Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. New Living Translation When these things had been done, the Jewish leaders came to me and said, “Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the other peoples living in the land. They have taken up the detestable practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. English Standard Version After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Berean Standard Bible After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Berean Literal Bible And at the completion of these things the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands as to their abominations, even the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, the Ammonite, the Moabite, the Egyptian, and the Amorite. King James Bible Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. New King James Version When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. New American Standard Bible Now when these things had been completed, the officials approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, as to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. NASB 1995 Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. NASB 1977 Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Legacy Standard Bible Now when these things had been completed, the princes approached me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, according to their abominations, those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. Amplified Bible When these things were completed, the officials came to me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, but have committed the repulsive acts of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Berean Annotated Bible After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel (he wrestles with God), including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites (merchants), Hittites, Perizzites (villagers), Jebusites (Jerusalemites), Ammonites, Moabites (from father: what father?), Egyptians (double straits), and Amorites (sayers). Christian Standard Bible After these things had been done, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices are like those of the Canaanites, Hethites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Holman Christian Standard Bible After these things had been done, the leaders approached me and said: “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. American Standard Version Now when these things were done, the princes drew near unto me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Contemporary English Version Later the Jewish leaders came to me and said: Many Israelites, including priests and Levites, are living just like the people around them. They are even guilty of some of the horrible sins of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. English Revised Version Now when these things were done, the princes drew near unto me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. GOD'S WORD® Translation After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have failed to keep themselves separate from the neighboring groups of people and from the disgusting practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Good News Translation After all this had been done, some of the leaders of the people of Israel came and told me that the people, the priests, and the Levites had not kept themselves separate from the people in the neighboring countries of Ammon, Moab, and Egypt or from the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, and Amorites. They were doing the same disgusting things which these people did. International Standard Version After these things occurred, certain officials approached me and said "The people of Israel, the priests, and the descendants of Levi have not separated themselves from the people of the lands or from the detestable behavior of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites, NET Bible Now when these things had been completed, the leaders approached me and said, "The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the local residents who practice detestable things similar to those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. New Heart English Bible Now when these things were completed, the leaders approached me and said, "The people of Israel, and the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, following their abominations, even those of the Canaanites, the Hethites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Webster's Bible Translation Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAfter these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. World English Bible Now when these things were done, the princes came near to me, saying, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, following their abominations, even those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd at the completion of these things, the heads have drawn near to me, saying, “The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not been separated from the peoples of the lands, as to their abominations, even the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, the Ammonite, the Moabite, the Egyptian, and the Amorite, Berean Literal Bible And at the completion of these things the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands as to their abominations, even the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, the Ammonite, the Moabite, the Egyptian, and the Amorite. Young's Literal Translation And at the completion of these things, drawn nigh unto me have the heads, saying, 'The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not been separated from the peoples of the lands, as to their abominations, even the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, the Ammonite, the Moabite, the Egyptian, and the Amorite, Smith's Literal Translation And in these things being finished, the chiefs came near to me, saying, The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites were not separated from the people of the lands according to their abominations, to the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Jebusite, the Ammonite, the Moabite, the Egyptian and the Amorite. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd after these things were accomplished, the princes came to me, saying: The people of Israel, and the priests and Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, and from their abominations, namely, of the Chanaanites, and the Hethites, and the Pherezites, and the Jebusites, and the Ammonites, and the Moabites, and the Egyptians, and the Amorrhites. Catholic Public Domain Version Then, after these things were completed, the leaders came to me, saying: “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, have not been separated from the peoples of the lands and from their abominations, especially those of the Canaanites, and Hittites, and Perizzites, and Jebusites, and Ammonites, and Moabites, and Egyptians, and Amorites. New American Bible 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— New Revised Standard Version After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNOW when these things were completed, the elders came to me, saying, The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Ammonites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And when all these things ended, the Elders approached me and they were saying: “The people of Israel, and the Priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the cities and their abominations, and the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Ammonites, and the Perizzites, and the Yebusites, and the Egyptians, and the Moabites and the Amorites. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now when these things were done, the princes drew near unto me, saying: 'The people of Israel, and the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. Brenton Septuagint Translation And when these things were finished, the princes drew near to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands in their abominations, even the Chananite, the Ethite, the Pherezite, the Jebusite, the Ammonite, the Moabite, and the Moserite and the Amorite. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Intermarriage with Neighboring Peoples1After these things had been accomplished, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. 2Indeed, 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!”… Cross References After these things had been accomplished, 2 Chronicles 31:1 When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property. Ezra 6:15 And this temple was completed on the third day of the month of Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. Ezra 7:1 Many years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, the leaders approached me and said, Deuteronomy 1:22-23 Then all of you approached me and said, “Let us send men ahead of us to search out the land and bring us word of what route to follow and which cities to enter.” / The plan seemed good to me, so I selected twelve men from among you, one from each tribe. Numbers 32:2-5 So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, / “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, / which the LORD conquered before the congregation of Israel, are suitable for livestock—and your servants have livestock.” … Joshua 22:13-16 The Israelites sent Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest to the land of Gilead, to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. / With him they sent ten chiefs—one family leader from each tribe of Israel, each the head of a family among the clans of Israel. / They went to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh in the land of Gilead and said to them, … “The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, Joshua 8:33-35 All Israel, foreigners and citizens alike, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the LORD facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded earlier, to bless the people of Israel. / Afterward, Joshua read aloud all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—according to all that is written in the Book of the Law. / There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua failed to read before the whole assembly of Israel, including the women, the little ones, and the foreigners who lived among them. Deuteronomy 31:9-13 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. / Then Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of remission of debt, during the Feast of Tabernacles, / when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. … 2 Chronicles 30:25-27 Then the whole assembly of Judah rejoiced along with the priests and Levites and the whole assembly that had come from Israel, including the foreigners who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah. / So there was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for nothing like this had happened there since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel. / Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven. have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples Deuteronomy 7:3-6 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, / because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you. / Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. … 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. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same. Leviticus 20:24-26 But I have told you that you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you as an inheritance—a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples. / You are therefore to distinguish between clean and unclean animals and birds. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird, or by anything that crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you. / You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own. whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Deuteronomy 7:1-5 When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and He drives out before you many nations—the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger than you— / and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. / Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, … Deuteronomy 23:3-8 No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation. / For they did not meet you with food and water on your way out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to curse you. / Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. … Leviticus 18:24-30 Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. / Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants. / But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations—neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. … Nehemiah 13:23-27 In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. / Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or of the other peoples, but could not speak the language of Judah. / I rebuked them and called down curses on them. I beat some of these men and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God and said, “You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or for yourselves! … Treasury of Scripture Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. the princes Ezra 10:8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. Jeremiah 26:10,16 When the princes of Judah heard these things, then they came up from the king's house unto the house of the LORD, and sat down in the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house… have not separated Ezra 6:21,22 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, … Ezra 10:10,11 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel… Exodus 