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A Paradoxical Situation and God’s Righteousness in Ezra 9:15

Abstract This article argues that the twice used conjunction כי in Ezra 9:15 should be interpreted as a concessive conjunction. Such a reading then suggests that the repatriated community is living in a paradoxical situation: YHWH is righteous, despite not destroying Israel for their sin; Israel stands before YHWH in guilt, despite the fact that they should not be able to. Consequently, this interpretation influences our understanding of the sentence »O LORD, God of Israel, you are just« (9:15) as a comment concerning God’s just punishment.