Ezra 9:9
New International Version
Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia: He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
For we were slaves, but in his unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery. Instead, he caused the kings of Persia to treat us favorably. He revived us so we could rebuild the Temple of our God and repair its ruins. He has given us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.

Berean Standard Bible
Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but He has extended to us grace in the sight of the kings of Persia, giving us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and giving us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

King James Bible
For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

New King James Version
For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not abandoned us, but has extended favor to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to erect the house of our God, to restore its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
“For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
“For we are slaves; yet in our bondage, our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
For we are slaves; yet in our slavery our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us before the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its waste places, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
For we are slaves; yet our God has not abandoned us in our bondage, but has extended lovingkindness to us before the kings of Persia, to revive us to rebuild the house of our God, to repair the site of its ruins and to give us a wall [of protection] in Judah and Jerusalem.

Christian Standard Bible
Though we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended grace to us in the presence of the Persian kings, giving us relief, so that we can rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Though we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended grace to us in the presence of the Persian kings, giving us new life, so that we can rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

American Standard Version
For we are bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended lovingkindness unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the ruins thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Contemporary English Version
We are slaves, but you have never turned your back on us. You love us, and because of you, the kings of Persia have helped us. It's as though you have given us new life! You let us rebuild your temple and live safely in Judah and Jerusalem.

English Revised Version
For we are bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the ruins thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We are slaves, but our God hasn't abandoned us in our slavery. Instead, he has made the kings of Persia treat us kindly. He did this to give us an opportunity to rebuild our God's temple and restore its ruins and to give us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
We were slaves, but you did not leave us in slavery. You made the emperors of Persia favor us and permit us to go on living and to rebuild your Temple, which was in ruins, and to find safety here in Judah and Jerusalem.

International Standard Version
Even though we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. Instead, he has extended gracious love to us in the presence of the kings of Persia, to grant us revival, to set up the Temple of our God, to repair its damage, and to give us a protective wall for Judah and Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but He has extended to us grace in the sight of the kings of Persia, giving us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and giving us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.

NET Bible
Although we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our servitude. He has extended kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, in that he has revived us to restore the temple of our God and to raise up its ruins and to give us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
For we are bondservants; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended loving kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
For we were bond-men; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations of it, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

World English Bible
For we are bondservants; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended loving kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to set up the house of our God, and to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for we [are] servants, and in our servitude our God has not forsaken us, and stretches out to us kindness before the kings of Persia, to give to us a quickening to lift up the house of our God, and to cause its ruins to cease, and to give to us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Young's Literal Translation
for servants we are, and in our servitude our God hath not forsaken us, and stretcheth out unto us kindness before the kings of Persia, to give to us a quickening to lift up the house of our God, and to cause its wastes to cease, and to give to us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Smith's Literal Translation
For we are servants; and in our servitude God forsook us not, and he extended to us mercy before the kings of Persia, to give to us the preservation of life to set up the house of our God, and to cause its desolations to stand, and to give to us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For we are bondmen, and in our bondage our God hath not forsaken us, but hath extended mercy upon us before the king of the Persians, to give us life, and to set up the house of our God, and rebuild the desolations thereof, and to give us a fence in Juda and Jerusalem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For we are servants, yet in our servitude our God has not forsaken us, but he has inclined mercy upon us in the sight of the king of the Persians, so that he may give us life, and may raise up the house of our God, and repair its desolations, and give us a hedge in Judah and Jerusalem.

