Ezra 9:10

And now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commandments

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Ezra addresses God on behalf of the returned exiles immediately after cataloging their intermarriage with foreign peoples and their neglect of divine law. He speaks at a moment of corporate reckoning following the reading of the law and the community's confession.

The words — The Hebrew מַה נֹּאמַר (mah no-mar) literally means "what will we say," marking a rhetorical admission of having no defense. The verb עָזַבְנוּ ('azavnu) translates directly as "we have forsaken," pinpointing the active abandonment of the commandments.

The thread — This rhetorical stance of speechless accountability appears in Genesis 44:16 and Joshua 7:8, where figures confront the results of covenant violation. It stands in structural contrast to Lamentations 3:22, which moves from confession to a declarative statement about God's mercies.

Why it lands — The text requires a reader to stop justifying disobedience and simply name the breach of instruction. It places the burden of accountability squarely on the community before any appeal for grace is made.

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The Hebrew words

וְעַתָּ֛הve./'a.Tahand/ therefore מַה־mah-what?נֹּאמַ֥רno.Marwill we say אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ'e.lo.Hei./nuO God/ our אַֽחֲרֵי־'a.cha.rei-after זֹ֑אתZotthis כִּ֥יkifor עָזַ֖בְנוּ'a.Zav.nuwe have forsaken מִצְוֹתֶֽיךָ׃mitz.vo.Tei./khacommandments/ your

King James Version

And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,

Cross-references

Genesis 44:16 “What can we say to my lord?” Judah replied. “How can we plead? How can we justify ourselves? God has exposed the iniquity of your servants. We are now my lord’s slaves—both we and the one who was found with the cup.”
Joshua 7:8 O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?
Lamentations 3:22 Because of the loving devotion of the LORD we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail.
Daniel 9:4 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,
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God.