1 esdras 9:20 - And they gave their hands to put away their wives, and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their error.
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What does "1 esdras 9:20" mean?
This verse from 1 Esdras 9:20 describes a forced divorce of Jewish men from their foreign wives and the offering of sacrifices as atonement for what was considered a sin. Let's break it down:
"And they gave their hands to put away their wives...": This signifies a commitment, a pledge or oath, to divorce their foreign wives. The phrase "gave their hands" indicates a solemn agreement or promise. This divorce was enforced by the religious leaders of the time.
"...and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their error.": This means they would sacrifice rams as an offering to God to atone for the "error" of marrying foreign women. The word "reconcilement" suggests they were seeking to restore their relationship with God, which they believed had been damaged by these marriages. The offering was meant to appease God's wrath and secure forgiveness.
Context and Interpretation:
This verse is part of a broader narrative about the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. Upon their return, leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah discovered that many Jewish men had married women from neighboring nations. This was seen as a violation of Jewish law and a threat to the religious and cultural purity of the community.
The marriages were seen as problematic for a few key reasons:
Religious Concerns: The foreign wives likely practiced other religions, which was feared would lead the Jewish men and their children to stray from the worship of Yahweh.
Cultural Identity: Marrying outside the community threatened to dilute the distinct Jewish identity and traditions.
Obedience to Law: It was argued that the marriages violated specific commands against marrying certain foreign peoples.
Therefore, Ezra and Nehemiah, with significant public support, demanded that the men divorce their foreign wives and expel them from the community. This was a drastic and controversial measure, but it was seen as necessary to preserve the faith and identity of the Jewish people.
Important Considerations:
Historical Context: It's important to understand the historical context in which this event occurred. The concept of religious and ethnic purity was very strong at that time, and the survival of the Jewish community was seen as paramount.
Moral Implications: From a modern perspective, the forced divorces raise serious ethical questions about the rights and treatment of the foreign women and children involved. The practice may appear cruel and unjust by today's standards.
Biblical Interpretation: Different interpretations exist within religious scholarship about the true meaning of these events and the appropriateness of the actions taken. Some view it as a necessary step to preserve the Jewish faith, while others see it as an example of religious extremism and intolerance.
In summary, 1 Esdras 9:20 describes a painful and controversial episode in Jewish history, where men were compelled to divorce their foreign wives and offer sacrifices as atonement for what was perceived as a transgression against God and their community. Understanding the historical context is crucial for interpreting this verse.
1 esdras 9:20 - And they gave their hands to put away their wives, and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their error.
What does "1 esdras 9:20" mean?
This verse from 1 Esdras 9:20 describes a forced divorce of Jewish men from their foreign wives and the offering of sacrifices as atonement for what was considered a sin. Let's break it down:
"And they gave their hands to put away their wives...": This signifies a commitment, a pledge or oath, to divorce their foreign wives. The phrase "gave their hands" indicates a solemn agreement or promise. This divorce was enforced by the religious leaders of the time.
"...and to offer rams to make reconcilement for their error.": This means they would sacrifice rams as an offering to God to atone for the "error" of marrying foreign women. The word "reconcilement" suggests they were seeking to restore their relationship with God, which they believed had been damaged by these marriages. The offering was meant to appease God's wrath and secure forgiveness.
Context and Interpretation:
This verse is part of a broader narrative about the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. Upon their return, leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah discovered that many Jewish men had married women from neighboring nations. This was seen as a violation of Jewish law and a threat to the religious and cultural purity of the community.
The marriages were seen as problematic for a few key reasons:
Religious Concerns: The foreign wives likely practiced other religions, which was feared would lead the Jewish men and their children to stray from the worship of Yahweh.
Cultural Identity: Marrying outside the community threatened to dilute the distinct Jewish identity and traditions.
Obedience to Law: It was argued that the marriages violated specific commands against marrying certain foreign peoples.
Therefore, Ezra and Nehemiah, with significant public support, demanded that the men divorce their foreign wives and expel them from the community. This was a drastic and controversial measure, but it was seen as necessary to preserve the faith and identity of the Jewish people.
Important Considerations:
Historical Context: It's important to understand the historical context in which this event occurred. The concept of religious and ethnic purity was very strong at that time, and the survival of the Jewish community was seen as paramount.
Moral Implications: From a modern perspective, the forced divorces raise serious ethical questions about the rights and treatment of the foreign women and children involved. The practice may appear cruel and unjust by today's standards.
Biblical Interpretation: Different interpretations exist within religious scholarship about the true meaning of these events and the appropriateness of the actions taken. Some view it as a necessary step to preserve the Jewish faith, while others see it as an example of religious extremism and intolerance.
In summary, 1 Esdras 9:20 describes a painful and controversial episode in Jewish history, where men were compelled to divorce their foreign wives and offer sacrifices as atonement for what was perceived as a transgression against God and their community. Understanding the historical context is crucial for interpreting this verse.