Marriage & Relationships

Marriage, Relationships
Adultery and other forbidden sexual activities

“Retrospectacle”

My opinions will be brief here and only inserted as I feel they are needed
People Need the Word not man’s opinion to know the Truth

4　Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled:
but whoremongers and adulterers YHWH will judge.
Heb 13:4

Instructing the rich young man how to gain eternal life,
and how to be perfect

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one, that is, YHWH:
but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
18 He saith unto him, Which? Yahushua said, Thou shalt do no murder,
Thou shalt not commit adultery,
Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20　The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21　Yahushua said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
22　But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:
for he had great possessions.
Matt 19:16-22

A few Basic Scriptural verses on Adultery

14　Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Ex 20:14

10　And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife,
even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife,
the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
11　And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
12　And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.
Lev 20;10-12

18　Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
Deut 5:18

A More pure approach to understanding
and avoiding Adultery

27　Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time,
Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28　But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her
hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29　And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30　And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31　 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32　But I say unto you,
That whosoever shall put away his wife,
saving for the cause of fornication* caused her to commit adultery:
[*post proposal pre consummation sexual activity] , and
whosoever shall marry her that is divorced
committeth adultery. [The same goes for the man!]
Matt 5:27-32
(*A perfect example is when Joseph was going to put Mary away quietly for being pregnant after their oath of Marriage but before their consummation… .
If Yahushua was not the Son of the Almighty Ever-present Creator & ruler of the Universe then She would have been guilty of “fornication after the fact” and worthy of a Proper letter of divorce” if not stoning to the fullest extent\ as in the example of “the woman taken in adultery” later in this exposition)

17　Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? 18　But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19　For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,
 adulteries, fornications,
 thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
20　These are the things which defile a man:
but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Matt 15:17-20
(All these quoted offences are “forbidden in the Torah” and He just claimed they are
what defile people. It does not sound like He is saying the commandments are no longer to be followed; It Sounds more like they are to be observed, obeyed and taught to all generations!)

Concerning a proper reason for divorce
And certain reiteration that remarriage is Adultry

3　The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him,
Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
4　And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which
made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5　And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6　Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh.
What therefore YHWH hath joined together let not man put asunder.
7　They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8　He saith unto them,
Moses because of the hardness of your hearts
suffered you to put away your wives:
but from the beginning it was not so.
9　And I say unto you,
Whosoever shall put away his wife,
except it be for *fornication
[*post oath pre consummation sexual congregation],
and shall marry another,
committeth adultery: and
whoso marrieth her which is put away
doth commit adultery.
Matt 19:3-9

1　And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. 2　And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. 3　And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? 4　And they said, Moses suffered to write a “bill of divorcement”, and to put her away.
5　And Yahushua answered and said unto them,
For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. 6　
But from the beginning of the creation
God made them male and female.
7　For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; 8　
And they twain shall be one flesh:
so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
 9　What therefore
YHVH hath joined together,
let not man put asunder.
10　And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter.
11　And he saith unto them,
Whosoever shall put away his wife,
and marry another,
committeth adultery against her.
12　And if a woman shall put away her husband,
and be married to another,
she committeth adultery.
Mk 10;  1-12


10　He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11  If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12　And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? 13　No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve YHWH and mammon. 14　And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15　And he said unto them,
Ye are they which justify yourselves before men;
but YHVH knoweth your hearts:
for that which is highly esteemed among men
is abomination in the sight of YHVH. 16　
The law and the prophets were until John:
since that time the kingdom of YHWH is preached, and every man presseth into it.


17　And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail…

18　Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery:

 and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.
Luke 16:10-18


1　 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that
the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2　For the woman which hath an husband
is bound by the law to her husband
so long as he liveth;
but if the husband be dead,
she is loosed from the law of her husband.

3　So then if, while her husband liveth,
she be married to another man,
she shall be an adulteress:

but if her husband be dead,
she is free from that law;
so that she is no adulteress,
though she be married to another man.
Romans 7:1-3

Reasons for marrying or remaining single

1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his “own” “wife“, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband:
and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
5 deny not one another, except it be with consent for a time,
that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
and come together again,
that Satan tempt you not for your [imposed restriction] into incontinency…
6 But I speak this (next statement) by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry:
for it is better to marry than to burn.

[Marriage vows are to be taken seriously]
10 And unto the married I command,
yet not I, but YHVH,
Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 “But and if she depart,
let her remain unmarried,
or be reconciled to her husband:”
And “let not the husband put away his wife”.
12 But to the rest speak I, not YHVH: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband:
else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but YHVH hath called us to peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17 But as YHVH hath distributed to every man, as He hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all congregations. 18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not pompous because he is uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be self righteous for being circumcised. 19 Circumcision is , and uncircumcision is…
We are called for nothing but the [keeping \ obeying] of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in YHVH, being a servant, is Yah’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Messiah's servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with YHVH.
1 Cor  7;1-24
How much clearer can it get?
Declared in unquestionable Elocution! Unequivocally explicit, undeniably evident & unexceptionally explained!
!We just read that we are to reconcile with our spouses’ or remain single!
Let us continue further shall we…

25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of YHWH: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of YHWH to be faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed.

Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to YHWH, and how he may please YAH: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world,
how he may please his wife.
34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin.
The unmarried woman careth for the things of YHWH,
that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:
but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon YHWH without distraction.
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin,
if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will,
he sinneth not: let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity,
but hath power over his own will,
and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well;
but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth;
but if her husband be dead,
she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in YHWH.
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment:
and I think also that I have the Spirit of YHWH.
1 Cor 7:1-40 　


Yahushua blesses the children who are brought to Him
(This has nothing to do with sex but children are the result of sexual activities
and this passage is an eternal lesson on several levels so please allow this segue)…

13　And they brought young children to him,
that he should touch them:
and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.
14　But when Yahushua saw it,
he was much displeased, and said unto them,
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not:
for of such is the kingdom of YHWH.
15　Verily I say unto you,
Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of YHWH as a little child,
he shall not enter therein.
16　And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.


In another account of what we read earlier, Messiah shows a rich man how to inherit eternal life, and then tells His disciples the danger of improper priority towards riches.

17　And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18　And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good?
there is none good but one, that is, YHWH.
19　Thou knowest the commandments,
Do not commit adultery,
Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20　And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21　Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22　And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23　And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of YHWH! 24　And the disciples were astonished at his words.
But Yahushua answereth again, and saith unto them,
Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of YHWH! 25　It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of YHWH.
26　And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves,
Who then can be saved? 27　And Yahushua looking upon them saith,
With men it is impossible,
but not with YHVH:
for with YHVH all things are possible.
28　Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
29　And Yahushua answered and said,
Verily I say unto you,
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30　But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions;
and in the world to come eternal life.
31　But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Mark 10:1-31

1　[Yahushua] went unto the mount of Olives. 2　And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him;
and he sat down, and taught them.
3　And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a
woman taken in adultery;
and when they had set her in the midst,
4　They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
[where is the male violator???]
5　Now Moses in the law commanded us,
that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?
6　 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him.
But Yahshua stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground,
as though he heard them not.
7　So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them,
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8　And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9　And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last:
and Yahushua was left alone,
and the woman standing in the midst.
10　When He had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11　 She said, No man, Lord. And Yahushua said unto her,
Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.          
John 8:1-11


The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God

9　 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of YHWH? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters,
nor adulterers,
nor effeminate (Homosexuals; Lev 20:13  If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.),
nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10　Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists,
shall inherit the kingdom of YHWH.
11　And such were some of you:
but ye [were and are] washed,
but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of, and by the Spirit of  YHWH.
1 Cor 6:9-11

Of the right use and purpose of the law

5　Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6　From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7　Desiring to be teachers of the law;
understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8　But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9　Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man,
but for the lawless and disobedient: for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy
and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10　For whoremongers,
for them that defile themselves with mankind (homosexuals Lev 20:13),
for Kidnappers and slave traders, for liars, for perjured persons,
and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11　According to the glorious gospel of YHWH the blessed almighty one,
which was committed to my trust.
1 Tim 1:5-11

Again instructing the rich young man how to gain eternal life,
and how to be perfect and His reaction to this command

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, YHVH: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Yahshua said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery,
Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20　The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21　Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast,
and give to the poor,
and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:
and come and follow me.
22　But when the young man heard that saying,
he went away sorrowful:
for he had great possessions.
Matt 19:16-22


Reiteration as already stated [Homosexuality is forbidden]
13　If a man also lie with mankind,
as he lieth with a woman,
both of them have committed an abomination:
they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Lev 20:13

Several situations where sexual activities are examined and exposed.

14　And if a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness:
they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they;
that there is no wickedness among you.
Lev 20:14


Starting with this Commandment we will begin a concept and explore it further as we go;

1　And YHWH spake unto Moses, saying,
2　Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel,
Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel,
that giveth any of his seed unto Molech;
he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
3　And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech,
to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name.

A Warning for communities over looking or hiding the sins
of their population and follow after their abominations’…

4　And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man,
when he giveth of his seed unto Molech,
and kill him not: 5　Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off,
and all that go a whoring after him,
to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people.
6　And the soul that turneth after such as has familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul,
and will cut him off from among his people. 7　
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and are ye holy:
for I am YHVH Almighty.
8　And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them:
I am YHVH which sanctify you...
9　For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall be surely put to death:
he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him...

