Ezra 9:5
New International Version
Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God

New Living Translation
At the time of the sacrifice, I stood up from where I had sat in mourning with my clothes torn. I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the LORD my God.

English Standard Version
And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God,

Berean Standard Bible
At 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,

King James Bible
And 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,

New King James Version
At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.

New American Standard Bible
But at the evening offering I stood up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I bowed down on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God;

NASB 1995
But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God;

NASB 1977
But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God;

Legacy Standard Bible
But at the evening offering I arose from my affliction, even with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to Yahweh my God;

Amplified Bible
At the evening offering I arose from my [time of] humiliation and penitence and having torn my clothing and my robe, I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God,

Christian Standard Bible
At the evening offering, I got up from my time of humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to Yahweh my God.

American Standard Version
And 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;

Contemporary English Version
At the time of the evening sacrifice, I was still sitting there in sorrow with my clothes all torn. So I got down on my knees, then lifted my arms,

English Revised Version
And at the evening oblation I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my mantle rent; and I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
At the evening sacrifice I got up from my misery, and with my clothes torn, I knelt down, stretched out my hands to the LORD my God in prayer,

Good News Translation
When the time came for the evening sacrifice, I got up from where I had been grieving, and still wearing my torn clothes, I knelt in prayer and stretched out my hands to the LORD my God.

International Standard Version
At the time of the evening sacrifice, I arose from my discouragement. Still in my torn garment and robe, I fell to my knees with my hands outstretched to the LORD my God,

Majority Standard Bible
At 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,

NET Bible
At the time of the evening offering I got up from my self-abasement, with my tunic and robe torn, and then dropped to my knees and spread my hands to the LORD my God.

New Heart English Bible
At the evening offering I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn; and I fell on my knees, and spread out my hands to the LORD my God;

Webster's Bible Translation
And at the evening sacrifice I arose from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands to the LORD my God,

World English Bible
At the evening offering I rose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe torn; and I fell on my knees, and spread out my hands to Yahweh my God;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And at the present of the evening I have risen from my affliction, and at my tearing my garment and my upper robe, then I bow down on my knees, and spread out my hands to my God YHWH,

Young's Literal Translation
And 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,

Smith's Literal Translation
And at the sacrifice of the evening I rose up from my humbling; and in my rending my garment and my robe and I shall bend upon my knees and spread forth my hands to Jehovah my God.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And 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,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And at the evening sacrifice, I rose up from my affliction, and, having torn my cloak and my tunic, I fell to my knees, and I reached out my hands to the Lord, my God.

New American Bible
Then, at the time of the evening sacrifice, I rose in my wretchedness, and with cloak and mantle torn I fell on my knees, stretching out my hands to the LORD, my God.

New Revised Standard Version
At the evening sacrifice I got up from my fasting, with my garments and my mantle torn, and fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And at the ninth hour I rose up from my sorrow; and having torn my garments, I fell upon my knees and spread out my hands in prayer before the LORD God,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And at the moment of the ninth hour, I arose from my griefs and from the tearing of my garments, and I bowed on my knees and I spread my hands in prayer before LORD JEHOVAH God
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And at the evening offering I arose up from my fasting, even with my garment and my mantle rent; and I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And at the evening sacrifice I rose up from my humiliation; and when I had rent my garments, then I trembled, and I bow myself on my knees, and spread out my hands to the Lord God,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezra's Prayer of Confession
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, 6and 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.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

Daniel 9:3
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

1 Kings 21:27
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.

Jonah 3:5-6
And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

2 Chronicles 34:27
because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.

Psalm 35:13-14
Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. / I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.

Isaiah 58:5
Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD?

Jeremiah 6:26
O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.

Lamentations 3:29
Let him bury his face in the dust—perhaps there is still hope.

Matthew 6:16-18
When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Luke 18:13
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!’

Acts 9:9
For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.

1 Corinthians 7:5
Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.


Treasury of Scripture

And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell on my knees, and spread out my hands to the LORD my God,

heaviness.

2 Chronicles 6:13
For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of 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 congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

Psalm 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Luke 22:41
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

spread

Exodus 9:29,33
And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S…

1 Kings 8:22,38,54
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: …

Psalm 141:2
Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Jump to Previous
Affliction Evening Falling Fasting Fell Garment Garments Grief Hands Heaviness Humiliation Knees Low Mantle Offering Present Rending Rent Risen Robe Rose Sacrifice Self-Abasement Signs Spread Stretched Torn Tunic Upper
Jump to Next
Affliction Evening Falling Fasting Fell Garment Garments Grief Hands Heaviness Humiliation Knees Low Mantle Offering Present Rending Rent Risen Robe Rose Sacrifice Self-Abasement Signs Spread Stretched Torn Tunic Upper
Ezra 9
1. Ezra mourns for the affinity of the people with strangers
5. He prays unto God, with confession of sins














Then, at the evening sacrifice
The phrase "evening sacrifice" refers to the daily offering made in the temple, a practice rooted in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 29:39). This time of day, around 3 PM, was significant for prayer and reflection. The Hebrew term for "sacrifice" is "minchah," which often denotes a gift or offering. Historically, this was a moment of communal gathering and spiritual introspection, symbolizing a time when the people of Israel would seek God's presence and favor.

