Ezra 9:6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Ezra 9:6

Ezra 9:6. O my God, I am ashamed and blush “Nothing can be more humble, devout, and pathetic, than this address, in which Ezra acknowledges that he was confounded when he thought of the greatness of their sins, which were ready to overwhelm them, and of the boldness and insolence of them beyond measure, even though they had seen the divine vengeance upon their forefathers in so terrible a manner, that they had not yet worn off the marks of his displeasure. He had, indeed, begun to show... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Ezra 9:1-15

9:1-10:44 THE PROBLEM OF MIXED MARRIAGESEzra’s grief (9:1-15)One of the first problems that Ezra dealt with was that of mixed marriages. Israelite men had married non-Israelite wives and had families by them. The practice was widespread and involved even the leaders of the community. If allowed to continue, it could destroy Israel’s religion and even Israel’s identity as a distinct race (9:1-2).When told of the matter, Ezra was overcome with grief and shame. He turned to God to confess the sin... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Ezra 9:6

trespass. Hebrew. 'ashma (feminine.) = guilt incurred. The rnasc. = guilt imputed (as in Leviticus 5:7 . Numbers 5:8 . 2 Kings 12:16 . Psalms 68:21 ). App-44 . Not the same word as in Ezra 9:2 . Compare verses: Ezra 9:7 , Ezra 9:13 , Ezra 9:15 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Ezra 9:6

Ver. 6. And said, O my God, &c.— Nothing can be more humble, devout, and pathetic than this address, in which Ezra acknowledges that he was confounded when he thought of the greatness of their sins, which were ready to overwhelm them; and of the boldness and insolence of them beyond measure, even though they had seen the divine vengeance upon their forefathers in so terrible a manner, that they had not yet worn off the marks of his displeasure. He had, indeed, begun to shew favour to some... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Ezra 9:5-15

Ezra’s prayer 9:5-15The priests presented the evening offering (Ezra 9:5) between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. in Jesus’ day. [Note: Alfred Edersheim, The Temple: Its Ministry and Service, p. 144.] This was the traditional time for this offering. Ezra’s prayer contains four primary characteristics: solidarity, confession, readiness to change, and faith in God’s mercy. [Note: McConville, pp. 63-65.] In his sermonic prayer, Ezra identified with the body of believers, even though he had not personally... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 9:1-15

Ezra’s Indignation at Intermarriages with the Heathen1. The Canaanites, etc.] In the Law it was only with the various Canaanite nations that marriage was altogether forbidden (Exodus 34:12-16; Deuteronomy 7:1-3). David was descended from a union between an Israelite and a Moabitess (Ruth 1:4; Ruth 4:17), and Solomon had married an Egyptian princess without reproach (1 Kings 3:1). But the principle which excluded alliances with certain nations was doubtless felt to be applicable to others also,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Ezra 9:5-15

(5-15) Ezra’s prayer of confession and deprecation.(5) And at the evening sacrifice I arose up.—Until the afternoon Ezra had sat silent and in grief before the Temple, and in presence of the people. Then, amidst the solemnities of the sacrifice, he uttered the prayer which he had been meditating.(6) And said, O my God.—The confession begins with “O my God;” but Ezra is the representative of the people, and it proceeds “O our God” (Ezra 9:10), without once returning to the first person.(7) Since... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Ezra 9:1-15

FOREIGN MARRIAGESEzra 9:1-15The successful issue of Ezra’s undertaking was speedily followed by a bitter disappointment on the part of its leader, the experience of which urged him to make a drastic reformation that rent many a happy home asunder and filled Jerusalem with the grief of broken hearts.During the obscure period that followed the dedication of the temple-a period of which we have no historical remains-the rigorous exclusiveness which had marked the conduct of the returned exiles... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Ezra 9:1-15

CHAPTER 9 1. Ezra’s astonishment and grief (Ezra 9:1-4 ) 2. Ezra’s confession and prayer (Ezra 9:5-15 ) Ezra 9:1-4 . When all these things had been done (that are related in chapter 8:33-36) Ezra was confronted by a very sad condition of the people, and even the priests and the Levites. The princes (civil leaders) came to Ezra and told him that the demanded separation according to the law, between God’s people and the Canaanitish inhabitants of the land, had not been obeyed. The people had... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Ezra 9:6

9:6 And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased {d} over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the {e} heavens.(d) That is, we are drowned in sin.(e) They so exceed that they cannot grow greater. read more

Group of Brands