Ezra 9:2-6

2 They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.”

3 When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled.

4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat there appalled until the evening sacrifice.

5 Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God

6 and prayed: “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.

Ezra 9:2-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 9

Ezra being informed, by some of the princes who complained unto him, of the marriages of many of the Israelites with the people of the land, the Canaanites and others, was greatly grieved and distressed, Ezr 9:1-5, upon which he made a confession of their sins to God, with great shame, sorrow, and contrition, and deprecated the evils which they deserved, Ezr 9:6-15.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 34:16; S Ruth 1:4
• 2. Psalms 106:35
• 3. S Exodus 22:31; S Leviticus 27:30; S Deuteronomy 14:2
• 4. Ezra 10:2
• 5. S Numbers 14:6
• 6. S Exodus 32:19; S Exodus 33:4
• 7. Ezra 10:3; Psalms 119:120; Isaiah 66:2,5
• 8. Nehemiah 1:4; Psalms 119:136; Daniel 10:2
• 9. S Exodus 29:41
• 10. Nehemiah 8:6; Psalms 28:2; Psalms 134:2
• 11. Jeremiah 31:19
• 12. S 2 Chronicles 28:9; Job 42:6; Psalms 38:4; Isaiah 59:12; Jeremiah 3:25; Jeremiah 14:20; Revelation 18:5