Ezra 9:12

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וְ֠עַתָּה H6258
וְ֠עַתָּה
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 1 of 25
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ not your daughters H1323
וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ not your daughters
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 2 of 25
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 3 of 25
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּתְּנ֣וּ Now therefore give H5414
תִּתְּנ֣וּ Now therefore give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 4 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם to your children H1121
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם to your children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 5 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ not your daughters H1323
וּבְנֹֽתֵיהֶם֙ not your daughters
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 6 of 25
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 7 of 25
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּשְׂא֣וּ neither take H5375
תִּשְׂא֣וּ neither take
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 8 of 25
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם to your children H1121
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם to your children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 9 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִדְרְשׁ֧וּ nor seek H1875
תִדְרְשׁ֧וּ nor seek
Strong's: H1875
Word #: 11 of 25
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
שְׁלֹמָ֛ם their peace H7965
שְׁלֹמָ֛ם their peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 12 of 25
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
וְטֽוֹבָתָ֖ם or their wealth H2896
וְטֽוֹבָתָ֖ם or their wealth
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 13 of 25
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
עַד for H5704
עַד for
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 14 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עוֹלָֽם׃ ever H5769
עוֹלָֽם׃ ever
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 15 of 25
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
לְמַ֣עַן H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's: H4616
Word #: 16 of 25
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
תֶּֽחֶזְק֗וּ that ye may be strong H2388
תֶּֽחֶזְק֗וּ that ye may be strong
Strong's: H2388
Word #: 17 of 25
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra
וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּם֙ and eat H398
וַֽאֲכַלְתֶּם֙ and eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 18 of 25
to eat (literally or figuratively)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 19 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ט֣וּב the good H2898
ט֣וּב the good
Strong's: H2898
Word #: 20 of 25
good (as a noun), in the widest sense, especially goodness (superlative concretely, the best), beauty, gladness, welfare
הָאָ֔רֶץ of the land H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ of the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 21 of 25
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֥ם and leave it for an inheritance H3423
וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֥ם and leave it for an inheritance
Strong's: H3423
Word #: 22 of 25
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
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם to your children H1121
לִבְנֵיכֶ֖ם to your children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 23 of 25
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
עַד for H5704
עַד for
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 24 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עוֹלָֽם׃ ever H5769
עוֹלָֽם׃ ever
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 25 of 25
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

Analysis & 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.'

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection