The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Esdras 09
1 * Then Esdras rose up from the court
of the temple and went to the chamber of
Jonas the son of Eliasib,
2 and lodged there, and ate no bread and
drank no water, mourning for the great
iniquities of the multitude.
3 A proclamation was made in all Judea
and Jerusalem to all those who returned
from captivity, that they should be
gathered together at Jerusalem,
4 and that whoever didn’t meet there
within two or three days, in accordance
with the ruling of the elders, that their
livestock would be seized for the use of the
temple, and they would be expelled from
the multitude of those who returned from
captivity.
5 Within three days, all those of the tribe
of Judah and Benjamin gathered together
atJerusalem. This was the ninth month, on
the twentieth day of the month.
6 All the multitude sat together shivering
in the broad place before the temple
because of the present foul weather.
7 So Esdras arose up and said to them,
“You have transgressed the law and married
foreign wives, increasing the sins of
Israel.
8 Now make confession and give glory to
the Lord, the God of our fathers,
9 and do his will, and separate your selves
from the heathen of the land, and
from the foreign women.”
10 Then the whole multitude cried out,
and said with a loud voice, “Just as you
have spoken, so we will do.
11 Butbecause themultitude is great, and
it is foul weather, so that we can’t stand
outside, and this is not a work of one day
or two, seeing our sin in these things has
spread far,
12 therefore let the rulers of the multitude stay,
and let all those of our settlements that have
foreign wives come at the time appointed,
13 and with them the rulers and judges of
every place, until we turn away the wrath
of the Lord from us for this matter.”
14 So Jonathan the son of Azael and†
Ezekias the son of Thocanus took the matter
on themselves. Mosollamus and Levis
and Sabbateus were judges with them.
15 Those who returned from captivity
did according to all these things.
16 Esdras the priest chose for himself
principal men of their families, all by
name. On the new moon of the tenth
month they met together to examine the
matter.
17 So their cases of men who had foreign
wives was brought to an end by the new
moon of the first month.
18 Of the priests who had come together
and had foreign wives, there were found
19 of the sons of Jesus the son of Josedek,
and his kindred,‡ Mathelas, Eleazar, and§
Joribus, and† Joadanus.
20 They gave their hands to put away
their wives, and to offer rams to make
reconciliation for their error.
21 Of the sons of Emmer: Ananias,
Zabdeus, ‡Manes, §Sameus, †Hiereel, and
‡Azarias.
22 Of the sons of §Phaisur: Elionas, Massias,
Ishmael, Nathanael, †Ocidelus, and
‡Saloas.
23 Of the Levites: Jozabdus, Semeis,
§Colius who was called †Calitas, ‡Patheus,
Judas, and Jonas.
24 Of the holy singers: §Eliasibus and
Bacchurus.
25 Of the gatekeepers: Sallumus and†
Tolbanes.
26 Of Israel, of the sons of Phoros:‡ Hiermas,
§ Ieddias,† Melchias, Maelus,‡ Eleazar,
Asibas, § and Banneas.
27 Of the sons of Ela: Matthanias,
Zacharias, † Jezrielus, Oabdius, Hieremoth,
and‡ Aedias.
28 Of the sons of §Zamoth: †Eliadas,
‡Eliasimus, §Othonias,Jarimoth, †Sabathus,
and‡ Zardeus.
29 Of the sons ofBebai: Joannes, Ananias,
§Jozabdus, and †Ematheis.
30 Of the sons of ‡ Mani: §Olamus,
†Mamuchus, ‡Jedeus, Jasubas, § Jasaelus,
and Hieremoth.
31 Of the sons of Addi: Naathus, Moossias,
Laccunus, Naidus, Matthanias, Sesthel,
Balnuus, and Manasseas.
32 Of the sons of Annas: Elionas, Aseas,
Melchias, Sabbeus, and Simon Chosameus.
33 Of the sons of Asom: †Maltanneus,
‡Mattathias, §Sabanneus, Eliphalat,
Manasses, and Semei.
34 Of the sons of Baani: Jeremias,
Momdis, Ismaerus, Juel, Mamdai, Pedias,
Anos, Carabasion, Enasibus, Mamnitamenus,
Eliasis, Bannus, Eliali, Someis,
Selemias, and Nathanias. Of the sons
of Ezora: Sesis, Ezril, Azaelus, Samatus,
Zambri, and Josephus.
35 Of the sons of Nooma: Mazitias,
Zabadeas, Edos, Juel, and Banaias.
36 All these had taken foreign wives, and
they put them away with their children.
37 The priests and Levites, and those who
were of Israel, lived in Jerusalem and in
the country, on the new moon of the seventh
month, and the children of Israel in
their settlements.
38 *The whole multitude gathered together
with one accord into the broad place before
the porch of the temple toward the east.
39 They said to Esdras the priest and
reader, “Bring the law of Moses that was
given by the Lord, the God of Israel.”
40 So Esdras the chief priest brought the
law to the whole multitude both of men
and women, and to all the priests, to hear
the law on the new moon of the seventh
month.
41 He read in the broad place before the
porch of the temple from morning until
midday, before both men and women; and
all the multitude gave attention to the law.
42 Esdras the priest and reader ofthe law
stood up upon the pulpit of wood which
had been prepared.
43 Beside him stood Mattathias, Sammus,
Ananias, Azarias, Urias, †Ezekias,
and Baalsamus on the right hand,
44 and on his left hand, ‡Phaldeus, Misael,
Melchias, §Lothasubus, Nabarias, and
Zacharias.
45 Then Esdras took the book of the law
before the multitude, and sat honorably in
the first place before all.
46 When he opened the law, they all
stood straight up. So Esdras blessed the
Lord God Most High, the God of armies, the
Almighty.
47 All the people answered, “Amen.” Lifting up
their hands, they fell to the ground
and worshiped the Lord. 48 Also Jesus, Annus,
Sarabias, Iadinus, Jacubus, Sabateus, †Auteas,
Maiannas, Calitas, Azarias, Jozabdus, Ananias,
and Phalias, the Levites, taught the law of
the Lord, ‡and read to the multitude the
law of the Lord, explaining what was read.
49 Then Attharates said to Esdras the
chief priest and reader, and to the Levites
who taught the multitude, even to all,
50 “This day is holy to the Lord—now they
all wept when they heard the law
51 go then, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those who have nothing;
52 for the day is holy to the Lord. Don’t
be sorrowful, for the Lord will bring you to
honor.”
53 So theLevites commandedallthings to
the people, saying, “This day is holy. Don’t
be sorrowful.”
54 Then they went their way, every one
to eat, drink, enjoy themselves, to give
portions to those who had nothing, and to
rejoice greatly,
55 because they §understood the words
they were instructed with, and for which
they had been assembled.