Bible Chapter Summary
Ezra 9 Summary
Ezra's Prayer for Israel's Sin
The princes inform Ezra that the people of Israel, priests, and Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands and their abominations, having taken strange wives. Hearing this, Ezra tears his garment, plucks out his hair and beard, and sits astonied. At evening sacrifice, he rises, kneels, and spreads his hands before the LORD, confessing that Israel's iniquities have been increased and that the people have again forsaken God's commandments not to intermarry with the unclean peoples. Ezra grieves that Israel has broken covenant after the mercy the LORD has shown them.
Key themes
Key verses
Ezra 9:1
“Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.”
Ezra 9:3
“And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.”
Ezra 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 over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.”
Ezra 9:10
“And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,”
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