I rose from my self-abasement
"Self-abasement" here is a translation of the Hebrew word "tapeinosis," which implies humility and contrition. Ezra's act of rising signifies a transition from a state of mourning and repentance to one of active supplication. This reflects a deep personal humility before God, acknowledging sin and seeking divine mercy. In the broader scriptural context, self-abasement is a posture of the heart that God honors, as seen in passages like James 4:10, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up."

with my tunic and cloak torn
The tearing of garments was a traditional expression of grief and repentance in ancient Israel (Genesis 37:29, 2 Samuel 1:11). The "tunic" and "cloak" represent Ezra's personal and public identity, indicating that his sorrow was both personal and communal. This act was a visible sign of inner turmoil and a plea for divine intervention, demonstrating the seriousness of the situation and the depth of Ezra's distress over the people's unfaithfulness.

and fell on my knees
Falling on one's knees is a posture of submission and earnest prayer. In the Hebrew tradition, kneeling is a physical expression of worship and supplication, as seen in Daniel 6:10. This act underscores Ezra's recognition of God's sovereignty and his own dependence on divine grace. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and reverence in prayer.

with my hands spread out
Spreading out hands in prayer is a gesture of openness and surrender, symbolizing a plea for God's mercy and blessing. This posture is seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in 1 Kings 8:22, where Solomon spreads his hands toward heaven. It reflects a heart open to receive from God and a willingness to be guided by His will.

to the LORD my God
The use of "LORD" (YHWH) emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel. "My God" personalizes this relationship, indicating Ezra's intimate connection and commitment to the God of his ancestors. This phrase highlights the personal nature of faith and the importance of recognizing God's lordship in every aspect of life. It serves as a reminder of the faithfulness of God to His people, even when they have strayed, and the hope of restoration through repentance.

(5-15) Ezra's prayer of confession and deprecation.

(5) And at the evening sacrifice I arose up.--Until the afternoon Ezra had sat silent and in grief before the Temple, and in presence of the people. Then, amidst the solemnities of the sacrifice, he uttered the prayer which he had been meditating.

(6) And said, O my God.--The confession begins with "O my God;" but Ezra is the representative of the people, and it proceeds "O our God" (Ezra 9:10), without once returning to the first person.

(7) Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass.--In these Common Prayers of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel, the race of Israel is regarded as one, and national sins as one "great trespass." The repetition of "this day" at the beginning and at the end of the verse is to be observed: in the former place in reference to the sin; in the latter in reference to the punishment.

(8) A little space.--The "little" here and at the close of the sentence are emphatic. All the present tokens of mercy are said at the conclusion of the prayer (Ezra 9:14) to be conditional in their continuance. The little space from the time of Cyrus was nearly two generations; but it was a moment only in relation to the past and the possible future. The idea is inverted in Isaiah 54:7 : "For a small moment have I forsaken thee."

Nail in his holy place.--The Temple was itself the sure nail on which all their hopes hung. . . .

Verse 5. - At the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness. The time of sacrifice was the fittest time for prayer, especially for a prayer in which acknowledgment of sin was to form a large part. Sacrifice symbolized expiation; and Ezra probably felt that his supplication would be helped by the expiatory rite which was being performed at the time. He rent his garment and his mantle a second time, as a renewed indication of sorrow, and with the view of impressing the people who "were assembled unto him" (ver. 4) the more, and stirring them up to penitence. "Segnius irritant animum demissa per aures Quam quae sunt oculis subjecta fidelibus."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At the evening
הָעֶ֗רֶב (hā·‘e·reḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6153: Evening

offering,
וּבְמִנְחַ֣ת (ū·ḇə·min·ḥaṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

I got up
קַ֚מְתִּי (qam·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

from my humiliation
מִתַּֽעֲנִיתִ֔י (mit·ta·‘ă·nî·ṯî)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8589: Affliction, fasting

with my tunic
בִגְדִ֖י (ḇiḡ·ḏî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage

and cloak
וּמְעִילִ֑י (ū·mə·‘î·lî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 4598: A robe

torn,
וּבְקָרְעִ֥י (ū·ḇə·qā·rə·‘î)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7167: To rend

and I fell
וָֽאֶכְרְעָה֙ (wā·’eḵ·rə·‘āh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

my knees,
בִּרְכַּ֔י (bir·kay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 1290: The knee

spread out
וָאֶפְרְשָׂ֥ה (wā·’ep̄·rə·śāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

my hands
כַפַּ֖י (ḵap·pay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

my God,
אֱלֹהָֽי׃ (’ĕ·lō·hāy)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


Links
Ezra 9:5 NIV
Ezra 9:5 NLT
Ezra 9:5 ESV
Ezra 9:5 NASB
Ezra 9:5 KJV

Ezra 9:5 BibleApps.com
Ezra 9:5 Biblia Paralela
Ezra 9:5 Chinese Bible
Ezra 9:5 French Bible
Ezra 9:5 Catholic Bible

OT History: Ezra 9:5 At the evening offering I arose up (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 9:4
Top of Page
Top of Page