Ezra 10:9

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

وَهَكَذَا اجتَمَعَ كُلُّ رِجَالِ يَهُوذَا وَبَنْيَامِينَ فِي مَدِينَةِ القُدْسِ خِلَالَ ثَلَاثَةِ أيَّامٍ. وَكَانَ ذَلِكَ فِي العِشرِينَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ التَّاسِعِ. وَجَلَسَ جَمِيعُ الشَّعْبِ فِي سَاحَةِ بَيْتِ اللهِ، وَكَانُوا يَرْتَعِدُونَ بِسَبَبِ هَذِهِ المَسألَةِ وَالمَطَرِ الغَزِيرِ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes a gathering of men from Judah and Benjamin in Jerusalem to address a serious issue. They came together quickly, within three days, and met in the street of God's house, feeling very afraid and dealing with heavy rain. No specific person is speaking here, but the text conveys the urgency and solemnity of the situation.

Explained for Children

Imagine all your friends coming to your house really fast because something important needs to be talked about. Everyone feels a bit scared and the weather isn't helping. That's what happened here, but it was in a big, important place where God's house was, and all the grown-ups came to talk about a big problem.

Historical Background

Ezra 10:9 is part of the book of Ezra, written around the 5th century BCE. It documents the return of the Israelites from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem. The audience would have been the returning exiles and those already in Jerusalem. The cultural setting was one of rebuilding and re-establishing religious practices after a long period of absence.

Living It Out Today

In a modern context, imagine a community coming together quickly to address a crisis in their neighborhood, like after a natural disaster. They gather to discuss how to help each other, feeling the weight of the situation and perhaps dealing with challenging weather conditions.

Topics

• community
• return from exile
• repentance
• religious reform
• social issues
• rebuilding

Related Verses

• Nehemiah 13:23
• Deuteronomy 7:3
• Malachi 2:11
• Ezekiel 16:32
• Matthew 15:8

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggered the gathering in Ezra 10:9?

The text suggests that the gathering was triggered by a serious matter that required immediate attention from the community, possibly related to the reformation and purity of the community after their return from exile.

What was the significance of the ninth month and the twentieth day?

The specific date might indicate a significant day for the community, possibly relating to important festivals or significant historical events that required immediate communal response.

Why were the people trembling?

The people were trembling due to the seriousness of the matter they were addressing and the heavy rain, which added to the sense of urgency and solemnity of the gathering.

How does this verse relate to the broader context of Ezra?

This verse is part of Ezra's narrative of the Israelites' return and rebuilding after exile. It shows the community's commitment to addressing issues that could jeopardize their spiritual and communal life.