Ezr 9:1-4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ezra 9:1-10:44: 9:1–10:44 Ezra confronted the problem of intermarriage with idolatrous foreigners. The Jewish leaders had allowed this practice, though the early settlers had committed to keep separate from pagan influences (4:1-5 ). Ezra interceded on behalf of the nation and helped those convicted of their sins to make things right. Summary for Ezra 9:1-2: 9:1-2 The events that follow took place approximately four months after Ezra’s arrival (cp. 7:9 ; 10:9 ). • Intermarriage with pagan foreigners was dangerous because Israelites could end up worshiping other gods and accepting the detestable practices of other religions (cp. Ezra 4:1-5 ; Deut 7:1-4 ). • the holy race has become polluted: Literally the holy seed has intermingled itself. Because Israel was a holy covenant nation (Exod 19:6 ), it was not to be involved with pagan practices (Lev 19:2-4 ; 20:6-8 , 22-26 ). Therefore, the people were to avoid marriages with those who could influence Israelites to embrace such practices. When the religious and political leaders and officials intermarried with foreigners, they were in danger of leading others astray and destroying the unique identity of Israel as a holy people.

a9:1–10:44►

b4:1-5►

c9:1-2►

d7:9►

e10:9►

fEzra 4:1-5►

gDeut 7:1-4►

hExod 19:6►

iLev 19:2-4►

j20:6-8►

k22-26►

l9:3►

mGen 37:34►

n2 Kgs 22:11►

oJob 1:20►

p9:4►

‏ Ezra 9:1-4

Summary for Ezra 9:1-10:44: 9:1–10:44 ^a Ezra confronted the problem of intermarriage with idolatrous foreigners. The Jewish leaders had allowed this practice, though the early settlers had committed to keep separate from pagan influences (4:1-5 ^b). Ezra interceded on behalf of the nation and helped those convicted of their sins to make things right.
Summary for Ezra 9:1-2: 9:1-2 ^c The events that follow took place approximately four months after Ezra’s arrival (cp. 7:9 ^d; 10:9 ^e).

• Intermarriage with pagan foreigners was dangerous because Israelites could end up worshiping other gods and accepting the detestable practices of other religions (cp. Ezra 4:1-5 ^f; Deut 7:1-4 ^g).

• the holy race has become polluted: Literally the holy seed has intermingled itself. Because Israel was a holy covenant nation (Exod 19:6 ^h), it was not to be involved with pagan practices (Lev 19:2-4 ⁱ; 20:6-8 ^j, 22-26 ^k). Therefore, the people were to avoid marriages with those who could influence Israelites to embrace such practices. When the religious and political leaders and officials intermarried with foreigners, they were in danger of leading others astray and destroying the unique identity of Israel as a holy people.
9:3 ^l utterly shocked: Cp. Gen 37:34 ^m; 2 Kgs 22:11 ⁿ; Job 1:20 ^o.
9:4 ^p The time of the evening sacrifice was around 3:00 pm.