Ezra 10:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It [was] the ninth month, on the twentieth [day] of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of [this] matter, and for the great rain.

Complete Jewish Bible:

All the men of Y'hudah and Binyamin assembled in Yerushalayim within the three days. It was the twentieth day of the ninth month. All the people sat in the open place in front of the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain.

Berean Standard Bible:

So within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled in Jerusalem, and on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God, trembling regarding this matter and because of the heavy rain.

American Standard Version:

Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within the three days (it was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month); and all the people sat in the broad place before the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then all the men^{H582} of Judah^{H3063} and Benjamin^{H1144} gathered themselves together^{H6908} unto Jerusalem^{H3389} within three^{H7969} days^{H3117}. It was the ninth^{H8671} month^{H2320}, on the twentieth^{H6242} day of the month^{H2320}; and all the people^{H5971} sat^{H3427} in the street^{H7339} of the house^{H1004} of God^{H430}, trembling^{H7460} because of this matter^{H1697}, and for the great rain^{H1653}.

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Commentary for Ezra 10:9

Ezra 10:9 is set within the broader historical context of the post-exilic period, after the Jewish people had been allowed to return to Jerusalem from their captivity in Babylon. The Persian king, Cyrus the Great, had issued a decree permitting the Jews to rebuild their temple and return to their homeland. This verse specifically captures a moment of significant communal repentance and religious reform.

The verse describes a gathering of the men of Judah and Benjamin, the two tribes that primarily made up the Southern Kingdom of Judah, in Jerusalem. The urgency of the situation is underscored by the fact that they assembled within three days, indicating a swift and determined response to a serious issue. The mention of the ninth month and the twentieth day of the month places the event in the Hebrew calendar, adding a specific temporal context to the narrative.

The people are described as sitting in the street of the house of God, which refers to the area around the Temple in Jerusalem. They were gathered there in a state of trepidation, "trembling because of this matter." The "matter" in question is the widespread intermarriage between the returning exiles and the local pagan populations, which was seen as a grave sin that could compromise the religious and ethnic identity of the Jewish people. This intermingling was a direct violation of the Mosaic Law, which strictly forbade such unions in order to prevent the introduction of pagan practices and the dilution of the Jewish faith.

Additionally, the verse mentions "the great rain," which could be interpreted in a couple of ways. It might refer to literal torrential rain, which could have been seen as a sign of divine displeasure or as a hindrance to their assembly. Alternatively, it could be a figurative expression symbolizing the outpouring of God's judgment or the intensity of the emotional atmosphere among the people.

In summary, Ezra 10:9 reflects a critical moment of communal reflection and crisis among the Jews who had recently returned from exile. The verse highlights the gravity of the situation concerning intermarriage with non-Jewish peoples, the swift communal response to address the issue, and the profound sense of fear and reverence for God's law among the people. It captures the tension between the desire to maintain cultural and religious purity and the challenges of integrating into a diverse and changing society.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H3063
   There are 754 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהוּדָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-daw'
   Description: from יָדָה; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory; Judah.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1144
   There are 156 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בִּנְיָמִין
   Transliteration: Binyâmîyn
   Pronunciation: bin-yaw-mene'
   Description: from בֵּן and יָמִין; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Benjamin.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6908
   There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָבַץ
   Transliteration: qâbats
   Pronunciation: kaw-bats'
   Description: a primitive root; to grasp, i.e. collect; assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3389
   There are 600 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם
   Transliteration: Yᵉrûwshâlaim
   Pronunciation: yer-oo-shaw-lah'-im
   Description: rarely יְרוּשָׁלַיִם; a dual (in allusion to its two main hills (the true pointing, at least of the former reading, seems to be that of יְרוּשָׁלֵם)); probably from (the passive participle of) יָרָה and שָׁלַם; founded peaceful; Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine; Jerusalem.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7969
   There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: shâlôwsh
   Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
   Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3117
   There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יוֹם
   Transliteration: yôwm
   Pronunciation: yome
   Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
   
8. Strong's Number: H8671
   There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּשִׁיעִי
   Transliteration: tᵉshîyʻîy
   Pronunciation: tesh-ee-ee'
   Description: ordinal from תֵּשַׁע; ninth; ninth.
   
9. Strong's Number: H2320
   There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֹדֶשׁ
   Transliteration: chôdesh
   Pronunciation: kho'-desh
   Description: from חָדַשׁ; the new moon; by implication, a month; month(-ly), new moon.
   
10. Strong's Number: H6242
    There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֶשְׂרִים
    Transliteration: ʻesrîym
    Pronunciation: es-reem'
    Description: from עֶשֶׂר; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth; (six-) score, twenty(-ieth).
    
11. Strong's Number: H5971
    There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עַם
    Transliteration: ʻam
    Pronunciation: am
    Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
    
12. Strong's Number: H3427
    There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָשַׁב
    Transliteration: yâshab
    Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry.
    
13. Strong's Number: H7339
    There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רְחֹב
    Transliteration: rᵉchôb
    Pronunciation: rekh-obe'
    Description: or רְחוֹב; from רָחַב; a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area; broad place (way), street. See also בֵּית רְחוֹב.
    
14. Strong's Number: H1004
    There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בַּיִת
    Transliteration: bayith
    Pronunciation: bah'-yith
    Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
    
15. Strong's Number: H430
    There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
    Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
    Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
    Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
    
16. Strong's Number: H7460
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רָעַד
    Transliteration: râʻad
    Pronunciation: raw-ad'
    Description: a primitive root; to shudder (more or less violently); tremble.
    
17. Strong's Number: H1697
    There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: דָּבָר
    Transliteration: dâbâr
    Pronunciation: daw-baw'
    Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
    
18. Strong's Number: H1653
    There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גֶּשֶׁם
    Transliteration: geshem
    Pronunciation: gheh'-shem
    Description: from גָּשַׁם; a shower; rain, shower.