Ezra 9

Ezra 9:1

THe Levites have not separated themselves] From the time they came home under Zerubbabel, untill the coming of Ezra they had degenerate contrary to the law of God, and married where it was not lawfull, Deuteronomy 7:3.

Ezra 9:2

of their daughters] Unconverted.

the holy seed] By Gods covenant with Abraham, out of whose loyns they came, 1 Corinthians 7:14.

the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief] They began first to take strange wives to the bad example of the rest.

Ezra 9:3

I rent my garment] Genesis 37:34.

and pluckt off the hair of my head] Heb. some of the hair.

Ezra 9:4

I sate astonied] As one doubting whether God would continue his benefits towards them, or no.

Ezra 9:5

heavinesse] Or, affliction.

having rent my garment] He meaneth not that he rent his garment again, but that he prayed with those garments on, which he had rent, vers. 3. and did not put them off.

Ezra 9:6

our iniquities are increased over our head] That is, we are drowned in sin: or, over-whelmed with it, Psalms 38:4.

our trespasse] Or, guiltinesse.

is grown up unto the heavens] They so exceed, that they cannot grow greater, Jonah 1:2. 2 Chronicles 28:9.

Ezra 9:7

as it is this day] For many were not returned from captivity.

Ezra 9:8

And now] They suddenly grew evill. This aggravates their sin.

for a little space] Heb. for a moment.

grace hath been shewed] So doth the great favour of deliverance from captivity make their sin greater.

a nail] Or, a pin: That is, a constant and sure abode. A fixed place, as a nail hath, being fastned in a wall, Isaiah 22:23. Ecclel. 12. 11.

lighten our eyes] By refreshing us who were in great danger, like men whose sight decayes, 1 Samuel 14:29.

Ezra 9:9

to repair] Heb. to set up.

Ezra 9:10

after this] Seeing God hath not left us in our adversity, and yet we have sinned against him after our deliverance.

Ezra 9:11

Which thou hast commanded] God had forewarned them, and therefore they could not plead ignorance to lessen their sin.

by thy servants] Heb. by the hand of thy servants.

from one end to another] Heb. from mouth to mouth.

Ezra 9:12

give not your daughters unto their sons] Exodus 23:32. Deuteronomy 7:3.

no seek their peace] Deuteronomy 23:6.

Ezra 9:13

hast punished us lesse then our iniquities deserve] Heb. hast withheld beneath our iniquities. This made their present sin the greater, because God favourably corrected them for their former sins, and not utterly destroyed them, as in justice he might, Lamentations 3:22.

Ezra 9:14

wouldest] Or, wilt.

hadst] Or, hast.

should] Or, shall.

Ezra 9:15

for] Or, though.

we remain yet escaped] We may be destroyed another time, though we have escaped now.

for] Or, but.

we cannot stand before thee] Though we come before thee as thy people, yet our consciences accuse us, and make us hang down our heads.