Hebrew-English Text
I. Summary
Ezra is informed about the prevalence of Jewish intermarriage. He laments the current state of affairs, confesses the people’s sins to God, and begs Him for mercy.
II. Photo
Ezra is informed about the amorous relationships of certain Jews and Gentiles: “They have taken [foreign] daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy seed has become intermingled with the peoples of the land…” (v. 2)
III. Important Verses
vv. 1-2: When this was over, the officers approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the land whose abhorrent practices are like those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. They have taken their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy seed has become intermingled with the peoples of the land; and it is the officers and prefects who have taken the lead in this trespass.”
vv. 10-12: Now, what can we say in the face of this, O our God, for we have forsaken Your commandments, which You gave us through Your servants the prophets when You said, ‘The land that you are about to possess is a land unclean through the uncleanness of the peoples of the land, through their abhorrent practices with which they, in their impurity, have filled it from one end to the other. Now then, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or let their daughters marry your sons; do nothing for their well-being or advantage, then you will be strong and enjoy the bounty of the land and bequeath it to your children forever.’
IV. Outline
1-2. Ezra is told about Jewish intermarriage
3-15. Ezra confesses the sin to God and begs for mercy
V. Comment
No comment today. Stay tuned.
VI. Works Used
(see “Commentaries” page)
Photo taken from http://nimis540.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/holding-hands1.jpg
