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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezra 9:6 and said: "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezra/9-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/15_Ezr_09_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezra 9:6 - Ezra's Prayer of Confession" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and said: O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezra/9-6.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezra/9-6.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezra/">Ezra</a> > <a href="/ezra/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 6</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezra/9-5.htm" title="Ezra 9:5">◄</a> Ezra 9:6 <a href="/ezra/9-7.htm" title="Ezra 9:7">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/ezra/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/ezra/9.htm">New International Version</a> and prayed: &#8220I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. <a href="/nlt/ezra/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> I prayed, “O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens. <a href="/esv/ezra/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> saying: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens. <a href="/bsb/ezra/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens. <a href="/kjv/ezra/9.htm">King James Bible</a> And 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 trespass is grown up unto the heavens. <a href="/nkjv/ezra/9.htm">New King James Version</a> And I said: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens. <a href="/nasb_/ezra/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and I said, “My God, I am ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God, for our wrongful deeds have risen above our heads, and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. <a href="/nasb/ezra/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> and I said, &#8220O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. <a href="/nasb77/ezra/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and I said, “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to Thee, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads, and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. <a href="/lsb/ezra/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and I said, “O my God, I am ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have multiplied above our heads and our guilt has become great even to the heavens. <a href="/amp/ezra/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and I said, “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our wrongdoings have risen higher than our heads and our guilt has grown to the heavens. <a href="/csb/ezra/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> And I said: My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward you, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens. <a href="/hcsb/ezra/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> And I said: My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens. <a href="/asv/ezra/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> and 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. <a href="/cev/ezra/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and prayed: I am much too ashamed to face you, LORD God. Our sins and our guilt have swept over us like a flood that reaches up to the heavens. <a href="/erv/ezra/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> and 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. <a href="/gwt/ezra/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> and said, "I am ashamed, my God. I am embarrassed to look at you. Our sins have piled up over our heads, and our guilt is so overwhelming that it reaches heaven. <a href="/gnt/ezra/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> I said, "O God, I am too ashamed to raise my head in your presence. Our sins pile up higher than our heads; they reach as high as the heavens. <a href="/isv/ezra/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> and said, "My God, I am too ashamed and hurt to turn to you, because we're in our iniquities over our heads. Furthermore, my God, our sins have grown as high as the heavens. <a href="/msb/ezra/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> and said: ?O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens. <a href="/net/ezra/9.htm">NET Bible</a> I prayed, "O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to you, my God! For our iniquities have climbed higher than our heads, and our guilt extends to the heavens. <a href="/nheb/ezra/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and I said, "My God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God; for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens. <a href="/wbt/ezra/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And 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 trespass is grown up to the heavens. <a href="/web/ezra/9.htm">World English Bible</a> and I said, “My God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have increased over our head, and our guiltiness has grown up to the heavens. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/ezra/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and say, “O my God, I have been ashamed, and have blushed to lift up, O my God, my face to You, for our iniquities have increased over the head, and our guilt has become great to the heavens. <a href="/ylt/ezra/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and say, 'O my God, I have been ashamed, and have blushed to lift up, O my God, my face unto Thee, for our iniquities have increased over the head, and our guilt hath become great unto the heavens. <a href="/slt/ezra/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And saying, My God, I was ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face, O my God, to thee: for our iniquities were multiplied over the head, and our guilt was magnified even to the heavens.