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.

EZRA 10:9KJV
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Ezra 10:9 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:9 mean?

Ezra 10:9 describes how all the men from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem within three days, sitting in the open area by the temple, feeling anxious and trembling because of the serious issue at hand and also because of heavy rain. The verse highlights both their emotional distress and the challenging weather conditions as they assembled.

The setting is after the return from exile, when Ezra has called the people together to address the problem of intermarriage with foreign women, which was seen as a violation of their covenant. The people’s fear (“trembling because of this matter”) shows the gravity of the situation, while the mention of the “great rain” adds to the discomfort and urgency, emphasizing how seriously they took Ezra’s summons despite difficult circumstances.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:9

  • “Trembling” (רָעַד, raʿad): This word means to shake or quake, often from fear or anxiety. Here, it shows the people’s deep emotional response to the issue being discussed, not just physical discomfort from the rain.
  • “Matter” (דָּבָר, davar): This word means “word,” “thing,” or “matter.” In this context, it refers specifically to the problem of intermarriage that Ezra has brought before the people, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.
  • “Rain” (גֶּשֶׁם, geshem): This is the regular word for heavy rain. The mention of “great rain” underlines the physical hardship the people endured to be present, reinforcing their commitment and the urgency of the assembly.

Why Ezra 10:9 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the people’s trembling was not only due to the weather but also because of the seriousness of the covenant issue, showing the weight of spiritual matters in their community.
  • By mentioning both Judah and Benjamin, the verse emphasizes the unity and collective responsibility of the returned exiles in addressing the problem.
  • The detail about the “great rain” connects the story to real, challenging circumstances, making the people’s obedience and willingness to gather even more striking in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“trembling” Hebrew H7460 · used in 3 verses

  • Psalms 104:32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
  • Daniel 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

“ninth” Hebrew H8671 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 25:22 And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:11 The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
  • Jeremiah 39:1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

“rain” Hebrew H1653 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 7:12 And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights.
  • Job 37:6 For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
  • Jeremiah 14:4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

“street” Hebrew H7339 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Esther 6:11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour.
  • Jeremiah 9:21 For death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, and the young men from the streets.