Ezra 9:3-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 9:1-4

Ezra, like Barnabas when he came to Jerusalem and saw the grace of God to his brethren there, no doubt was glad, and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave to the Lord, Acts 11:23. He saw nothing amiss (many corruptions lurk out of the view of the most vigilant rulers); but here is a damp upon his joys: information is brought him that many of the people, yea, and some of the rulers, had married wives out of heathen families, and joined themselves in affinity with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 9:3

And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle ,.... Both inward and outward garments, that which was close to his body, and that which was thrown loose over it; and this he did in token of sorrow and mourning, as if something very dreadful and distressing, see Job 1:20 and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard ; did not shave them, and so transgressed not the law in Leviticus 19:27 but plucked off the hair of them, to show his extreme sorrow for what was told... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 9:4

There were assembled unto me everyone that trembled at the words of the God of Israel ,.... That had a reverence for the word of God, and the things contained in it; feared to break the laws of God, and trembled at his judgments, which they might apprehend would come upon transgressors, see Isaiah 46:2 , because of the transgression of those that had been carried away ; into Babylon, and were now returned, and which was an aggravation of their transgression: and I sat astonished... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 9:3

I rent my garment and my mantle - The outer and inner garment, in sign of great grief. This significant act is frequently mentioned in the sacred writings, and was common among all ancient nations. Plucked off the hair - Shaving the head and beard were signs of excessive grief; much more so the plucking off the hair, which must produce exquisite pain. All this testified his abhorrence, not merely of the act of having taken strange wives, but their having also joined... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 9:4

Those that had been carried away - Those that had returned long before with Zerubbabel; see Ezra 9:1 . Until the evening sacrifice - The morning sacrifice was the first of all the offerings of the day, the evening sacrifice the last. As the latter was offered between the two evenings, i.e., between sunset and the end of twilight, so the former was offered between break of day and sunrise. Ezra sat astonied - confounded in his mind, distressed in his soul, and scarcely... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 9:1-4

An astounding discovery. The previous chapter ended with every appearance of peace. The people already at Jerusalem, the new arrivals, the Persian authorities, seemed all of one mind. So far as the house and worship of Jehovah were concerned, and, therefore, so far as the welfare and prosperity of the returned remnant were concerned, there did not appear to be a cloud in the sky. But we have hardly begun this next chapter before we are in the midst of a storm. On the one side we hear the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 9:1-4

Spiritual separation. I. THAT SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD IS A LAW OF THE SPIRITUAL LIFE . The Israelites must separate themselves from the people of the land ( Ezra 9:1 ). This separation is not (1) local. The Israelites and Canaanites must live in the same world, in the same town, and often in the same house. This separation is not (2) political. Both the Israelites and the Canaanites must act their part as citizens of the same state. This separation is not ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 9:1-4

Ezra's grief. "Now when these things were done," viz; when the free-will offerings were deposited in the temple, when the sacrifices had been offered, when the king's commissions had been delivered to his lieutenants and the governors of the provinces—when all things promised well, a new cause of trouble arises. "The princes came," etc. (verses 1, 2). Here we have— I. THE CAUSE OF EZRA 'S GRIEF . 1. The law of God was violated. 2. The violation of the law was ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 9:1-4

Disappointment and disobedience. And now then for rest and saris-faction! now for spiritual enjoyment! now for the continuous exercise of the soul m sacred privileges in the holy place! now for the goodly sight of a holy people walking in the commandments of the Lord blameless I Such was probably Ezra's feeling as he first settled down in Jerusalem with the children of the captivity. It would have been natural and human for him to think thus; but if he did thus think he was mistaken. He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 9:1-15

§ 2. REFORMATION OF RELIGION ACCOMPLISHED BY EZRA AT JERUSALEM . 1. The complaint made by the princes to Ezra concerning the mixed marriages ( Ezra 9:1 , Ezra 9:2 ); 2. Ezra's astonishment and horror ( Ezra 9:3 , Ezra 9:4 ); 3. His confession and prayer to God ( Ezra 9:5-15 ); 4. Repentance of the people, and covenant sworn to, on the recommendation of Shechaniah ( Ezra 10:1-5 ); 5. Ezra's fast ( Ezra 10:6 ); 6. Proclamation summoning... read more

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