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/ezra/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And said: My God I am confounded and ashamed to lift up my face to thee: for our iniquities are multiplied over our heads, and our sins are grown up even unto heaven, <a href="/cpdv/ezra/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I said: “My God, I am confounded and ashamed to lift up my face to you. For our iniquities have been multiplied over our heads, and our offenses have increased, even up to heaven, <a href="/nabre/ezra/9.htm">New American Bible</a> I said: “My God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to raise my face to you, my God, for our wicked deeds are heaped up above our heads and our guilt reaches up to heaven. <a href="/nrsvce/ezra/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and said, “O my God, I am too ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/ezra/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And said, O my God, we are ashamed to lift up our faces to thee, our God; for our iniquities are increased over our head and our great sins have reached to the very heavens. <a href="/hpbt/ezra/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And I said: “My God, we are ashamed to raise our faces to you, our God, because our crimes have increased higher than our heads and our great sins went up unto Heaven.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/ezra/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> and 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. <a href="/sep/ezra/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> and I said, O Lord, I am ashamed and confounded, O my God, to lift up my face to thee: for our transgressions have abounded over our head, and our trespasses have increased even to heaven. <a href="/parallel/ezra/9-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sh6ec6iQe9M?start=2356" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/ezra/9.htm">Ezra's Prayer of Confession</a> 5At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God, 6<a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wā·’ō·mə·rāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs:: 3fs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said:</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">“O my God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/954.htm" title="954: bō·šə·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To be ashamed. A primitive root; properly, to pale, i.e. By implication to be ashamed; also to be disappointed or delayed.">I am ashamed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3637.htm" title="3637: wə·niḵ·lam·tî (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To be humiliated. A primitive root; properly, to wound; but only figuratively, to taunt or insult.">and embarrassed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7311.htm" title="7311: lə·hā·rîm (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf) -- To be high or exalted, rise. A primitive root; to be high actively, to rise or raise.">to lift up</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: pā·nay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">my face</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·le·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">my God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/5771.htm" title="5771: ‘ă·wō·nō·ṯê·nū (N-cpc:: 1cp) -- Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. Or oavown; from avah; perversity, i.e. evil.">our iniquities</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: rā·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">are higher than</a> <a href="/hebrew/4605.htm" title="4605: lə·ma‘·lāh (Prep-l:: Adv:: 3fs) -- From alah; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">our heads,</a> <a href="/hebrew/819.htm" title="819: wə·’aš·mā·ṯê·nū (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 1cp) -- Wrongdoing, guiltiness. Feminine of 'asham; guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering.">and our guilt</a> <a href="/hebrew/1431.htm" title="1431: ḡā·ḏə·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To grow up, become great. A primitive root; properly, to twist, i.e. To be large.">has reached</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: laš·šā·mā·yim (Prep-l, Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">the heavens.</a> 7From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and put to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation, as we are this day.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Daniel 9:4-19</a> And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances. / We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, fathers, and all the people of the land. ... <a href="/nehemiah/1-6.htm">Nehemiah 1:6-7</a> let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. / We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses. <a href="/psalms/106-6.htm">Psalm 106:6</a> We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly. <a href="/jeremiah/3-25.htm">Jeremiah 3:25</a> Let us lie down in our shame; let our disgrace cover us. We have sinned against the LORD our God, both we and our fathers; from our youth even to this day we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.” <a href="/leviticus/26-40.htm">Leviticus 26:40</a> But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— <a href="/2_chronicles/30-9.htm">2 Chronicles 30:9</a> For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.” <a href="/isaiah/64-6.htm">Isaiah 64:6</a> Each of us has become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. <a href="/lamentations/1-5.htm">Lamentations 1:5</a> Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy. <a href="/1_kings/8-47.htm">1 Kings 8:47</a> and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ <a href="/2_chronicles/6-37.htm">2 Chronicles 6:37</a> and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a> for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, <a href="/1_john/1-9.htm">1 John 1:9</a> If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. <a href="/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13</a> But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ <a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8-10</a> Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. / Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. / Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. <a href="/1_timothy/1-15.htm">1 Timothy 1:15</a> This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to you, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up to the heavens.I am ashamed<a href="/job/40-4.htm">Job 40:4</a> Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.