Ezra 10:44

French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)

Tous ceux-là avaient pris des femmes étrangères, et plusieurs en avaient eu des enfants.

What Does This Mean?

This verse lists people who had married non-Israelite women, and some had children from these marriages. Ezra is speaking about the situation of those who had gone against the law by marrying outside their faith. The key message is about the consequences of disobedience and the need for repentance.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're part of a special club where the rules say you can only be friends with certain people. But some kids in the club became friends with others who weren't supposed to be part of the club. Now, they're in trouble because they broke the club rules.

Historical Background

This verse is from the book of Ezra, written by Ezra the scribe sometime between 458 and 430 BCE. It was written to the Israelites returning from exile in Babylon. The cultural setting involves the challenge of maintaining religious purity in a foreign land.

Living It Out Today

In modern life, this verse can remind us of the importance of staying true to our values and beliefs, especially when we're surrounded by influences that might lead us astray. For example, a young person might feel pressured to engage in harmful behaviors because their friends are doing it, but they need to think about the long-term consequences.

Topics

• repentance
• marriage
• cultural influence
• religious purity
• consequences
• faithfulness

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 7:3-4
• Nehemiah 13:23-27
• 1 Corinthians 7:14
• Matthew 15:1-9
• 1 Peter 2:11-12

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Israelites marry non-Israelite women?

The Israelites likely married non-Israelite women due to being in exile and living among other cultures, leading to intermarriage which was against their religious laws.

What were the consequences of marrying outside their faith?

Marriage to non-Israelites could dilute their faith and cultural identity, leading to potential conflict with their religious leaders and God's laws.

How did Ezra respond to these marriages?

Ezra responded by calling for repentance and the separation from foreign wives to return to God's laws and maintain purity.

What can we learn from this verse about maintaining faith?

This verse teaches us the importance of staying true to our faith and not letting external influences lead us away from our beliefs and values.