For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
The Israelite men have married women from other nations, both for themselves and for their sons. This means God's chosen people have mixed with the people of these foreign lands. Even worse, the leaders and officials have been the main ones doing this wrong thing.
The writer is explaining that God's people, especially their leaders, have disobeyed by marrying people from other nations who worship different gods.
📚 Historical Context
This verse comes from the time when Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. God had previously commanded the Israelites not to intermarry with surrounding nations because it would lead them away from worshiping the true God. The leaders who should have been setting a good example were instead leading the people into disobedience.
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