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. doing according Leviticus 18:3,24-30 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances… Deuteronomy 12:30,31 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise… Deuteronomy 18:9 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. of the Canaanites Genesis 15:16,19-21 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full… Exodus 23:23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. Deuteronomy 20:17,18 But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee: … Ammonites Deuteronomy 23:3-5 An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever: … 1 Kings 11:1,5-7 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; … Nehemiah 4:3,7 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall… Moabites Jump to Previous Abominations Ammonites Amorites Canaanites Drew Egyptians Hittites Israel Jebusites Levites Moabites Peoples Perizzites Priests Princes Separated ThemselvesJump to Next Abominations Ammonites Amorites Canaanites Drew Egyptians Hittites Israel Jebusites Levites Moabites Peoples Perizzites Priests Princes Separated ThemselvesEzra 9 1. Ezra mourns for the affinity of the people with strangers5. He prays unto God, with confession of sins After these things had been accomplished This phrase refers to the events that occurred prior to Ezra 9, specifically the successful return of the exiles to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the temple. It highlights a period of restoration and renewal for the Jewish people. The phrase sets the stage for the subsequent issues that arise, indicating a transition from physical restoration to spiritual challenges. the leaders approached me and said The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites have not kept themselves separate from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA scribe and priest who led the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in re-establishing the Law of Moses among the people. 2. Leaders of Israel These were the officials and elders who approached Ezra with the concern about the people's intermarriage and assimilation with surrounding nations. 3. Priests and Levites Religious leaders who were expected to maintain purity and lead by example in following God's laws. 4. Peoples of the Lands Refers to the surrounding nations, including the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites, known for their idolatrous practices. 5. Abominations Practices that were detestable to God, often involving idolatry and immorality, which the Israelites were commanded to avoid. Teaching Points The Importance of SeparationGod calls His people to be distinct and separate from worldly practices that lead to spiritual compromise. This separation is not about isolation but about maintaining purity and devotion to God. Leadership Responsibility Leaders have a crucial role in guiding and correcting the community. They must be vigilant and proactive in addressing issues that threaten the spiritual health of the people. The Danger of Assimilation Assimilating with ungodly cultures can lead to adopting practices that are contrary to God's commands. Believers must be cautious about the influences they allow into their lives. Repentance and Restoration When confronted with sin, the appropriate response is repentance and a return to God's standards. This is a recurring theme throughout Scripture and is essential for spiritual renewal. Holiness as a Witness Living a life set apart for God serves as a testimony to others. Our distinctiveness should draw others to the truth of the Gospel. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezra 9:1?2. How does Ezra 9:1 highlight the importance of maintaining spiritual purity today? 3. What lessons can we learn from Israel's intermarriage with "peoples of the land"? 4. How can Ezra 9:1 guide us in resisting cultural influences contrary to Scripture? 5. In what ways does Ezra 9:1 connect to 2 Corinthians 6:14 on partnerships? 6. How should we respond when we recognize sin in our community, as seen in Ezra 9:1? 7. Why did Ezra 9:1 emphasize separation from foreign peoples? 8. How does Ezra 9:1 reflect on interfaith marriages? 9. What historical context led to the events in Ezra 9:1? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 9? 11. In Ezra 9:1–2, how do we reconcile the mention of specific people groups still living in the land when historical records suggest some of them no longer existed? 12. Why does the chronicler's account of who returned to Jerusalem in 1 Chronicles 9 differ from the lists in Ezra and Nehemiah? 13. Should Ezra have ordered abandoning foreign wives and children? 14. Considering Ezra 9:3–4, why does the text portray intermarriage so severely, when similar unions elsewhere in the Bible are treated with less alarm? What Does Ezra 9:1 Mean After these things had been accomplishedWhen Ezra writes these words, he is looking back on the safe return from Babylon, the successful delivery of the temple vessels, and the joyful offerings presented in Jerusalem (Ezra 8:31–36). God had been faithful to fulfill His promises—just as He had in “the good hand of the LORD” over Ezra (Ezra 7:9). This context heightens the shock of what follows. Blessing brought responsibility, echoing truths seen earlier: after Israel crossed the Red Sea, the call to covenant obedience came (Exodus 19:4-6); after the walls went up in Nehemiah’s day, the Law was publicly read (Nehemiah 8:1-3). God’s deliverance always invites wholehearted devotion. the leaders approached me and said The initiative comes from the civil and religious heads of the community—those charged with guarding national holiness (Malachi 2:7). Their approach signals urgency and accountability. Proverbs 27:6 reminds us that “faithful are the wounds of a friend”; genuine leadership confronts sin rather than concealing it. Ezra himself models this quality later when he tears his robe and falls on his knees (Ezra 9:3-5), joining the long line of intercessors like Moses (Exodus 32:30-32) and Daniel (Daniel 9:3-5). The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate The crisis touches every layer of society, even those ordained to teach and model holiness (Leviticus 10:10-11). God’s design from the outset was that His people be distinct—“You are to be holy to Me” (Leviticus 20:26). Yet compromise had crept in, echoing earlier failures when priests married foreign wives (Numbers 25:6-13). Spiritual drift rarely starts in the pew; it often begins in the pulpit. Paul later draws on the same principle: “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). from the surrounding peoples whose abominations are like those of Separation was moral, not racial. The term “abominations” points to idolatry, sexual immorality, and child sacrifice that characterized the nations (Leviticus 18:24-30; Deuteronomy 18:9-13). Israel’s mission was to be a light (Isaiah 42:6), not to blend into darkness. Compromise blurs the witness and invites discipline, as seen when Solomon’s heart turned after foreign gods (1 Kings 11:1-11). the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites This catalog recalls Deuteronomy 7:1-4, where God explicitly warned against intermarriage with these very groups “for they will turn your sons away from following Me.” Including Egypt underscores the persistent allure of old bondage (Exodus 14:12). The mention of Moab and Ammon reminds readers of past entanglements with Balaam and Baal-Peor (Numbers 25:1-3). God’s list is precise because His concern is pastoral: every tolerated idol becomes a seed of apostasy. summary Ezra 9:1 exposes a heartbreaking reality: fresh from God’s gracious restoration, the returned exiles were already mingling with the very sins that had led to exile. Leadership courageously brings the issue to light, reminding us that holiness is a community project. The verse warns that blessing does not inoculate against compromise; vigilance and obedience must follow every victory. Above all, it underscores God’s unchanging call for His people to be distinct, guarding the purity of worship so the nations might see His glory. IX.(1) Now when these things were done.--The remainder of the book is occupied with the execution of Ezra's function as a moral reformer. One chief disorder is mentioned, that of the mixed marriages (Ezra 9:2), which the new lawgiver evidently regarded as fatal to the purity of the Divine service, and to the design of God in separating for a season this peculiar people. (1-4) The report of the abuse of mixed marriages is formally brought before Ezra. (1) The princes--Heads of tribes, native rulers of Jerusalem, as distinguished from the satraps and governors. Zerubbabel's office had no successor; and the term princes expressed rather their eminence than their authority, which had been powerless to check the abuses they complain of. Doing according to their abominations.--Rather, as it regards their abominations. They are not charged with abandonment to idolatry, but with that peculiar laxity which appears in the sequel. The Ammonites.--It is remarkable that all the ancient proscribed races are mentioned, and not the specific nations by the names of which the Samaritans were known, as if to make the case as hateful as possible. At the same time, many of these races still lingered in the neighbourhood of Judaea. (2) The holy seed.--The "holy nation" or "peculiar people" of Exodus 19:6 is called the "holy seed" by Isaiah (Ezra 6:13), with reference to its being preserved and kept holy amidst judgments; and here the same term is used with reference to its desecration by being made common among the nations. . . . Verse 1. - When these things were done. It must have been some considerable time afterwards. Ezra reached Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month (Ezra 7:9), rested three days (Ezra 8:32), and on the fourth day of the same month made over the vessels to the temple authorities. It was not till the seventeenth day of the ninth month that, on Ezra's motion, the matter of the mixed marriages was taken in hand (Ezra 10:8, 9). Yet we cannot suppose that action was long delayed after the matter came to Ezra's knowledge. The princes. The civil heads of the community, whom Ezra found at the head of affairs on his arrival, and whose authority he did not wholly supersede (see Ezra 10:14, 16). The people of the lands. The idolatrous nations inhabiting the districts adjoining Palestine: Egyptians and Amorites on the south; Moabites and Ammonites on the east; Canaanites probably towards the north and the north-west. Doing according to their abominations. Rather, "in respect of their abominations." The complaint was not so much that the Jews had as yet actually adopted idolatrous functions, as that they did not keep themselves wholly aloof from them. The foreign wives would introduce idolatrous rites into their very houses.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew After theseאֵ֗לֶּה (’êl·leh) Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those things had been accomplished, וּכְכַלּ֣וֹת (ū·ḵə·ḵal·lō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent the leaders הַשָּׂרִים֙ (haś·śā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince approached נִגְּשׁ֨וּ (nig·gə·šū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5066: To draw near, approach me אֵלַ֤י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to and said: לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “The people הָעָ֤ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock of Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc including the priests וְהַכֹּהֲנִ֣ים (wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3548: Priest and Levites, וְהַלְוִיִּ֔ם (wə·hal·wî·yim) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural Strong's 3881: Levites -- descendant of Levi have not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no kept themselves separate נִבְדְּל֞וּ (niḇ·də·lū) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 914: To be divided, separate from the surrounding הָאֲרָצ֑וֹת (hā·’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 776: Earth, land peoples מֵעַמֵּ֖י (mê·‘am·mê) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock whose abominations כְּ֠תוֹעֲבֹֽתֵיהֶם (kə·ṯō·w·‘ă·ḇō·ṯê·hem) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol are like those of the Canaanites, לַכְּנַעֲנִ֨י (lak·kə·na·‘ă·nî) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3669: Canaanite -- inhabitant of Canaan Hittites, הַחִתִּ֜י (ha·ḥit·tî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2850: Hittite -- a Chittite Perizzites, הַפְּרִזִּ֣י (hap·pə·riz·zî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6522: Perizzite -- a people in the land of Canaan Jebusites, הַיְבוּסִ֗י (hay·ḇū·sî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2983: Jebusite -- inhabitant of Jebus Ammonites, הָֽעַמֹּנִי֙ (hā·‘am·mō·nî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5984: Ammonite -- descendants of Ammon Moabites, הַמֹּ֣אָבִ֔י (ham·mō·’ā·ḇî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4125: Moabite -- descendant of Moab Egyptians, הַמִּצְרִ֖י (ham·miṣ·rî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4713: Egyptian -- inhabitant of Egypt and Amorites. וְהָאֱמֹרִֽי׃ (wə·hā·’ĕ·mō·rî) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 567: Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe Links Ezra 9:1 NIVEzra 9:1 NLT Ezra 9:1 ESV Ezra 9:1 NASB Ezra 9:1 KJV Ezra 9:1 BibleApps.com Ezra 9:1 Biblia Paralela Ezra 9:1 Chinese Bible Ezra 9:1 French Bible Ezra 9:1 Catholic Bible OT History: Ezra 9:1 Now when these things were done (Ezr. 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