<a href="/job/42-6.htm">Job 42:6</a> Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.<a href="/jeremiah/3-3.htm">Jeremiah 3:3,24,25</a> Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed… our iniquities<a href="/genesis/13-13.htm">Genesis 13:13</a> But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.<a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Psalm 38:4</a> For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.<a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a> Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.trespass.<a href="/2_chronicles/28-9.htm">2 Chronicles 28:9</a> But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven.<a href="/luke/15-21.htm">Luke 15:21</a> And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.<a href="/revelation/18-5.htm">Revelation 18:5</a> For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/8-22.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/ruth/2-15.htm">Blush</a> <a href="/jeremiah/31-19.htm">Blushed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-22.htm">Disgraced</a> <a href="/exodus/14-24.htm">Embarrassed</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/22-3.htm">Evil-Doing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-22.htm">Face</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/10-10.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-23.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-18.htm">Guiltiness</a> <a href="/ezra/9-3.htm">Head</a> <a href="/ezra/9-2.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/ezra/7-23.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-33.htm">Higher</a> <a href="/ezra/4-22.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/numbers/14-34.htm">Iniquities</a> <a href="/2_kings/6-31.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/ezra/5-15.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-16.htm">Mounted</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-13.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/ezra/9-5.htm">Risen</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-16.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/ezra/9-4.htm">Trespass</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/6-20.htm">Ashamed</a> <a href="/job/19-3.htm">Blush</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-16.htm">Blushed</a> <a href="/psalms/6-10.htm">Disgraced</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-29.htm">Embarrassed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-35.htm">Evil-Doing</a> <a href="/ezra/9-7.htm">Face</a> <a href="/job/17-7.htm">Grown</a> <a href="/ezra/9-7.htm">Guilt</a> <a href="/ezra/9-15.htm">Guiltiness</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-9.htm">Head</a> <a href="/ezra/10-5.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-25.htm">Higher</a> <a href="/ezra/10-10.htm">Increased</a> <a href="/ezra/9-7.htm">Iniquities</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-5.htm">Keeps</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/esther/8-14.htm">Mounted</a> <a href="/ezra/10-1.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/job/16-8.htm">Risen</a> <a href="/ezra/9-7.htm">Shame</a> <a href="/ezra/9-7.htm">Trespass</a><div class="vheading2">Ezra 9</div>1. <a href="/ezra/9-1.htm">Ezra mourns for the affinity of the people with strangers</a> 5. <a href="/ezra/9-5.htm">He prays unto God, with confession of sins</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezra/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezra/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>and said: Ezra's prayer begins with a direct address to God, indicating a personal and intimate communication. This reflects the biblical tradition of prayer as a dialogue with God, seen throughout the Old Testament in figures like Moses and David.“O my God, The use of "my God" signifies a personal relationship and covenantal bond between Ezra and the Lord. This echoes the covenant language found in <a href="/genesis/17-7.htm">Genesis 17:7</a>, where God establishes a personal relationship with His people.I am ashamed and embarrassed Ezra expresses deep personal and communal shame, a common theme in the Old Testament when Israel strays from God's commandments. This reflects the cultural importance of honor and shame in ancient Near Eastern societies, where communal identity and reputation were paramount.to lift up my face to You, my God, The act of lifting one's face is often associated with seeking favor or forgiveness. Ezra's reluctance to do so indicates profound humility and recognition of sin, similar to the posture of the tax collector in <a href="/luke/18-13.htm">Luke 18:13</a>.because our iniquities are higher than our heads, This metaphor suggests being overwhelmed by sin, akin to drowning. It reflects the gravity of Israel's disobedience, reminiscent of the flood narrative in <a href="/genesis/7.htm">Genesis 7</a>, where waters covered the earth.and our guilt has reached the heavens. The hyperbolic language emphasizes the severity of Israel's sin, suggesting it is so great that it demands divine attention. This mirrors the language used in <a href="/genesis/18-20.htm">Genesis 18:20-21</a> regarding the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, which also reached heaven and required God's intervention.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/e/ezra.htm">Ezra</a> A scribe and priest who led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He was deeply committed to the Law of God and played a crucial role in the spiritual reformation of the Jewish people. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where Ezra and the returning exiles sought to restore the worship of God and rebuild the community according to the Law. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_exiles.htm">The Exiles</a> The Jewish people who had returned from Babylonian captivity. They faced the challenge of re-establishing their identity and faithfulness to God amidst surrounding pagan influences. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_iniquities.htm">The Iniquities</a> Refers to the sins and transgressions of the people, particularly intermarriage with pagan nations, which was against God's commandments. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The central figure to whom Ezra directs his prayer of confession and repentance, acknowledging the holiness and justice of God in contrast to the people's sinfulness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_weight_of_sin.htm">The Weight of Sin</a> Ezra's description of sin as "increased over our heads" and "grown up to the heavens" illustrates the overwhelming nature of sin and its consequences. Believers should recognize the seriousness of sin in their lives and communities. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_confession.htm">The Role of Confession</a> Ezra's prayer demonstrates the importance of confession in restoring a right relationship with God. Confession should be sincere, acknowledging both personal and communal sins. <a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a> Ezra's shame and humiliation reflect a proper attitude before a holy God. Believers are called to approach God with humility, recognizing their need for His grace and forgiveness. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> Ezra's prayer highlights the collective responsibility of the community in addressing sin. Believers should support one another in maintaining faithfulness to God's commands. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_and_mercy.htm">God's Faithfulness and Mercy</a> Despite the people's unfaithfulness, Ezra's prayer is rooted in the hope of God's mercy. Believers can trust in God's faithfulness to forgive and restore those who turn to Him in repentance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezra_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezra 9</a> <a href="/q/should_ezra_abandon_foreign_families.htm">Should Ezra have ordered abandoning foreign wives and children?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_self-forgiveness.htm">What does the Bible say about self-forgiveness?</a> <a href="/q/how_can_a_nation_return_to_god.htm">How can a nation return to God after straying?</a> <a href="/q/why_separate_if_some_converted.htm">Ezra 10:44 – How can a just God require separating from wives and children if some may have converted to the faith?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezra/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - I am ashamed and blush. Jeremiah had complained that in his day those who "committed abominations were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush" (<a href="/jeremiah/6-15.htm">Jeremiah 6:15</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/8-12.htm">Jeremiah 8:12</a>). Ezra, with these words in his thoughts possibly, begins his confession with a protestation that he at any rate is not open to this reproach - he blushes and burns with shame for the sins of his people. Our iniquities are increased over our head. i.e. have kept on rising like a flood; "gone over our head" (<a href="/psalms/38-4.htm">Psalm 38:4</a>), and overwhelmed us. And our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Has grown to such a height that it has attracted the notice of God, and made him angry with us. <a href="/commentaries/ezra/9-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>and said: וָאֹמְרָ֗ה (wā·’ō·mə·rāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “O my God, אֱלֹהַי֙ (’ĕ·lō·hay) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative I am ashamed בֹּ֣שְׁתִּי (bō·šə·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_954.htm">Strong's 954: </a> To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed and embarrassed וְנִכְלַ֔מְתִּי (wə·niḵ·lam·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3637.htm">Strong's 3637: </a> To wound, to taunt, insult to lift up לְהָרִ֧ים (lə·hā·rîm) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7311.htm">Strong's 7311: </a> To be high actively, to rise, raise my face פָּנַ֖י (pā·nay) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face to You, אֵלֶ֑יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to my God, אֱלֹהַ֛י (’ĕ·lō·hay) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction our iniquities עֲוֺנֹתֵ֤ינוּ (‘ă·wō·nō·ṯê·nū) Noun - common plural construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5771.htm">Strong's 5771: </a> Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity are higher than רָבוּ֙ (rā·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> To be or become much, many or great our heads, רֹּ֔אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head and our guilt וְאַשְׁמָתֵ֥נוּ (wə·’aš·mā·ṯê·nū) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_819.htm">Strong's 819: </a> Guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a, sin-offering has reached גָדְלָ֖ה (ḡā·ḏə·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1431.htm">Strong's 1431: </a> To grow up, become great the heavens. לַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (laš·šā·mā·yim) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/ezra/9-6.htm">Ezra 9:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/ezra/9-6.htm">OT History: Ezra 9:6 And I said my God (Ezr. Ez) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezra/9-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezra 9:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezra 9:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezra/9-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezra 9:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezra 9:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>