Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comKeil and Delitzsch Commentary - Ezra 9:3 - 9:3
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
This information threw Ezra into deep grief and moral consternation. The tearing of the upper and under garments was a sign of heartfelt and grievous affliction (Jos 8:6); see remarks on Lev 10:6. The plucking out of (a portion of) the hair was the expression of violent wrath or moral indignation, comp. Neh 13:25, and is not to be identified with the cutting off of the hair in mourning Job 1:20). “And sat down stunned;” מְשֹׁומֵם, desolate, rigid, stunned, without motion. While he was sitting thus, there were gathered unto him all who feared the word of God concerning the transgression of those that had been carried away. חָרֵד, trembling, being terrified, generally construed with עַל or אֶל (e.g., Isa 66:2, Isa 66:5), but here with בְ (like verbs of embracing, believing), and meaning to believe with trembling in the word which God had spoken concerning this מַעַל, i.e., thinking with terror of the punishments which such faithless conduct towards a covenant God involved.