Question
When Ezra arrived in the Jewish homeland from Babylon, why did he become so distressed?
The people had not yet finished the rebuilding of the temple or resummed the covenant rituals.
The priests had stopped offering the required sacrifices.
The people had married into neighboring nations who worshipped other gods.
The priests had abandoned their jobs and turned to farming.
The people had not yet finished the rebuilding of the temple or resummed the covenant rituals.
The priests had stopped offering the required sacrifices.
The people had married into neighboring nations who worshipped other gods.
The priests had abandoned their jobs and turned to farming.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Ezra became distressed when he arrived in the Jewish homeland from Babylon because **the people had married into neighboring nations who worshipped other gods**. This intermarriage was seen as a violation of the covenant and led to concerns about the influence of foreign practices on the Jewish community and their faith. Ezra's reaction was deeply tied to his commitment to maintaining the purity of the Jewish community and adherence to their religious laws.