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NASB | Ezra 10:3 "So now let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ezra 10:3 "Therefore let us now make a covenant with our God to send away all the [foreign] wives and their children, in accordance with the advice of my lord and of those who tremble [in reverent obedience] at the commandment of our God; and let it be done in accordance with the Law. |
Subject: Ezra and Family Values? |
Bible Note: Bloodlines. Hello Angel. Thanks for your post. I agree that is important to see each Bible passage in light of others. While the goal in Ezra is certainly purity, this is understood in racial terms. They were to keep the bloodline pure to prevent the split allegiances that come from marrying pagan partners. (Throughout Chronicles, we see Kings get wrapped up with idolatry through their family ties.... so this rule is not without reason.) As for the explicit concern with race, see how the officials report the situation to Ezra: “For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons. Thus the holy seed has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands, and in this faithlessness the officials and leaders have lead the way.” (Ezra 9:2) The phrase “holy seed” would refer, I think, to Abrahams bloodline. So, this is difficult to hear. Some other questions I have: How are we to understand family, when priveleging ancestral family leads to breaking marriage bonds? Since Ezra takes action regarding Jewish men with gentile wives, what of the Jewish women with gentile husbands? |