New American Bible
For slaves we are, but in our slavery our God has not abandoned us; rather, he has turned the good will of the kings of Persia toward us. Thus he has given us new life to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins, and has granted us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
For we are slaves; yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to give us new life to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judea and Jerusalem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For we are bondmen; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but our God has granted mercy in the sight of the kings of Persia, and has cared for us today, to set up the house of our God and to repair its ruins and to give us a secure place in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because we are Bond Servants, and in our bondage we are not abandoned by our God, and our God gave us favor before the Kings of Persia, and he gave today’s sustenance to us, and to raise up the house of our God, and he will repair her deserted places and he will give to us a fence in Judea and in Jerusalem.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For we are bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the ruins thereof, and to give us a fence in Judah and in Jerusalem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For we are slaves, yet in our servitude the Lord our God has not deserted us; and he has extended favour to us in the sight of the kings of the Persians, to give us a quickening, that they should raise up the house of our God, and restore the desolate places of it, and to give us a fence in Juda and Jerusalem.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ezra's Prayer of Confession
8But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the LORD our God to preserve for us a remnant and to give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our bondage, our God has given us new life and light to our eyes. 9Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but He has extended to us grace in the sight of the kings of Persia, giving us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and giving us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem. 10And now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commandments…

Cross References
Nehemiah 9:36-37
So here we are today as slaves in the land You gave our fathers to enjoy its fruit and goodness—here we are as slaves! / Its abundant harvest goes to the kings You have set over us because of our sins. And they rule over our bodies and our livestock as they please. We are in great distress.

Isaiah 44:26-28
who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’ / who says to the depths of the sea, ‘Be dry, and I will dry up your currents,’ / who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’”

Jeremiah 29:10-14
For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. / For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. / Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ...

2 Chronicles 36:22-23
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Daniel 9:25
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.

Haggai 1:8-9
Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD. / You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.

Zechariah 1:16
Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there My house will be rebuilt, declares the LORD of Hosts, and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem.’

Psalm 126:1-3
A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. / Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” / The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Isaiah 60:10
Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Although I struck you in anger, yet in favor I will show you mercy.

Jeremiah 31:28
Just as I watched over them to uproot and tear down, to demolish, destroy, and bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build and to plant,” declares the LORD.

Acts 15:16
‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,

Ephesians 2:19-22
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, / built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ...

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Romans 11:5
In the same way, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.

Hebrews 12:28
Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.


Treasury of Scripture

For we were slaves; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.

we were bondmen

Nehemiah 9:36,37
Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: …

yet our God

Psalm 106:45,46
And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies…

Psalm 136:23,24
Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: …

Ezekiel 11:16
Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come.

in the sight

Ezra 1:1-4,7-11
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, …

Ezra 6:1-12
Then Darius the king made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon…

Ezra 7:6,8,11-28
This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him…

to set up

Ezra 6:14,15
And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia…

Haggai 1:9
Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

Zechariah 4:6-10
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts…

repair.

Isaiah 5:2,5
And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes…

Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

Zechariah 2:5
For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

Jump to Previous
Bondage Bondmen Bondservants Desolations Extended Fence Forsaken House Jerusalem Judah Kindness Kings Loving Mercy Persia Repair Reviving Ruins Sight Slaves Thereof Wall
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Bondage Bondmen Bondservants Desolations Extended Fence Forsaken House Jerusalem Judah Kindness Kings Loving Mercy Persia Repair Reviving Ruins Sight Slaves Thereof Wall
Ezra 9
1. Ezra mourns for the affinity of the people with strangers
5. He prays unto God, with confession of sins














Though we are slaves
This phrase acknowledges the Israelites' subjugation and lack of autonomy. The Hebrew word for "slaves" here is "עֲבָדִים" (avadim), which can also mean servants. Historically, this reflects the period after the Babylonian exile when the Israelites were under Persian rule. Despite their status, they recognize their identity as God's chosen people, which transcends earthly bondage.

our God has not forsaken us
The Hebrew root for "forsaken" is "עָזַב" (azav), meaning to leave or abandon. This phrase is a profound declaration of faith, emphasizing God's unwavering presence and faithfulness. Despite their physical captivity, the Israelites experience spiritual freedom and assurance in God's covenantal promises.

in our bondage
The term "bondage" here is "שִׁבְיָנוּ" (shivenu), indicating captivity or imprisonment. This reflects the historical context of the Israelites' exile and subjugation under foreign powers. Yet, it also serves as a metaphor for spiritual captivity, from which God offers deliverance.

He has shown us kindness
The Hebrew word for "kindness" is "חֶסֶד" (chesed), often translated as loving-kindness or steadfast love. This term is rich in covenantal significance, highlighting God's loyal love and mercy towards His people, even in their unfaithfulness.

in the sight of the kings of Persia
This phrase underscores the historical reality of Persian influence over the Israelites. The Persian kings, notably Cyrus and Darius, were instrumental in allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This favor is seen as divinely orchestrated, demonstrating God's sovereignty over nations.

granting us new life
The concept of "new life" is central to the theme of restoration. The Hebrew word "חַיּוּת" (chayyut) implies vitality and renewal. This phrase signifies not only physical restoration to their land but also spiritual revival and hope for the future.

to rebuild the house of our God
The "house of our God" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and symbol of God's presence among His people. The rebuilding signifies a renewal of worship and a return to covenantal faithfulness.

and repair its ruins
The act of repairing "ruins" symbolizes restoration from desolation and judgment. The Hebrew word "חָרְבוֹת" (charvot) indicates devastation. This rebuilding effort is a physical manifestation of spiritual renewal and God's redemptive work.

He has given us a wall of protection
The "wall of protection" is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, it refers to the physical walls of Jerusalem, essential for security. Metaphorically, it represents God's providential care and safeguarding of His people, ensuring their survival and flourishing.

in Judah and Jerusalem
This locational reference grounds the narrative in the historical and geographical reality of the Jewish return to their ancestral homeland. Judah and Jerusalem are central to Jewish identity and God's redemptive plan, serving as the backdrop for the unfolding of biblical history and prophecy.

Verse 9. - For we were bondsmen. Rather, "we are." The Jews had not recovered their independence. They continued to be the subjects of a despotic monarch, and were therefore 'abddim, "slaves." All the favour shown them by the kings of Persia had not changed this fact. To give us a wall. That is to say, "a shelter." The city wall still lay in ruins (see Nehemiah 1:3; Nehemiah 2:13, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Though
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we
אֲנַ֔חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

are slaves,
עֲבָדִ֣ים (‘ă·ḇā·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

our God
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

forsaken us
עֲזָבָ֖נוּ (‘ă·zā·ḇā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common plural
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

in our bondage,
וּבְעַבְדֻ֔תֵנוּ (ū·ḇə·‘aḇ·ḏu·ṯê·nū)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 5659: Servitude, bondage

but He has extended
וַֽיַּט־ (way·yaṭ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

to us
עָלֵ֣ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

grace
חֶ֡סֶד (ḥe·seḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

in the sight
לִפְנֵי֩ (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the kings
מַלְכֵ֨י (mal·ḵê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Persia,
פָרַ֜ס (p̄ā·ras)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6539: Persia -- a country in west Asia which conquered Babylon

giving
לָֽתֶת־ (lā·ṯeṯ-)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

us new life
מִֽחְיָ֗ה (miḥ·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4241: Preservation of life, sustenance, the live flesh, the quick

to rebuild
לְרוֹמֵ֞ם (lə·rō·w·mêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

the house
בֵּ֤ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of our God
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and repair
וּלְהַעֲמִ֣יד (ū·lə·ha·‘ă·mîḏ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

its ruins,
חָרְבֹתָ֔יו (ḥā·rə·ḇō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2723: Waste, desolation, ruin

and giving
וְלָֽתֶת־ (wə·lā·ṯeṯ-)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

us
לָ֣נוּ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 0: 0

a wall of protection
גָדֵ֔ר (ḡā·ḏêr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1447: A circumvallation, an inclosure

in Judah
בִּֽיהוּדָ֖ה (bî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

and Jerusalem.
וּבִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (ū·ḇî·rū·šā·lim)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


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OT History: Ezra 9:9 For we are bondservants (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 9:8
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