Ezra 9:5
What does Ezra 9:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 9:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 9:5 means
At the evening sacrifice, Ezra rises from his humbled, mourning state, still wearing torn garments as a sign of contrition. He falls to his knees and spreads out his hands to Jehovah his God—a posture of helplessness and appeal. The timing is crucial: he prays when daily atonement is set before the people, acknowledging that forgiveness and renewal must come from God. Ezra’s outward posture mirrors his heart; he is ready to confess not someone else’s sins but the community’s, including his own solidarity in the guilt. This is leadership by intercession: he steps forward to speak honestly to God about the people’s unfaithfulness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And at the evening offering, having made myself low before God, I got up, and with signs of grief, falling down on my knees, with my hands stretched out to the Lord my God,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And at the present of the evening I have risen from mine affliction, and at my rending my garment and my upper robe, then I bow down on my knees, and spread out my hands unto Jehovah my God,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And at the evening sacrifice I rose up from my affliction, and having rent my mantle and my garment, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands to the Lord my God,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And at the evening oblation I arose up from my humiliation; and with my mantle and my garment rent, I fell on my knees, and spread out my hands to Jehovah myGod,
Context
Verse 5 marks the transition from silence and shock (verses 3–4) to the prayer that forms the chapter’s core (verses 6–15). The mention of the evening oblation connects the prayer to temple worship, reinforcing the theme of restored yet endangered fellowship with God. What follows will be a thorough confession grounded in Israel’s history (verses 6–9), God’s commandments (verses 10–12), and a sober reckoning with present guilt and possible judgment (verses 13–15).
v.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.
v.5This passage
v.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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 143:6
I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soulthirstethafter thee, as a weary land. [Selah
- Exodus 9:29
And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto Jehovah; the thunders shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know that the earth is Jehovah’s.
- Psalms 141:2
Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee; The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
- 2 Chronicles 6:13
(for Solomon had made a brazen scaffold, five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven);
- Ephesians 3:14
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father,
- Acts 21:5
And when it came to pass that we had accomplished the days, we departed and went on our journey; and they all, with wives and children, brought us on our way till we were out of the city: and kneeling down on the beach, we prayed, and bade each other farewell;