Ezra 9 Explained

Ezra 9 is the ninth chapter of the Book of Ezra in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, or the book of Ezra-Nehemiah in the Hebrew Bible, which treats the book of Ezra and book of Nehemiah as one book. Jewish tradition states that Ezra is the author of Ezra-Nehemiah as well as the Book of Chronicles,[1] but modern scholars generally accept that a compiler from the 5th century BCE (the so-called "Chronicler") is the final author of these books. The section comprising chapters 7 to 10 mainly describes the activities of Ezra the scribe and the priest. This chapter and the next deal with the problem of intermarriage, starting with the introduction of the crisis, then Ezra's public mourning and prayer of shame. J. Gordon McConville suggests that this chapter is central to the Book of Ezra because it draws a sharp contrast between what the people of God ought to be and what they actually are.

Text

This chapter is divided into 15 verses. The original text of this chapter is in Hebrew language.[2]

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes Codex Leningradensis (1008).

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK:

ak{G}

S; 4th century; only Ezra 9:9 to end), Codex Vaticanus (B;

ak{G}

B; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A;

ak{G}

A; 5th century).

An ancient Greek book called 1 Esdras (Greek: Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ἔσδρας Αʹ) containing some parts of 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah is included in most editions of the Septuagint and is placed before the single book of Ezra–Nehemiah (which is titled in Greek: Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ἔσδρας Βʹ). 1 Esdras 8:68-90 is an equivalent of Ezra 9 (Repentance from mixed marriages).[3] [4]

The report (9:1–2)

Some Jewish leaders in Jerusalem reported to Ezra about 'the misconduct of various leaders and members of the community'.

Verse 2

"For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass."[5]

The response (9:3–5)

Hearing the report, Ezra responded with a "public act of contrition" in his function as "the official representative of the community".

Verse 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.[8]

The action also denoted 'horror' on receiving shocking intelligence or hearing shocking words, such as:

In the New Testament is also recorded:

The prayer (9:6–15)

Being a leader of the community, Ezra offered a "public prayer of confession" which is "sincere, personal, emotional and forthright". The Jerusalem Bible describes the prayer of Ezra as "also a sermon".[10]

See also

Sources

. Lester L. Grabbe . Ezra . Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible . James D. G.. Dunn . James Dunn (theologian) . John William. Rogerson . John W. Rogerson . Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing . illustrated . 2003 . 313–319 . 978-0802837110 . October 28, 2019.

. Henry Hampton Halley. Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary . 24th (revised). Zondervan Publishing House . 1965 . registration. 0-310-25720-4.

. Daniel L. Smith-Christopher . 15. Ezra-Nehemiah . The Oxford Bible Commentary . John. Barton . John Barton (theologian) . John. Muddiman . John Muddiman . Oxford University Press . first (paperback) . 2007 . 308–324 . 978-0199277186 . February 6, 2019.

. Ernst Würthwein . The Text of the Old Testament . Wm. B. Eerdmans . Grand Rapids, MI . 1995 . Erroll F.. Rhodes . 0-8028-0788-7 . January 26, 2019.

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. [Babylonian Talmud]
  2. Note i on Ezra 7:27 in the New King James Version: "The Hebrew language resumes in Ezra 7:27."
  3. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05535a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Esdras: THE BOOKS OF ESDRAS: III Esdras
  4. http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=463&letter=E&search=Books%20of%20Esdras#1248 Jewish Encyclopedia: Esdras, Books of: I Esdras
  5. 9:2 NKJV NKJV
  6. https://biblehub.com/text/ezra/9-1.htm Hebrew Text Analysis: Ezra 9:1
  7. 9:1 NKJV NKJV
  8. 9:3 KJV KJV
  9. [Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges]
  10. Jerusalem Bible (1966), note d at Ezra 9:6

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