Ezra 6:21
New International Version
So the Israelites who had returned from the exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of their Gentile neighbors in order to seek the LORD, the God of Israel.

New Living Translation
The Passover meal was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile and by the others in the land who had turned from their corrupt practices to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.

English Standard Version
It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by every one who had joined them and separated himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to seek the LORD, the God of Israel.

King James Bible
And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

New King James Version
Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.

New American Standard Bible
And the sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the LORD God of Israel, ate the Passover.

NASB 1995
The sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the LORD God of Israel, ate the Passover.

NASB 1977
And the sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the impurity of the nations of the land to join them, to seek the LORD God of Israel, ate the Passover.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the sons of Israel who returned from exile and all those who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the nations of the land to join them, to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, ate the Passover.

Amplified Bible
The Passover was eaten by the sons (descendants) of Israel (Jacob) who returned from exile and by all those who had separated themselves from the [ceremonial] uncleanness of the nations of the land to join them, in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel.

American Standard Version
And the children of Israel that were come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek Jehovah, the God of Israel, did eat,

Contemporary English Version
The sacrifices were eaten by the Israelites who had returned and by the neighboring people who had given up the sinful customs of other nations in order to worship the LORD God of Israel.

English Revised Version
And the children of Israel, which were come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, did eat,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The lambs were eaten by the Israelites who had returned from exile and by all who had separated themselves from the unclean practices of the non-Jews in the land to worship the LORD God of Israel.

Good News Translation
The sacrifices were eaten by all the Israelites who had returned from exile and by all those who had given up the pagan ways of the other people who were living in the land and who had come to worship the LORD God of Israel.

International Standard Version
So the Israelis who had returned from captivity ate the Passover with all who had consecrated themselves from the uncleanness of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to seek the LORD, the God of Israel.

NET Bible
The Israelites who were returning from the exile ate it, along with all those who had joined them in separating themselves from the uncleanness of the nations of the land to seek the LORD God of Israel.

New Heart English Bible
The children of Israel who had come again out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, ate,

Webster's Bible Translation
And the children of Israel, who had returned from captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

World English Bible
The children of Israel who had returned out of the captivity, and all who had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the nations of the land to seek Yahweh, the God of Israel, ate,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sons of Israel, those returning from the captivity, and everyone who is separated from the uncleanness of the nations of the land to them, to seek to YHWH, God of Israel, eat,

Young's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel, those returning from the captivity, and every one who is separated from the uncleanness of the nations of the land unto them, to seek to Jehovah, God of Israel, do eat,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel will eat; those turning back from exile and every one being separated from the uncleanness of the nations of the earth to them, to seek for Jehovah the God of Israel;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the children of Israel that were returned from captivity, and all that had separated themselves from the filthiness of the nations of the earth to them, to seek the Lord the God of Israel, did eat.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the sons of Israel, who had been returned from the transmigration, and all those who had separated themselves from the defilement of the Gentiles of the earth to them, so that they might seek the Lord, the God of Israel, ate

New American Bible
The Israelites who had returned from the exile and all those who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles in the land shared in it, seeking the LORD, the God of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
It was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile, and also by all who had joined them and separated themselves from the pollutions of the nations of the land to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the children of Israel who had come up from the captivity of Babylon, all such who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land to pray before the LORD God of Israel, did eat.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the children of Israel who came up from the captivity of Babel ate, everyone who had separated from the abominations of the Gentiles of the land to pray before LORD JEHOVAH, God of Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the children of Israel, that were come back out of the captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the nations of the land, to seek the LORD, the God of Israel, did eat,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Israel ate the passover, even they that were of the captivity, and every one who separated himself to them from the uncleanness of the nations of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Passover
20All the priests and Levites had purified themselves and were ceremonially clean. And the Levites slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the exiles, for their priestly brothers, and for themselves. 21The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land to seek the LORD, the God of Israel. 22For seven days they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to strengthen their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel.…

Cross References
Exodus 12:48
If a foreigner resides with you and wants to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, all the males in the household must be circumcised; then he may come near to celebrate it, and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised man may eat of it.

Isaiah 56:6-7
And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD to minister to Him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be His servants—all who keep the Sabbath without profaning it and who hold fast to My covenant— / I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

2 Chronicles 30:25
Then the whole assembly of Judah rejoiced along with the priests and Levites and the whole assembly that had come from Israel, including the foreigners who had come from Israel and those who lived in Judah.

Nehemiah 9:2
Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.

Nehemiah 10:28
“The rest of the people—the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who had separated themselves from the people of the land to obey the Law of God—along with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand,

Numbers 9:14
If a foreigner dwelling among you wants to observe the Passover to the LORD, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreigner and the native of the land.’”

Leviticus 17:8-9
Tell them that if anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice / but does not bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to the LORD, that man must be cut off from his people.

1 Kings 8:41-43
And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— / for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Zechariah 2:11
“On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.

Acts 2:38-39
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. / This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.”

Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.

Romans 11:17
Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root,

Ephesians 2:12-13
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. / But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. / Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.


Treasury of Scripture

And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves to them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

all such

Ezra 9:11
Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness.

Numbers 9:6,7,10-14
And there were certain men, who were defiled by the dead body of a man, that they could not keep the passover on that day: and they came before Moses and before Aaron on that day: …

Isaiah 52:11
Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

did eat

Exodus 12:47-49
All the congregation of Israel shall keep it…

Psalm 93:5
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

Jump to Previous
Ate Captivity Children Eat Eaten Evil Exile Filthiness Food Gentile Heathen Impurity Israel Israelites Join Joined Nations Neighbors Order Passover Pollutions Practices Seek Separated Separating Servants Themselves Together Unclean Ways
Jump to Next
Ate Captivity Children Eat Eaten Evil Exile Filthiness Food Gentile Heathen Impurity Israel Israelites Join Joined Nations Neighbors Order Passover Pollutions Practices Seek Separated Separating Servants Themselves Together Unclean Ways
Ezra 6
1. Darius, finding the decree of Cyrus, makes a new decree for building
13. By the help of Tattenai and Shethar-Bozenai the temple is finished
16. The feast of the dedication is kept
19. and the Passover














The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it
This phrase refers to the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. The return from exile was a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people after 70 years of captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:10). The "it" they ate refers to the Passover meal, a significant event commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt. This return and celebration signify a renewal of covenant relationship with God, emphasizing themes of redemption and restoration.

together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land
This highlights the inclusion of non-Israelites who chose to follow the God of Israel, separating themselves from pagan practices. The "peoples of the land" refers to the surrounding nations and their idolatrous customs. This separation is a call to holiness, echoing the Levitical laws that required Israel to be distinct from other nations (Leviticus 20:26). It also foreshadows the New Testament theme of Gentiles being grafted into the faith (Romans 11:17-24).

to seek the LORD, the God of Israel
This phrase underscores the purpose of their separation: a sincere pursuit of the true God. Seeking the LORD involves repentance, worship, and obedience, aligning with the Deuteronomic call to love and serve God with all one's heart and soul (Deuteronomy 6:5). It reflects a heart transformation and commitment to God's covenant, which is central to the faith journey. This pursuit is a precursor to the New Covenant, where seeking God is through Jesus Christ, the ultimate revelation of God (John 14:6).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Israelites who had returned from exile
These are the Jewish people who returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, fulfilling God's promise of restoration.

2. The Passover meal
The context of this verse is the celebration of the Passover, a significant event commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

3. Those who separated themselves
This refers to individuals, possibly including non-Israelites, who chose to follow the God of Israel and separate themselves from the pagan practices of the surrounding nations.

4. The peoples of the land
These are the non-Israelite inhabitants of the region, often associated with idolatry and practices contrary to the worship of Yahweh.

5. The LORD, the God of Israel
The covenant-keeping God who is central to the identity and worship of the Israelites.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Separation for Holiness
Just as the Israelites separated themselves from the uncleanness of the peoples, Christians are called to live distinct lives, set apart for God.

Inclusivity in Worship
The inclusion of those who separated themselves to seek the Lord shows that God’s invitation extends beyond ethnic Israel to all who genuinely seek Him.

The Significance of Remembrance
Celebrating the Passover was a way for the Israelites to remember God's faithfulness. Similarly, Christians are called to remember Christ’s sacrifice through communion.

Commitment to God’s Commands
The returned exiles’ obedience in celebrating the Passover demonstrates the importance of adhering to God’s commands as an expression of faith.

Community in Worship
The communal aspect of the Passover celebration underscores the importance of gathering together in worship and fellowship.(21) Separated themselves . . .--Not proselytes from the heathen are intended, but the remnant of the Jews in the land who had consorted with the foreign populations introduced by the conquerors. Their intermarriages and other acts of conformity are constantly referred to throughout Ezra and Nehemiah.

Verse 21. - Such as had separated themselves unto them. i.e. such proselytes as had been made since the return from the captivity. We have perhaps a mention of some of these proselytes in the "Sherezer" and "Regem-melech" sent by the men of Bethel a short time before this to make inquiries of the priests at Jerusalem in respect of fasting (Zechariah 7:2). These names are Assyrian, and not likely to have been given to persons born Jews. From the filthiness of the heathen means "from their moral defilements" (see ch. 9:11). It is always to be borne in mind that heathen idolatry was full of such impurities.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Israelites
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

who had returned
הַשָּׁבִים֙ (haš·šā·ḇîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

from exile
מֵֽהַגּוֹלָ֔ה (mê·hag·gō·w·lāh)
Preposition-m, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1473: Exile, exiles

ate it,
וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ (way·yō·ḵə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 398: To eat

together with all
וְכֹ֗ל (wə·ḵōl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

who had separated themselves
הַנִּבְדָּ֛ל (han·niḇ·dāl)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 914: To be divided, separate

from the uncleanness
מִטֻּמְאַ֥ת (miṭ·ṭum·’aṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2932: Religious impurity

of the Gentiles
גּוֹיֵֽ־ (gō·w·yê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

of the land,
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

in order to seek
לִדְרֹ֕שׁ (liḏ·rōš)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

the LORD,
לַֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: Ezra 6:21 The children of Israel who had come (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 6:20
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