Ezra 9:12

Translations

Modern

Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’

Traditional

Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.

Literal

And now, do not give as wives your daughters for their sons, and lift not their daughters to your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity even to forever, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and give possession to your children even to forever.’

Latin

Nunc ergo filias vestras ne detis filiis eorum, et filias eorum ne accipiatis filiis vestris, et non quæratis pacem eorum et prosperitatem eorum usque in æternum: ut confortemini, et comedatis quæ bona sunt terræ, et hæredes habeatis filios vestros usque in sæculum.

Original

Hebrew

English

Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’

Notes

Ezra 9:11–12

Your servants the prophets, saying: God clearly explained what he expected from his people (see Deuteronomy 7:3–4; Malachi 2:10–12). He promised great blessings if they followed his covenant rules (see Leviticus 26:1–13; Deuteronomy 28:1–14; Jeremiah 32:36–33:18; Ezekiel 37:15–28; Hosea 14:1–8).

Ezra 9:6–15

Ezra’s prayer serves as a model for intercessory prayer (compare Nehemiah 1:5–11; Daniel 9:4–19). It involves:

Confessing sin (Ezra 9:6–7)
Recalling God’s past kindness (Ezra 9:8–9)
Admitting the people have ignored God (Ezra 9:10–12)
Acknowledging their unworthiness (Ezra 9:13–15)

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 Community Responsibility: Achan’s Sin God Works through Prayer Intermarriage and Divorce Purity and Identity The Remnant What Is Good

Related verses

Deuteronomy 7:3
Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,
Deuteronomy 23:6
You are not to seek peace or prosperity from them as long as you live.
Joshua 23:12–13
For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations that remain among you, and if you intermarry and associate with them,
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
Exodus 34:15–16
Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices.
2 John 1:10–11
If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him.
Proverbs 20:7
The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him.
Psalm 112:1–2
Hallelujah! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments.
Genesis 18:18–19
Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
Ezra 9:2
Indeed, the Israelites have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has been mixed with the people of the land. And the leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”
Isaiah 1:19
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land.
Exodus 23:32
You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods.

Glossary

Book of Ezra Elephantine Papyri First Book of Esdras

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Benefits of, Illustrated Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Blessedness of Forsaking Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Forbidden Ammonites: Jews Intermarry With Fellowship with the Wicked Forbidden God: Mercy of Intercession: Additional Instances of Ezra, for Israel Marriage: Expressed by Giving Daughters to Sons, and Sons to Daughters Marriage: The Jews: Forbidden to Contract with Idolaters Marriage: Wives Among the Israelites Must be Israelites Repentance: should be Accompanied by Shame and Confusion Sin: Confession of

Ezra 9:12

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