King James Version

What Does Ezra 9:12 Mean?

Ezra 9:12 in the King James Version says “Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezra 9:12 · KJV


Context

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

14

Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The prohibition continues: '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.' This quotes the principle from Deuteronomy 7:3 and 23:6. The prohibition extended beyond marriage to political alliance ('seek their peace') and economic partnership ('their wealth'). The phrase 'for ever' shows this wasn't temporary strategy but permanent principle of covenant distinctiveness. The purpose: 'that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever.'

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The intermarriage prohibition aimed to prevent religious syncretism, as Israel's history proved (Solomon's foreign wives, Ahab's marriage to Jezebel). The command not to 'seek their peace or wealth' prohibited alliances that would compromise covenant faithfulness for political or economic gain. The promised blessing (strength, prosperity, inheritance) showed that obedience brought security—they didn't need pagan alliances. The 'for ever' inheritance promised perpetual possession conditional on covenant faithfulness, pointing ultimately to Messiah's eternal kingdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does prohibition of both marriage and economic alliances demonstrate that covenant faithfulness affects all life areas, not just worship?
  2. What does promised blessing (strength, prosperity, inheritance) teach about trusting God's provision over worldly alliances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְ֠עַתָּה1 of 25
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶם֙2 of 25

not your daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אַל3 of 25
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּתְּנ֣וּ4 of 25

Now therefore give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם5 of 25

to your children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶם֙6 of 25

not your daughters

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אַל7 of 25
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּשְׂא֣וּ8 of 25

neither take

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם9 of 25

to your children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְלֹֽא10 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִדְרְשׁ֧וּ11 of 25

nor seek

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

שְׁלֹמָ֛ם12 of 25

their peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

וְטֽוֹבָתָ֖ם13 of 25

or their wealth

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

עַד14 of 25

for

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָֽם׃15 of 25

ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

לְמַ֣עַן16 of 25
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

תֶּֽחֶזְק֗וּ17 of 25

that ye may be strong

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּם֙18 of 25

and eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

אֶת19 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

ט֣וּב20 of 25

the good

H2898

good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare

הָאָ֔רֶץ21 of 25

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֥ם22 of 25

and leave it for an inheritance

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

לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם23 of 25

to your children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עַד24 of 25

for

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עוֹלָֽם׃25 of 25

ever

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial


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 9:12 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 9:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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