Ezra 9 4

Ezra 9:4 kjv

Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

Ezra 9:4 nkjv

Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.

Ezra 9:4 niv

Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice.

Ezra 9:4 esv

Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice.

Ezra 9:4 nlt

Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel came and sat with me because of this outrage committed by the returned exiles. And I sat there utterly appalled until the time of the evening sacrifice.

Ezra 9 verses

Ezra 9 4 Meaning

Ezra 9:4 describes the immediate, deep-seated distress shared by Ezra and a group of devout individuals upon discovering the widespread sin of intermarriage among the returned exiles. Those who truly "trembled at the words of the God of Israel"—meaning they held God's law in reverent fear and awe—gravitated towards Ezra. Their gathering symbolized their profound concern and shared conviction regarding the profound "faithlessness" (treachery) committed against God's covenant. Ezra himself remained in a state of utter shock and desolation, deeply affected by the spiritual transgression, enduring this posture of lament until the designated time of the evening sacrifice, signifying a period of intense grief and preparation for communal appeal to God.

Ezra 9 4 Context

Ezra 9:4 occurs in a critical post-exilic period, roughly 80 years after the initial return under Zerubbabel and about 60 years after the temple was rebuilt. Ezra, a priest and scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, has recently arrived in Jerusalem (Ezra 7). His mission is to teach God's statutes and ordinances and restore faithful worship. The verse follows the distressing revelation that the returned exiles—the priests, Levites, and lay people—have flagrantly disregarded the Lord's command against intermarriage with the pagan peoples of the land, taking wives from nations God had forbidden due to their idolatrous practices. This violation struck at the core of Israel's identity as a holy, separate people dedicated to the Lord. Ezra 9:4 encapsulates the profound immediate reaction to this spiritual crisis, setting the stage for Ezra's fervent prayer of confession that follows (Ezra 9:5-15) and the subsequent community-wide repentance and reform in Ezra 10.

Ezra 9 4 Word analysis

• Then all who trembled (וְכֹל הֶחֳרֵד / v’chol hechared):
  • trembled (חָרֵד / chared): This Hebrew word signifies more than mere fear; it denotes a profound, reverential awe and trembling in the face of God's holy word and its consequences. It implies deep spiritual sensitivity and obedience, as seen in Isa 66:2, contrasting with those who disregard God's commands. These individuals were spiritually discerning and deeply grieved by the breach of God's covenant.
• at the words of the God of Israel:
  • This refers directly to the divine commandments given through Moses, specifically concerning separation from pagan nations (Deut 7:3-4, Ex 34:15-16). The phrase "God of Israel" emphasizes His unique covenant relationship with His chosen people, whose identity and existence are intertwined with His holy decrees. Those who "trembled" understood the gravity of breaking such foundational principles of their covenant with the sovereign Lord of Israel.
• because of the faithlessness (מַעַל / ma'al):
  • faithlessness (מַעַל / ma'al): This significant Hebrew term describes a grave trespass, treachery, or unfaithfulness, particularly against something sacred or against God Himself, a breach of covenantal trust. It's often used for sacrilege or violating consecrated things (Lev 5:15-16; Num 5:6-8), as well as general disloyalty. Here, it denotes a profound act of betrayal against God by disregarding His direct commands, implying deliberate negligence or defiance despite knowing the Law and having experienced the consequences of past unfaithfulness (the exile). This sin threatened to contaminate the restored community's spiritual purity.
• of the returned exiles:
  • This specifies the culprits: those who had witnessed divine judgment firsthand, suffered the consequences of exile, and yet, upon returning to the land, repeated the very sins that led to their forefathers' downfall. This added another layer of shock and despair to Ezra and the faithful remnant, as it suggested a failure to learn from history.
• gathered around me:
  • This signifies solidarity and collective lament. It shows that Ezra's grief was not solitary but mirrored by others who shared his devotion to God's word. It highlights the formation of a righteous remnant who recognized the severity of the sin and sought leadership and communion in addressing it.
• while I sat appalled (שֹׁומֵם / shomem):
  • appalled (שֹׁומֵם / shomem): Derived from a root meaning 'to be desolate' or 'to be stunned/ruined,' this word describes Ezra's physical posture and profound inner state of shock, devastation, and utter despair. It was not mere sadness, but a deeply visceral and prophetic response to the spiritual ruin he perceived. This desolate posture expressed a sense of mourning over the people's sin, as if the land and people were laid waste again by their actions.
• until the evening sacrifice:
  • This phrase indicates a specific time of day (around 3 PM), which was the customary hour for the daily evening offering and associated prayers in the temple. This precise temporal marker suggests that Ezra remained in his state of deep mourning and shock for a considerable period. It also serves as a transition point, preparing the reader for Ezra's extensive prayer and confession which immediately follows, aligning his personal anguish with the formal worship schedule and underscoring the spiritual urgency.

Ezra 9 4 Bonus section

• The Power of Empathy and Identification with Sin: Ezra's deep anguish, extending to a prolonged period of desolation, highlights the quality of a spiritual leader who truly identifies with the sins of his people, even though he is personally innocent. This empathetic suffering mirrors the heart of God (as seen in prophetic lament like Jeremiah's) and often precedes true intercession and reform.
• A Call for True Piety: The distinction between "all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel" and "the returned exiles" who committed the sin, implies that not all who returned from Babylon truly internalized the lessons of the exile. It emphasizes that true piety is marked by reverence for God's word and sorrow over disobedience, setting a contrast between a formal return and a genuine spiritual one.
• Significance of the "Evening Sacrifice": More than just a time marker, the evening sacrifice was a moment of communal expiation and supplication. Ezra's waiting until this hour signals his intention to present the people's confession and prayer at a liturgically significant time, uniting personal and public lamentation with the regular rhythm of worship and atonement. This detail frames the impending prayer not merely as an emotional outburst, but as a deliberate and reverent approach to God for mercy.

Ezra 9 4 Commentary

Ezra 9:4 vividly portrays a community grappling with profound spiritual crisis. The collective dread of those who "trembled at God's words" underscores the foundational principle of living in awe and submission to divine authority. Their sorrow, aligning with Ezra's own extreme devastation, points to the shared conviction that the intermarriages were not minor transgressions but a severe act of "faithlessness" against God's holy covenant. Ezra's desolate posture until the evening sacrifice sets a solemn tone, revealing the deep personal cost of priestly leadership and serving as a potent symbol of lament over corporate sin. This verse captures a moment of intense, collective spiritual pain that was necessary before any true repentance and reform could begin.