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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that the Passover meal wasn't just for those who returned from exile, but also included those who actively left their former ways and traditions of surrounding cultures to worship the God of Israel. It shows that belonging to God's people wasn't solely about lineage but also about a deliberate choice to separate from impurity and seek Him.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse marks a joyous conclusion to the rebuilding of the Temple, as both the returned Jewish exiles and a group of "proselytes" (Gentiles who had separated themselves from their pagan practices to worship Israel's God) were finally able to celebrate the Passover together. This inclusive celebration signified a renewed commitment to God and a separation from the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations that had previously marred their worship. It highlights the Temple's role in unifying the people in their devotion to the Lord.
When the people of Israel celebrated a significant feast, who was invited? It wasn't just those with Jewish bloodlines.
This verse highlights a beautiful expansion of God's people. Besides the Israelites who had returned from exile, it mentions 'all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the peoples of the land.' This group, as the commentaries suggest, was likely a mix:
In either case, it shows a community opening its arms, not based on ethnic purity alone, but on a shared commitment to worship the God of Israel.
What does it mean to 'separate himself from the uncleanness of the peoples of the land'?
The phrase 'filthiness of the peoples of the land' points to more than just physical dirt. It refers to the deep moral and spiritual corruption tied to the surrounding pagan religions and cultures. This included idolatry, immorality, and practices that were abhorrent to the God of Israel.
To 'separate' from this meant a conscious, deliberate turning away. It was an act of repentance and a declaration of allegiance to the one true God. This wasn't a passive agreement, but an active choice to forsake old ways and embrace a new path of worship and obedience to the LORD.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
shuwb · Hebrew Verb (Participle)
A historical and theological term referring to the Israelites who were taken into captivity (specifically in Babylon) and subsequently allowed to return to their ancestral land by the grace of God. It signifies a period of divine judgment followed by restoration and covenant renewal.
tum'ah · Hebrew Noun
A state of ritual or moral impurity that renders a person or object unfit for contact with the holy God. In the context of Israel's holiness, it refers to the polluting influence of idolatrous nations and pagan practices from which God's people must keep themselves distinct.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name of the covenant-keeping God of Israel, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His faithfulness and sovereign authority over all history and the destiny of His people.
This verse celebrates a Passover meal following the Temple's reconstruction, a time when not only those who returned from Babylonian exile participated, but also Israelites who had remained in the land and separated themselves from foreign religious practices, as well as Gentile converts ('proselytes') who embraced Judaism.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Deportation
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many Israelites and repopulating the land with foreign colonists. This event significantly alters the ethnic and religious landscape of the region.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling a significant portion of the Judean population to Babylon. This marks the end of an independent Judean kingdom.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Edict
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon and issues a decree allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. This enables the first wave of Jewish returnees.
c. 516 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest, the Jewish exiles complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. This event is a major milestone in their return and restoration.
c. 458-444 BC— this verse
Ezra and Nehemiah's Reforms
Ezra and Nehemiah lead subsequent waves of returnees to Jerusalem, initiating significant religious and social reforms. Ezra confronts intermarriage with foreign women, while Nehemiah oversees the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.
This passage establishes the requirement that foreigners who wish to participate in Passover must first formally join themselves to Israel and undergo circumcision, highlighting the inclusive yet defined nature of worship also seen in Ezra.
Isaiah 56:6-7This prophecy speaks of foreigners joining themselves to the Lord and being accepted in His temple, mirroring the idea in Ezra of those outside Israel embracing the God of Israel and participating in worship.
Nehemiah 10:28-29This passage shows the returned exiles making a covenant to separate themselves from the peoples of the land and their abominations, echoing the commitment of those in Ezra to renounce 'filthiness' and pursue the worship of the Lord.
Acts 10:34-35Peter's realization that God shows no favoritism and accepts anyone who fears Him and does what is right, regardless of background, parallels the acceptance of those who separated themselves from impurity to worship the God of Israel.
pulpitEzra 6:21: "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,"
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 ma…
clarkeEzra 6:21: "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,"
And all such as had separated themselves - These were the proselytes who had embraced the Jewish religion by having mingled with the Jews in their captivity. This proves that there the poor captives had so acted according to the principles of their religion, that the heathens s…
This verse highlights that the Passover meal wasn't just for those who returned from exile, but also included those who actively left their former ways and traditions of surrounding cultures to worship the God of Israel. It shows that belonging to God's people wasn't solely about lineage but also about a deliberate choice to separate from impurity and seek Him.
This verse marks a joyous conclusion to the rebuilding of the Temple, as both the returned Jewish exiles and a group of "proselytes" (Gentiles who had separated themselves from their pagan practices to worship Israel's God) were finally able to celebrate the Passover together. This inclusive celebration signified a renewed commitment to God and a separation from the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations that had previously marred their worship. It highlights the Temple's role in unifying the people in their devotion to the Lord.
This verse marks a joyous conclusion to the rebuilding of the Temple, as both the returned Jewish exiles and a group of "proselytes" (Gentiles who had separated themselves from their pagan practices to worship Israel's God) were finally able to celebrate the Passover together. This inclusive celebration signified a renewed commitment to God and a separation from the idolatrous practices of the surrounding nations that had previously marred their worship. It highlights the Temple's role in unifying the people in their devotion to the Lord.
"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." — This verse highlights that the Passover meal wasn't just for those who returned from exile, but also included those who actively left their former ways and traditions of surrounding cultures to wor…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026