Ezra 9:2
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
Ezra 9:2 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse 'For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.' speaks to a problem faced by the Israelites during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. The verse is discussing the issue of intermarriage between the Israelites and the surrounding nations, which was forbidden by God in order to maintain the purity of the holy seed. The holy seed refers to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who were chosen by God to be His people. By intermarrying with the people of the lands, the Israelites were disobeying God's commandments and risking the dilution of their faith and identity as a chosen people. The verse also highlights the role of the leaders, indicating that they were the ones primarily responsible for this transgression, setting a poor example for the rest of the people. Overall, the verse serves as a warning against disobeying God's laws and compromising one's faith in order to fit in with the world.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of this verse from the book of Ezra focuses on the concept of intermarriage between the Israelites and the surrounding nations. The Israelites were given strict instructions by God to remain separate from the people of the lands they inhabited. Interacting and marrying people from outside their faith could lead to a dilution of their devotion to the Lord and could potentially lead them astray from following His laws and commandments. This verse highlights the disobedience of the Israelites in mingling with the people of the lands, causing the holy seed to be mixed with those who did not worship the one true God. The involvement of the princes and rulers in this trespass emphasizes the severity of the situation, showing that even the leaders of the Israelites were not immune to the temptation of intermarriage. Thus, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God's commands in order to preserve the purity of the faith and the holiness of the people.
Ezra 9:2 in other translations
American Standard Version
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the peoples of the lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
World English Bible
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy seed have mixed themselves with the peoples of the lands. Yes, the hand of the princes and rulers has been chief in this trespass.”
Douay-Rheims
For they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, and they have mingled the holy seed with the people of the lands. And the hand of the princes and magistrates hath been first in this transgression.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For they haue taken their daughters to theselues, and to their sonnes, and they haue mixed the holy seede with the people of the landes, and the hande of the princes and rulers hath bene chiefe in this trespasse.