows)
עָלֵ֣ינוּ H5921
עָלֵ֣ינוּ
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 28
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
חֶ֡סֶד mercy H2617
חֶ֡סֶד mercy
Strong's: H2617
Word #: 10 of 28
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
לִפְנֵי֩ unto us in the sight H6440
לִפְנֵי֩ unto us in the sight
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 11 of 28
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מַלְכֵ֨י of the kings H4428
מַלְכֵ֨י of the kings
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 12 of 28
a king
פָרַ֜ס of Persia H6539
פָרַ֜ס of Persia
Strong's: H6539
Word #: 13 of 28
paras (i.e., persia), an eastern country, including its inhabitants
וְלָֽתֶת thereof and to give H5414
וְלָֽתֶת thereof and to give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 14 of 28
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לָ֣נוּ H0
לָ֣נוּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 15 of 28
מִֽחְיָ֗ה us a reviving H4241
מִֽחְיָ֗ה us a reviving
Strong's: H4241
Word #: 16 of 28
preservation of life; hence, sustenance; also the live flesh, i.e., the quick
לְרוֹמֵ֞ם to set up H7311
לְרוֹמֵ֞ם to set up
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 17 of 28
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֤ית the house H1004
בֵּ֤ית the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 19 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ of our God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ of our God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 20 of 28
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
וּלְהַֽעֲמִ֣יד and to repair H5975
וּלְהַֽעֲמִ֣יד and to repair
Strong's: H5975
Word #: 21 of 28
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 22 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חָרְבֹתָ֔יו the desolations H2723
חָרְבֹתָ֔יו the desolations
Strong's: H2723
Word #: 23 of 28
properly, drought, i.e., (by implication) a desolation
וְלָֽתֶת thereof and to give H5414
וְלָֽתֶת thereof and to give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 24 of 28
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לָ֣נוּ H0
לָ֣נוּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 25 of 28
גָדֵ֔ר us a wall H1447
גָדֵ֔ר us a wall
Strong's: H1447
Word #: 26 of 28
a circumvallation; by implication, an inclosure
בִּֽיהוּדָ֖ה in Judah H3063
בִּֽיהוּדָ֖ה in Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 27 of 28
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ and in Jerusalem H3389
וּבִירֽוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ and in Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 28 of 28
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Analysis & Commentary

The confession continues: 'For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia.' The term 'bondmen' acknowledges ongoing subjection—they weren't independent but lived under Persian rule. Yet God's faithfulness operated even in bondage. The phrase 'extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia' attributes Cyrus's, Darius's, and Artaxerxes' favor to divine action. The purpose: 'to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.'

Historical Context

Though returned from Babylon, the Jews remained Persian subjects paying tribute and governed by imperial appointees. The 'wall' may refer metaphorically to protection (the physical wall wasn't built until Nehemiah) or prophetically anticipate Nehemiah's later work. The word 'reviving' (michyah) suggests restoration of life—God brought dead community back to vitality. The acknowledgment of continued bondage prevented triumphalism while recognizing genuine blessings received. Archaeological evidence confirms Persian period Judah was a small, poor province.

Questions for Reflection