Add parallel Print Page Options

Chapter 9

The Crisis of Mixed Marriages. (A)When these matters had been concluded, the leaders approached me with this report: “Neither the Israelite laymen nor the priests nor the Levites have kept themselves separate from the peoples of the lands and their abominations—Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites— for they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, thus intermingling the holy seed with the peoples of the lands. Furthermore, the leaders and rulers have taken a prominent part in this apostasy!”

Ezra’s Reaction. (B)When I had heard this, I tore my cloak and my mantle, plucked hair from my head and beard, and sat there devastated.

Read full chapter

Mixed Marriages

Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not (A)separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, (B)according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. For (C)they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that (D)the holy [a]race has (E)intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.” When I heard about this matter, I (F)tore my garment and my robe, and pulled some of the hair from my head and my beard, and (G)sat down appalled.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Ezra 9:2 Lit seed