Ezra 9:12 Meaning and Explanation
“Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Ezra recalls the command not to intermarry with or pursue alliance with these peoples, so that Israel might be strong, prosper in the land, and pass on an inheritance to their children.
What Does Ezra 9:12 Mean?
Ezra continues quoting the warning. The instruction not to intermarry or seek entangling alliance was given for the people's good: that they might remain strong, enjoy the land's bounty, and hand down a lasting inheritance. The command was protective, not arbitrary.
The danger of these unions was always spiritual, the pull of foreign worship away from the Lord. God's boundaries here aim at blessing, guarding the people so that faith could be passed on to their children. The verse reminds the reader that the Lord's commands flow from love, and that obedience guards not only the present generation but those yet to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 9:12
What does Ezra 9:12 mean?
Ezra recalls the command not to intermarry with or pursue alliance with these peoples, so that Israel might be strong, prosper in the land, and pass on an inheritance to their children.