Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Ezra 9:7
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.
7. The record of Israelite history, i.e. sin and its retribution. But for their sin, the Israelites would have had a far different history.
Since the days of our fathers ] The exact phrase hardly occurs elsewhere except Mal 3:7 ‘From the days of your fathers ye have turned aside from mine ordinances’. The context there seems to show that, though the expression is purposely indefinite, it points back to the time when the Law was first given, and is equivalent to saying ‘from the first beginnings of the Israelite people’.
have we been in a great trespass ] R.V. we have been exceedingly guilty. Marg. Heb. in great guiltiness. See note on Ezr 9:6.
we, our kings, and our priests ] i.e. the nation, with its civil and sacred chiefs. Cf. the fuller category Neh 9:32 ‘Our kings our princes our priests our prophets our fathers’.
the kings of the lands ] With special reference to ‘the kings of Assyria’ (Neh 9:32) and Babylon.
sword captivity spoil (R.V. spoiling) confusion of face ] Life, freedom, property, honour: items of the penalty. ‘Confusion of face’, lit. shame of face, i.e. dishonour. Cf. Dan 9:7-8 ‘Unto us confusion of face, as it is this day’, ‘To us belongeth confusion of face’. 2Ch 32:21 ‘So he returned with shame of face’. ‘Spoiling’: a late Hebrew word, occurring also in Est 9:10; Est 9:15-16; Dan 11:24; Dan 11:33 ; 2Ch 14:14; 2Ch 25:13; 2Ch 28:14.
as it is this day ] cf. Ezr 9:15; Neh 9:10; Deu 6:24; Jer 44:22.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Very similar in tone to this are the confessions of Nehemiah Neh 9:29-35 and of Daniel (see the marginal references). The captivity had done its work by deeply convincing of sin the Jewish nation that had previously been so proud and self-righteous.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
We have been in a great trespass unto this day: we are not purged from the guilt and filth of our fathers sins, but we are still feeling the sad effects of their sins in the continuing captivity of a great number of our brethren; and we are still repeating the same sins.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day,…. The sins they were guilty of had been long continued in, which was an aggravation of them:
and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands; the ten tribes and their king into the hand of the king of Assyria, the kings of Judah, Jehoiakim, Jeconiah, and Zedekiah, into the hands of the king of Babylon, with the priests and people:
to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil; some were slain with the sword, others carried captive, and the houses of them all plundered and spoiled:
and to confusion of face, as it is this day; being filled with shame when they reflected on their sins, the cause of those evils; and besides, the captivity of the ten tribes continued, and of many others, which exposed them to shame among their neighbours.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
7. Sword captivity spoil Bitterly true, as the very stones of Jerusalem might testify.
Confusion of face Having nothing to answer to vindicate themselves, for their own sins had brought them thus low.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ezr 9:7 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.
Ver. 7. Since the days of our fathers ] Confession with aggravation is that happy spunge that wipeth out all the blots and blurs of our lives; for, if we confess our sins, and therein lay load enough upon ourselves, as Ezra here, and Daniel doth, Dan 9:5 (mark how full in the mouth these good men are, out of the abundant hatred of sin in their hearts), “God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,” &c., 1Jn 1:9 . But in confession we must not extenuate or excuse; every sin must swell as a toad in our eyes, and we must spit it out of our mouths with utmost indignation; showing the Lord the iniquity of our sin, the filthiness of our lewdness, the abomination of our provocations, Rom 7:13 . Thus if we weigh our sins in a true balance, and put in so many weights as to bring to a just humiliation, to a godly sorrow; then it will prove a right apology, the same that the apostle maketh a fruit and sign of sound repentance, 2Co 7:11 , quae magis deprecatione constat, quam depulsione criminum, such an apology as consisteth rather in deprecating than defending (Chemnit. Exam.).
Have we been in a great trespass unto this day
And for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests
And to confusion of face
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
been delivered. For these selfsame sins! as in Ezr 9:2. confusion of face. Compare Dan 9:5-7.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Since the days: Num 32:14, 2Ch 29:6, 2Ch 30:7, Neh 9:32-34, Psa 106:6, Psa 106:7, Lam 5:7, Dan 9:5-8, Zec 1:4, Zec 1:5, Mat 23:30-33, Act 7:51, Act 7:52
for our iniquities: Lev 26:14-46, Deu 4:25-28, Deu 28:15-68, Deu 29:22-28, Deu 30:17-19, Deu 31:20-22, Deu 32:15-28, 1Sa 12:15, 1Ki 9:6-9, Neh 9:30
into the hand: 2Ki 17:5-8, 2Ki 18:9-12, 2Ki 24:1-4, 2Ch 36:16-19, Neh 9:36, Neh 9:37, Dan 9:11-14
to confusion: Dan 9:7, Dan 9:8
as it is this day: Neh 9:32, Jer 25:18, Jer 44:22
Reciprocal: Exo 32:31 – sinned Deu 29:28 – as it is this day 1Ki 8:47 – saying 2Ch 6:37 – We have sinned 2Ch 10:19 – unto this day 2Ch 36:14 – all the chief 2Ch 36:17 – he brought Neh 1:6 – confess Neh 9:2 – confessed Isa 24:5 – because Jer 2:26 – their kings Jer 3:25 – we and our Jer 7:19 – the confusion Jer 7:25 – the day Jer 14:7 – for our Jer 14:20 – We acknowledge Jer 30:15 – for the Jer 32:23 – but Jer 32:32 – they Jer 44:9 – ye forgotten Eze 2:3 – rebelled Eze 11:12 – General Eze 23:43 – old Dan 9:6 – our kings Hos 2:5 – hath done Hos 4:7 – they were Zec 1:2 – Lord Luk 20:22 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Ezr 9:7-8. Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass We are not purged from the guilt of our fathers sins, but we are still feeling the sad effects of them; yea, and are repeating the same sins. And now for a little space grace hath been showed It is but a little while since God hath delivered us, and yet we are already returned to our sin and folly. Or, we have enjoyed this favour but a little while, now we are sinning it away, and shortening our own happiness. To leave us a remnant to escape That by his favour many of us should escape out of captivity; whom he calls but a remnant, because the greatest part of the Israelitish nation was yet in captivity. To give us a nail Some kind of settlement; whereas before we were tossed and removed from place to place as our masters pleased. It is a metaphor from tents, which are fastened by cords and nails, or pins. In his holy place In this holy land, as the land of Judah is called, Zec 2:12. Or, in Jerusalem, called the holy city, (Neh 11:1; Neh 11:18; Daniel 10:24,) which is peculiarly mentioned, because of the temple, which was the nail that fastened their tents, and gave them some hopes of continuing in their land. That our God may lighten our eyes That he might revive and comfort our hearts. For, as darkness is often put for a state of sorrow and affliction, so light is put for joy and comfort. And give us a little reviving in our bondage For we are not quite delivered, being even here in subjection to our former lords.