Study notes

Ezra 9

Introducing EzraWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

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 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.

9:1–10:44 Section

Ezra was in charge of making sure that the Jews obeyed the Law of Moses. The leaders of the people told him about one way they had disobeyed. Some Jewish men had married women who didn’t worship the true God. God had told his people not to do this. It led to problems in their families and in their communities.

Israelites who married people who worshipped false gods started worshipping false gods too. This led them to do evil things. There were many examples of this happening in Israel’s history. Israelites could marry people from other people groups if they worshipped only God. The story of Ruth is an example. But that isn’t what these Jewish men had done.

Ezra was very sad when he heard this. He wanted the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem to be faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant. Being faithful led to the covenant blessings. It led to enjoying the land for ever with their families. The covenant curses had led to them being slaves once again.

The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt hundreds of years before. Now they were back in the land God had promised to give to Abraham’s family line. But they weren’t the rulers of that land. The Persian government ruled over them.

Ezra prayed to God about the sin of these Jewish men. The community decided that these men should send their wives and children away. This meant that they would divorce their wives.

9:3

sat down in horror: Compare Genesis 37:34; 2 Kings 22:11; Job 1:20.

9:4

The evening sacrifice took place around 3:00 in the afternoon.

9:5

Ezra showed humility before God by kneeling. His outstretched hands showed he was asking God for help.

9:6

I am ashamed...our iniquities are higher than our heads: Although Ezra did not commit these sins, he identified with his people (see “Community Identity” Theme Note).

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)

9:7

Ezra clearly summarizes Israel's history. The people and their leaders sinned and received deserved punishment.
From the days of our fathers to this day: The effects of Israel's punishment were still visible in Jerusalem at this time.

9:8–9

God's abundant grace and unfailing love should influence how people respond to him (see Deuteronomy 30:1–5). After all God had done for the remnant, it was shameful they were so quick to betray him.
grace in the sight of the kings of Persia: Babylon and Assyria had tortured and exiled their enemies (2 Kings 17; 25), but Persia treated exiled people kindly and returned them to their homelands (see Ezra 1:1–3).
a wall of protection: This phrase refers to God's presence protecting the nation of Judah, not the physical walls of Jerusalem, which Nehemiah rebuilt several years later.

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).

9:14

Would You not become so angry with us as to wipe us out?: The sin of marrying non-believers was so serious that they had no hope of survival if they did not repent.

9:15

You are righteous: God is angry with sin because He is just and holy.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources