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Matthew Henry

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 9:2

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 , so that the holy seed ; such as the Lord had separated from other nations, chosen them to be an holy people above all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 9:2

Hath been chief in this trespass - They who are the first men have been the most capital offenders; so Virgil, Aen. ix. 783: - Unus homo, vestris, o cives, undique septus Aggeribus, tantas strages impune per urbem Ediderit? Juvenum primos tot miserit orco read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 9:1-2

COMPLAINT OF THE PRINCES TO EZRA ( Ezra 9:1 , Ezra 9:2 ). It is remarkable that complaint on a matter of religious transgression should have come from the secular, and not from the ecclesiastical, authorities of the city. But there clearly appears about this time some remissness and connivance at evil, if not even participation in it, on the part of the chief ecclesiastics. On this particular occasion, actual sons and nephews of Jeshua the high priest were among those who had... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 9:2

The holy seed. Compare Isaiah 6:13 . The "seed of Israel," however much it polluted itself by transgressions, was still "holy" by profession, by call, by obligation, by prophetic announcement. They were "a kingdom of priests, a holy nation" ( Exodus 19:6 ); bound to be "separated from all the people that were on the face of the earth" ( Exodus 33:16 ), and to keep themselves a "peculiar people." When they mingled themselves with the people of the lands, they not only broke a... read more

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