Ezra 9 10

Ezra 9:10 kjv

And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,

Ezra 9:10 nkjv

And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments,

Ezra 9:10 niv

"But now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commands

Ezra 9:10 esv

"And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments,

Ezra 9:10 nlt

"And now, O our God, what can we say after all of this? For once again we have abandoned your commands!

Ezra 9 verses

Ezra 9 10 Meaning

Ezra 9:10 captures the essence of deep national repentance and overwhelming despair experienced by Ezra upon hearing of Israel's grave sin of intermarrying with foreign peoples. He acknowledges that they are without excuse before God, having continually abandoned His divine commandments, especially after having just been graciously returned from exile. The verse signifies profound shame and a recognition of the lack of a proper plea or justification for their actions in light of God's prior grace and faithfulness.

Ezra 9 10 Context

Ezra chapter 9 depicts the immediate aftermath of Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem and his mission to teach God's Law. After only a short time, officials approached Ezra with distressing news: the returning exiles—priests, Levites, and lay people—had not separated themselves from the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations, particularly by taking foreign wives, contrary to the Mosaic Law (Ex 34:16, Dt 7:3-4). This deeply grieved Ezra, as this sin was a primary reason for the seventy-year exile from which they had just returned by God's grace. His emotional reaction (Ezra 9:3-5), tearing his garment and pulling his hair, reflected his profound dismay and sorrow over the people's spiritual corruption. Ezra then fell on his knees in public lamentation, beginning the prayer found in Ezra 9:6-15. Verse 10 specifically articulates his speechless despair and admission of guilt on behalf of the entire community, realizing the depth of their rebellion despite God's renewed favor. Historically, the returned exiles were meant to be a holy remnant, and this intermarriage threatened their distinct identity, adherence to the covenant, and vulnerability to renewed idolatry, effectively erasing the lessons learned through their painful exile.

Ezra 9 10 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה, ve'attah): This phrase signals a transition from Ezra's historical reflection (verses 6-9), where he recounts Israel's persistent sin and God's unwavering faithfulness, to the immediate, desperate present situation. It conveys a sense of urgency and hopelessness given the repeated failures.
• O our God (אֱלֹהֵינוּ, 'Eloheynu): This is a direct, intimate, yet reverent address to God. The possessive "our" emphasizes the covenant relationship that God maintains with Israel despite their sin, and also underscores Ezra's intercession on behalf of the whole community, signifying shared corporate guilt and dependency.
• what shall we say (מַה־נֹּאמַר, mah-nomar): This rhetorical question expresses utter speechlessness and an absence of any possible defense or excuse. It conveys profound shame, confusion, and despair, recognizing the futility of offering any justification before God given the gravity of their sin. It indicates that the depth of their transgression renders them unable to plead their case.
• after this (אַחֲרֵי־זֹאת, 'acharey-zot): Refers directly to the egregious sin of intermarriage just uncovered, which was a direct violation of God's command regarding separation from the nations. Crucially, "after this" implies a betrayal after God's immense mercy in delivering them from exile and establishing them back in their land, making their sin even more reprehensible. It highlights their ingratitude and spiritual amnesia.
• For we have forsaken (כִּי עָזַבְנוּ, ki 'azavnu): The conjunction "for" explains the reason for their speechlessness. 'Azavnu means "to abandon," "to leave," "to forsake," or "to utterly neglect." It implies a deliberate, active turning away or letting go of their adherence to God's ways, rather than merely accidental oversight. It underscores conscious rebellion against divine authority.
• Thy commandments (מִצְוֹתֶיךָ, mitzvoteka): Refers to God's specific divine instructions and decrees, especially those within the Mosaic Law that prohibited intermarriage with pagan peoples (Ex 34:16; Deut 7:3-4) to prevent idolatry and spiritual corruption. The plural signifies comprehensive disobedience, not just isolated incidents, revealing a pattern of neglecting the divine standard.

Ezra 9 10 Bonus section

The deep silence of Ezra, indicated by his rhetorical question, points to a theological truth: genuine conviction of sin often leads to a state beyond words, where no defense is possible or even desired. This wordless confession highlights the utter sovereignty of God and the complete dependence of the sinner on divine mercy alone. Ezra's despair is not resignation but the crucible from which true intercession arises, rooted in a profound understanding of Israel's covenant responsibility and failure. This verse also implicitly polemicizes against any cultural relativism that would permit blending with surrounding pagan practices, asserting the absolute nature of God's divine commandments even in a pluralistic environment. It underscores the perpetual tension between assimilation and covenant faithfulness for God's people throughout history.

Ezra 9 10 Commentary

Ezra 9:10 serves as the powerful articulation of utter moral bankruptcy before God. Ezra, embodying the repentant heart of Israel, finds himself and his people completely devoid of any rational defense or mitigating argument. Their recent return from exile, a vivid testimony to God's merciful restoration, makes their immediate and willing relapse into the very sins that led to judgment all the more egregious. The intermarriage with foreign nations was not merely a social misstep; it was a profound abandonment of God's specific covenant instructions, designed to preserve Israel's distinct holiness and relationship with Him. Ezra's rhetorical "what shall we say" expresses not only personal shame but a recognition of corporate guilt and the complete absence of justification. This verse teaches us that true repentance begins with recognizing the weight of sin and having no excuses before a holy God, and it compels a plea for mercy based solely on His character, not human merit.Example: When believers continually return to sins they know are offensive to God, even after experiencing His grace and forgiveness, Ezra's "what shall we say after this?" reflects the profound shame and lack of excuse that should lead to renewed, heartfelt repentance.