Ezra 9:4 Meaning and Explanation
“Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Those who revered God's word gathered around the grieving Ezra, and he sat appalled until the time of the evening sacrifice.
What Does Ezra 9:4 Mean?
Ezra's visible sorrow draws others. Those who 'trembled' at God's word are the tender-hearted who take Scripture seriously, and they share his alarm over the sin of the returned exiles. Ezra remains in mourning through the day until the hour of the evening offering, a fixed time of approach to God.
The gathering shows that grief over sin is not weakness but reverence. To tremble at God's word is to honor it as truly His. By waiting until the evening sacrifice, Ezra ties his mourning to worship, preparing to bring the people's guilt before the Lord at the very moment appointed for drawing near.
Ezra 9:4 in the Original Language
chared (חָרֵד), 'trembled' -- to shake with reverent fear before God's word.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 9:4
What does Ezra 9:4 mean?
Those who revered God's word gathered around the grieving Ezra, and he sat appalled until the time of the evening sacrifice.