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When I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down confounded.

Verse Takeaways

1

The Language of Grief

Commentators explain that Ezra's actions—tearing both his inner and outer garments and pulling out his hair—were powerful, culturally understood symbols of extreme grief and horror. John Gill notes this was a common practice in various ancient cultures to express profound sorrow, showing the depth of Ezra's distress over the people's sin.

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Book Overview

Ezra

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Commentaries

4

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Ezra 9:3

18th Century

Theologian

Plucking out the hair with the hands, so common among the Classical nations, is, comparatively speaking, rarely mentioned as practiced by Asians.

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Ezra 9:1–4

19th Century

Bishop

Now when these things were done.—The remainder of the book is occupied with the execution of Ezra’s function as a moral reformer. …

John Gill

John Gill

On Ezra 9:3

17th Century

Pastor

And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle ,
&c.] Both inward and outward garments, that which was…

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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Ezra 9:1–4

17th Century

Minister

Many corruptions remain hidden from even the most careful rulers. Some of the people disobeyed the express command of God, which forbade all marria…