Ezra 9:2

2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass."

Ezra 9:2 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 9:2

For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for
their sorts
Some that were widowers not only took wives to themselves of the above nations, either when they were of Babylon, where many of these nations also were, or rather since their return; but they took for their sons also; yea, some that had wives took Heathenish ones to them, see ( Malachi 2:13-15 ) ,

so that the holy seed;
such as the Lord had separated from other nations, chosen them to be an holy people above all others, and devoted them to his service and worship:

have mingled themselves with the people of those lands;
before mentioned, by marrying with them:

yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this
trespass;
they were the first that went into it, were ringleaders of it, who should by their authority and example have restrained others; or they were

in this first trespass
^F9; which was the first gross and capital one the people fell into after their return from the captivity.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (hnavr hzh lemb) "in praevaricatione ista prima", Pagninus, Montanus.

Ezra 9:2 In-Context

1 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.

2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass."

3 So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished.

4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.

5 At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God.