Ezra 10:9

_THEN ALL THE MEN OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER UNTO JERUSALEM WITHIN THREE DAYS. IT WAS THE NINTH MONTH, ON THE TWENTIETH DAY OF THE MONTH; AND ALL THE PEOPLE SAT IN THE STREET OF THE HOUSE OF GOD, TREMBLING BECAUSE OF THIS MATTER, AND FOR THE GREAT RAIN._ THEN ALL THE MEN OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN. The returned captives belonged chiefly to these tribes; but other Israelites are also included under these names, as they were all then occupying the territory formerly assigned to those two tribes. IT WAS THE NINTH MONTH - i:e., between the end of December and the beginning of January, which is the coldest and most rainy season of the year in Palestine. ALL THE PEOPLE SAT IN THE STREET - i:e., the court or area "of the house of God," in which the people stood as worshippers....

6-14 There is hope concerning people, when they are convinced, not only that it is good to part with their sins, but that it is necessary; we must do it, or we are undone. So rich is the mercy, and so plenteous the redemption of God, that there is hope for the vilest who hear the gospel, and are willing to accept of free salvation. When sinners mourn for their sins, and tremble at the word of God, there is hope that they will forsake them. To affect others with godly sorrow or love to God, we must ourselves be affected. It was carefully agreed how this affair should be carried on. That which is hastily resolved on seldom proves lasting....

Verse Ezra 10:9. _NINTH MONTH_] Answering to a part of our _December_. _TREMBLING BECAUSE OF - THE GREAT RAIN._] Απο του χειμωνος, _Because_ _of the winter, Septuagint_; it was now _December_, the coldest and most rainy part of the year in Palestine....

IT WAS THE NINTH MONTH - Or, our December, a time when rain fails heavily in Palestine: four months, therefore, after Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem (compare Ezra 7:9). THE STREET - Rather, “the court,” the “broad,” “spacious, place” (compare the 2 Chronicles 29:4 note)....

EXPOSITION REPENTANCE OF THE PEOPLE, AND COVENANT SWORN TO, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF SHECHANIAH (Ezra 10:1). While Ezra was uttering his prayer aloud, upon his knees, in front of the temple, where the evening sacrifice was being offered upon the great brazen altar (Ezra 3:2), the people gathered about him, heard what he said, and had their feelings so stirred that numbers of them burst into tears and "wept very sore" (Ezra 10:1). When he had ended, Sheehaniah, the son of Jehiel, took the word, and suggested an

THEN ALL THE MEN OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN,.... And such of the ten tribes that returned and dwelt among them: GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER UNTO JERUSALEM WITHIN THREE DAYS; the time fixed: which they were the more careful to observe, since it was enjoined by the authority of princes and elders, and the punishment in case of disobedience very severe: IT WAS THE NINTH MONTH, ON THE TWENTIETH DAY OF THE MONTH; the month Chisleu, which answers to part of November and part of December, so that the twentieth day must be in the beginning of December; this was almost five months after Ezra came to Jerusalem: AND ALL THE PEOPLE SAT IN THE STREET OF THE HOUSE OF GOD: the street which led to the temple, the east street, 2 Chronicles 29:4 though some think this was the court of the people, called a street, because it lay open, not yet wal

NINTH MONTH That is, December....

CHAPTER 10 _ 1. The effect of Ezra's prayer on the people (Ezra 10:1)_ 2. Ezra summons an assembly (Ezra 10:5) 3. The gathering, confession and the evil judged (Ezra 10:9) 4. The register of those who had married strange women (Ezra 10:18) Ezra 10:1. Ezra's prayer, confession and humiliation were before the house of the LORD.” The people saw his great sorrow and his tears, they heard his words confessing the nation's sins. It produced a wonderful effect among the people. “There assembled unto him out of Israel a great congregation of me

THE JEWS ASSEMBLE IN JERUSALEM; OFFICERS ARE APPOINTED FROM EACH CITY TO SEE THAT THE FOREIGN WIVES ARE PUT AWAY. Ezra 10:6. Jehohanan: _cf._ Nehemiah 12:13. AND WHEN HE CAME THITHER: read, and he lodged there (_mg.), i.e._ spent the night there. Ezra 10:8. forfeited: devoted, _i.e._ put under a religious ban (see pp. 99, 114, Deuteronomy 2:34 * Joshua 6:17 *). SEPARATED FROM THE CONGREGATION: equivalent to the later put out of the synagogue; _cf._...

JUDAH AND BENJAMIN. Yet spoken of as containing representatives of all Israel. See note on Ezra 10:1. NINTH MONTH. That is Chisleu (= Nov. -Dec), four months after Ezra's arrival (Ezra 7:8). STREET. broad place....