Ezra 9:14 Meaning and Explanation
“Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ezra asks how they could possibly break God's commandments again by allying with these peoples, when doing so would provoke God to leave no remnant at all.
What Does Ezra 9:14 Mean?
Ezra presses the logic of repentance home with questions. After such mercy, how could they once more break the commandments and bind themselves to these corrupting peoples? To do so would be to test God's patience past its limit, risking judgment so complete that no remnant would survive.
The fear voiced here is not mere dread but reverent realism about the gravity of renewed sin. Ezra knows the remnant exists only by grace and could be forfeited by stubborn rebellion. The verse calls the reader to take grace seriously, never as license to sin again, but as a reason to cling all the more to the One who spared them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 9:14
What does Ezra 9:14 mean?
Ezra asks how they could possibly break God's commandments again by allying with these peoples, when doing so would provoke God to leave no remnant at all.