BibleWord.ai› Bible› Ezra› Chapter 9› Verse 6

Ezra 9:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Ezra 9:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and I 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 guiltiness is grown up unto the heavens.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and I 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 guiltiness is grown up unto the heavens.
Ezra 9:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Ezra 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my robe, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down confounded.
4Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the trespass of them of the captivity; and I sat confounded until the evening oblation.
5And at the evening oblation I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe rent; and I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto Jehovah my God;
6and I 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 guiltiness is grown up unto the heavens.
7Since the days of our fathers we have been exceeding guilty 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 plunder, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.
8And now for a little moment grace hath been showed from Jehovah 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.
9For we are bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended lovingkindness 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 ruins thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
← Ezra 9:5Ezra 9:7 →
← Full Chapter 9 Ezra Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And said, O my God, etc.] Here begins the prayer of Ezra, and that with faith in God as covenant God, even when he was about to make confession of sin, and repentance for it; that prayer is right which is put up in faith, and that repentance genuine which is accompanied with faith, and flows from it: I am ashamed, and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God; a true sight and sense of sin causes shame and blushing, and never more than when a man is sensible of his covenant interest in God, and of his grace and favour to him, particularly in the forgiveness of his sin, (see <261661>Ezekiel 16:61,63) for our iniquities are increased over our head; arisen and swelled like mighty waters, which…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Our - He includes himself in the number of the transgressors, because he himself was guilty of many sins; and because the princes and priests, and so many of the people having done this, the guilt was now become national. Ezra 9:7”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“9:6-15 Ezra’s prayer provides a model for intercessory prayer (cp. Neh 1:5-11; Dan 9:4-19). It includes confessing sin (Ezra 9:6-7), remembering God’s past grace (9:8-9), admitting that the people have ignored God (9:10-12), and recognizing their unworthiness (9:13-15). 9:6 I am utterly ashamed . . . our sins are piled higher than our heads: Although he was not one of the offending parties, Ezra personally identified with his people (see “Community Identity” Theme Note).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I am ashamed: Job 40:4, Job 42:6; Jer 3:3, Jer 3:24, Jer 3:25, Jer 6:15, Jer 8:12, Jer 31:19; Eze 16:63; Dan 9:7, Dan 9:8; Rom 6:21 our iniquities: Gen 13:13; Psa 38:4; Isa 1:18, Isa 59:12 trespass: or, guiltiness grown up: Ch2 28:9; Luk 15:21; Rev 18:5 Ezra 9:7”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Ezra 9 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification