Definition: And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 9:6. It’s a pretty powerful and somewhat dramatic passage about repentance and shame. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a feeling of deep regret and fear when someone realizes they’ve made serious mistakes. It's saying, "I feel incredibly ashamed and terrified because of what I’ve done." Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Ezra 9:6” : This refers to the book of Ezra, which is a historical account of events in ancient Jerusalem during the time of King Cyrus. “And said…” : This tells us that Ezra is speaking from a position of deep distress and confession. “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God:” This is the core of the verse. "Lift up my face" means to look upwards, to acknowledge God. "Blush" suggests a feeling of shame and embarrassment. Ezra is expressing profound regret for his actions. “for our iniquities are increased over [our] head…” : “Iniquities” means wrongdoings, sins, or transgressions. This part highlights the scale of the problem. “Increased over my head” implies that the consequences of these sins have grown significantly – it’s not just a small amount; they've become overwhelming. “…and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.” : This is where it gets really significant. “Trespass” refers to breaking God’s rules or laws. "Grown up unto the heavens" means these transgressions have reached a height – they’re so serious that they've ascended beyond the earth, becoming something truly distant and unreachable. It suggests these sins are now considered a permanent problem. Overall Meaning & Context: Ezra is essentially admitting to a long history of wrongdoing. The verse paints a picture of a nation struggling with deep shame and fear because of past mistakes. It’s a moment of profound repentance, acknowledging that the problems have become much worse than they were before. Important Note: This passage isn't about excusing the actions; it’s about expressing genuine remorse and recognizing the gravity of the situation. It was written in a time when the nation had been deeply troubled by its history of idolatry and broken worship. --- To help me explain this verse even better for you, could you tell me: What specifically are you finding confusing about it? (e.g., Do you want to know more about the historical context?)