And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this;
EZRA 9:13KJVWhat does Ezra 9:13 mean?
Ezra 9:13 expresses the idea that, despite the people's many wrongdoings and serious unfaithfulness, God has not punished them as harshly as they deserved and has instead shown them mercy by allowing some measure of rescue or survival. The verse is a humble acknowledgment of God's restraint and kindness in the face of the people's guilt.
Ezra is speaking in prayer after learning that some Israelites have broken God's laws by marrying foreign women. He is addressing God on behalf of the returned exiles, recognizing that their past actions—described as "evil deeds" and a "great trespass"—brought trouble upon them. Yet, Ezra notes that God's response has been gentler than their sins warranted, and that God has given them a chance to recover and continue as a people.
The Hebrew behind Ezra 9:13
- "Evil" (רַע, raʿ): This word refers to moral wrongdoing or harmful actions. In this context, it highlights that the people's actions were not just mistakes but serious offenses.
- "Great trespass" (גָּדוֹל, gadol + מַעַל, maʿal): The phrase points to a significant breach of trust or faithfulness, emphasizing the gravity of their disobedience.
- "Punished... less" (כָּחֵס, kḥes): This word is often understood as "to hold back" or "to restrain." Ezra is saying that God has held back the full measure of punishment they deserved.
- "Deliverance" (פְּלֵיטָה, pĕleitah): This word means escape or survival. Ezra is acknowledging that God has provided a way out or a remnant, rather than total destruction.
Why Ezra 9:13 matters
- Ezra 9:13 clarifies that the returned exiles saw their situation not as a sign of God's abandonment, but as evidence of His mercy, even after their repeated failures.
- The verse sets a tone of humility and repentance, which shapes the rest of Ezra's prayer and the community's response to their situation.
- Understanding the original words for "evil," "great trespass," and "deliverance" helps readers see the depth of the people's wrongdoing and the surprising generosity of God's response.