King James Version

What Does Ezra 9:11 Mean?

Ezra 9:11 in the King James Version says “Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean ...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. by: Heb. by the hand of from: Heb. from mouth to mouth”

Ezra 9:11 · KJV

Context

9

For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. to repair: Heb. to set up

10

And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,

11

Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. by: Heb. by the hand of from: Heb. from mouth to mouth

12

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.

13

And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; hast punished: Heb. hast withheld beneath our iniquities

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ezra quotes divine prohibition: 'Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations.' This cites prophetic warnings (not direct Moses quotations but summarizing themes from Leviticus 18, Deuteronomy 7). The land's 'uncleanness' came from inhabitants' practices. The phrase 'which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness' pictures complete pollution. God warned against assimilating such practices.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The prophetic warnings summarized here draw from passages like Leviticus 18:24-28 (land vomiting out inhabitants due to sexual immorality), Deuteronomy 7:1-4 (prohibition on intermarriage with Canaanites), and various prophets who warned against adopting pagan practices. The 'filthiness' and 'abominations' refer specifically to idolatry and associated practices—temple prostitution, child sacrifice, divination. These weren't merely cultural differences but moral evils God explicitly forbade. The land itself was depicted as contaminated by such practices, requiring cleansing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does depicting the land as 'unclean' emphasize the serious moral pollution of idolatrous practices?
  2. What does God's clear prohibition through prophets demonstrate about having adequate warning before judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
אֲשֶׁ֣ר1 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוִּ֗יתָ2 of 24

“Which thou hast commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

בְּיַ֨ד3 of 24

“by”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עֲבָדֶ֣יךָ4 of 24

“thy servants”

H5650

a servant

הַנְּבִיאִים֮5 of 24

“the prophets”

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

לֵאמֹר֒6 of 24

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָֽאֲרָצ֑וֹת7 of 24

“The land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר8 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אַתֶּ֤ם9 of 24
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָּאִים֙10 of 24

“unto which ye go”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לְרִשְׁתָּ֔הּ11 of 24

“to possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

הָֽאֲרָצ֑וֹת12 of 24

“The land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּנִדַּ֖ת13 of 24

“it is an unclean”

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

הִ֔יא14 of 24
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

בְּנִדַּ֖ת15 of 24

“it is an unclean”

H5079

properly, rejection; by implication, impurity, especially personal (menstruation) or moral (idolatry, incest)

עַמֵּ֣י16 of 24

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָֽאֲרָצ֑וֹת17 of 24

“The land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

בְּתוֹעֲבֹֽתֵיהֶ֗ם18 of 24

“with their abominations”

H8441

properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol

אֲשֶׁ֥ר19 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

מִלְא֛וּהָ20 of 24

“which have filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

פֶּ֖ה21 of 24

“it from one end”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

אֶל22 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פֶּ֖ה23 of 24

“it from one end”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

בְּטֻמְאָתָֽם׃24 of 24

“with their uncleanness”

H2932

religious impurity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 9:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 9:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 18:24-30Ezra 6:21Deuteronomy 12:312 Chronicles 33:22 Corinthians 7:1Ezra 9:1

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