Ezra 9:4
What does Ezra 9:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 9:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 9:4 means
Those who “trembled at the words of the God of Israel” gathered to Ezra. They are marked by reverence and a sensitive conscience. They assemble because the sin belongs to the returned exiles as a body. Ezra remains appalled until the evening sacrifice, letting the weight of the situation settle in before God. Waiting until the time of the oblation ties confession to worship: sin must be addressed in the presence of atoning sacrifice. This pause indicates seriousness and dependence—seeking God’s timing, not rushing to human solutions. Their trembling shows faith; they believe God’s words are living and that His warnings about idolatry are no empty threats.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then everyone who went in fear of the words of the God of Israel, because of the sin of those who had come back, came together to me; and I kept where I was, overcome with grief, till the evening offering.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and unto me are gathered every one trembling at the words of the God of Israel, because of the trespass of the removal, and I am sitting astonished till the present of the evening.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And there were assembled to me all that feared the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that were come from the captivity, and I sat sorrowful, until the evening sacrifice.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Then were assembled to me every one that trembled at the words of theGod of Israel, because of the unfaithfulness of those that had been carried away; and I sat overwhelmed until the evening oblation.
Context
After Ezra’s grief (verse 3), verse 4 introduces a circle of the faithful who share his fear of God. Their gathering anticipates a communal response. The reference to the evening oblation sets the liturgical moment for Ezra’s prayer in verses 5–15. The flow moves from shock to solemn assembly to confession. This verse signals that the matter will be addressed not merely administratively but spiritually, in alignment with temple worship and God’s revealed word.
v.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.
v.4This passage
v.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;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 66:2
For all these things hath my hand made, and so all these things came to be, saith Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembleth at my word.
- Psalms 119:136
Streams of water run down mine eyes, Because they observe not thy law. צ TSADHE.
- Acts 3:1
Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, beingthe ninth hour.
- Ezra 10:3
Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
- Daniel 9:21
yea, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.
- Ezekiel 9:4
And Jehovah said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry over all the abominations that are done in the midst thereof.