Ezra 9:1

Translations

Modern

After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.

Traditional

Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.

Literal

And at the completion of these things the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands as to their abominations, even the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, the Ammonite, the Moabite, the Egyptian, and the Amorite.

Latin

Postquam autem hæc completa sunt, accesserunt ad me principes, dicentes: Non est separatus populus Israël, sacerdotes et Levitæ, a populis terrarum et abominationibus eorum: Chananæi videlicet, et Hethæi, et Pherezæi, et Jebusæi, et Ammonitarum, et Moabitarum, et Ægyptiorum, et Amorrhæorum:

Original

Hebrew

English

After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.

Notes

Ezra 9:1–2

The events that follow occurred about four months after Ezra arrived (compare Ezra 7:9; 10:9).
Intermarriage with non-Israelites was risky because Israelites might worship other gods and adopt harmful religious practices (compare Ezra 4:1–5; Deuteronomy 7:1–4).
the holy seed has been mixed: Literally the holy seed has intermingled itself. Israel was a holy covenant nation (Exodus 19:6) and was not supposed to engage in pagan practices (Leviticus 19:2–4; 20:6–8, 22–26). Therefore, the people were to avoid marrying those who might influence them to adopt such practices. When religious and political leaders married foreigners, they risked leading others astray and damaging Israel's unique identity as a holy people.

Ezra 9:1–10:44

Ezra addressed the issue of marrying idol-worshipping foreigners. The Jewish leaders had permitted this practice, even though the early settlers had promised to stay away from pagan influences (Ezra 4:1–5). Ezra prayed for the nation and assisted those who felt guilty about their sins to correct their actions.

Theme notes and profiles

Ezra Intermarriage and Divorce Purity and Identity

Related verses

Leviticus 18:24–30
Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves.
Nehemiah 9:2
Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
Ezra 10:10–11
Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to the guilt of Israel.
Romans 2:17–25
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
Deuteronomy 12:30–31
…be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.”
Exodus 33:16
For how then can it be known that Your people and I have found favor in Your sight, unless You go with us? How else will we be distinguished from all the other people on the face of the earth?”
2 Corinthians 6:14–18
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
Exodus 23:23
For My angel will go before you and bring you into the land of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites, and I will annihilate them.
2 Chronicles 33:2
And he did evil in the sight of the LORD by following the abominations of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.
Leviticus 18:3
You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not follow the practices of the land of Canaan, into which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs.
Nehemiah 13:1–3
At that time the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people, and in it they found the passage stating that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God,
Ezra 10:8
Whoever failed to appear within three days would forfeit all his property, according to the counsel of the leaders and elders, and would himself be expelled from the assembly of the exiles.

Parallels

Nehemiah 13:23–31

People

Amorites: Canaanite people group, enemies of Israel Heth: Son of Canaan and ancestor of the Hittites Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Jebusites: Canaanite tribe inhabiting Jerusalem before David's conquest Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Perizzites: Canaanite people group living in the land of Canaan

Places

Ammon: An ancient nation and its capital city, enemies of Israel Canaan: Ancient region; descendants of Ham; promised to Abraham's descendants Egypt: Ancient nation; Israelites enslaved there; plagues and Exodus Moab: Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea in Jordan

Glossary

Book of Ezra Elephantine Papyri First Book of Esdras Hittites Malachi, Book of Mixed Marriage Moab, Moabites Perizzite Priests and Levites

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God are Defiling Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Israelites Amorites: Intermarry with Jews Amorites: Wickedness of Christian Minister: Priests and Levites Ezra: A Famous Scribe and Priest: Exhorts People to Put Away Their Heathen Wives Fellowship with the Wicked Forbidden Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship with the Wicked Exemplified by the Israelites Government: Mosaic: Legislates with Ezra in Reforming Certain Marriages with the Heathen Hittites: Intermarriages With, by Israelites After the Captivity Hittites: Intermarry with the Israelites Influence: Good: Ezra Jebusites: Not Exterminated, but They Intermarry with the Israelites Levites: Intermarried with Canaanites Marriage: Wives Among the Israelites Must be Israelites Moabites are a Snare to the Israelites Nation: Lamented Perizzites: Not all Destroyed; Israelites Intermarry With Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning of the Captivity Priest: Miscellaneous Facts Concerning: Polluted by Marrying Idolatrous Wives Prophecies Concerning Israel: Captivity of Corruptions Among the Returned Captives; Their Reform Religious Zeal: Ezra Sin: The Israelites The Ammonites: The Jews Reprobated for Intermarrying With The Amorites: The Jews After the Captivity Condemned for Intermarrying With

Ezra 9:1

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?