Here we are about to observe a hero amongst cowards and see what should have been a good opportunity to save these people from a fate that was death, by warning & stopping them before the act to alleviate executing them after the fact…
[Lev 20;1-5,7,8, 10, 22-24, 26 \forbidden activities and reasons for purity.
Phinehas kills Zimri and Cozbi]

6　And, behold, one of the children of Israel came
and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses,
and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel,
who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
7　And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8　And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9　And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. 10　And YHVH spake unto Moses, saying, 11　Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. 12　Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
13　And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for YHVH, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. 14　Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. 15　And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian.
[The Midianites are to be vexed]
16　And YHVH spake unto Moses, saying, 17　Vex the Midianites, and smite them: 18　For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.
Num 25:6-18
proving zealous righteous behavior can save the lives of myriads of people and animals, and incite the blessing of the Father for generations to come. and in contrast;

showing blatant disobedience might bring dire punishment to the violators and places a curse on the descendants’
of the perpetrators.　


True Sanctification

1　Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2　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.
3   And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonished. 4　Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of YHWH the Mighty One of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.
He prays
5　And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto YHVH my Mighty One, 6　And said, O YHVH, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my Holy One: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. 7　Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. 8　And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from  YHVH Almighty, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our Mighty One may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.
9　For we were bondmen; yet our Mighty One YHVH hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of YHVH, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. 10　And now, O Mighty One, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, 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. 12　Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. 13　And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our Mighty One hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; 14　Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? 15　O YHVH the Mighty One of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.
Ezra 9:1-15

Shechaniah encourages Ezra to reform the foreign marriages

1　Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of YHVH, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. 2　And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our Mighty One, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing. 3　Now therefore let us make a covenant with YHVH to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of YHVH, and of those that tremble at the commandment of  YHVH; and let it be done according to the law.
4　Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it. 5　Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they swore.

[Ezra, mourning, assembles the people]
6　Then Ezra rose up from before the house of YHVH, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away. 7　And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem; 8　And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. 9　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 YHVH, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. 10　And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. 11　Now therefore make confession unto the YHVH Mighty One of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. 12　Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. 13　But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing. 14　Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our Holy One for this matter be turned from us.
Their diligence to fulfill this promise
15　Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah [Tikvah means Hope] were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them. 16　And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. 17　And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month. 18　And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah. [19　And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass. 20　And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah. 21　And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah. 22　And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah. 23　Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. 24　Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri. 25　Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. 26　And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah. 27　And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza. 28　Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. 29　And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth. 30　And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh. 31　And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32　Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. 33　Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. 34　Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel, 35　Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh, 36　Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37　Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau, 38　And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei, 39　And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah, 40　Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41　Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42　Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. 43　Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah. ]
44　All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
Ezra 10:1-44
　

In Ezra 9 when the priest found out that the leaders were married and
had children with people from the forbidden nationalities
he made them adjust their behavior with passion and had them
separate the integrated family members from the congregation.
Through no fault of their own, the innocent children were punished and sent away
[with the acquiescent spouses, many of whom were not aware of the rules either but were forced
to leave the congregation anyway].
Removed from the congregation and the blessings of the Fathers attributes and presence
Due to a technicality they had to be removed, even if they were assimilated, innocent & faithfully obedient  spouses & children…

[Here is why they had to be severed from the congregation, through no fault of their own for their lineage, but guilty of breaking the commandments; they could have assimilated and married acceptable national background peoples and continued with the congregation under different circumstances…]

1　On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; 2　Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our YHVH turned the curse into a blessing.
3　Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. 4　And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah [Tov -Yah or YHWH is GOOD]: 5　And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. 6　But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: 7　And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of YHVH. 8　And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. 9　Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of YHVH, with the meat offering and the frankincense.
He reassigns duties in the house of YHVH
10　And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled every one to his field. 11　Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of YHVH forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. 12　Then brought all Judah the tithe of the corn and the new wine and the oil unto the treasuries. 13　And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
14　Remember me, O YHVH, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my YHVH, and for the offices thereof.
Neh_13;1-14

[We are about to see that we need to know Hebrew to be able to read and study the unadulterated scriptures for our selves along with being obedient]…
and the marriages with foreign wives corrected

23　In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: 24　And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Hebrews language, but according to the language of each people. 25　And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by YHVH, saying, Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves. 26　Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of YHVH, and YHVH made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
27　Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our Holy One in marrying strange wives? 28　And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite:
therefore I chased him from me.
29　Remember them, O YHVH, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites.
30　Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; 31　And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.
 Neh 13:1-31

Times appointed means celebrating the Feasts as commanded in the TORAH!
there in Neh 13 we just saw the same situations and instances as Ezra 9
from another contemporary witness and still needing to deal with the Issue.


1　They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith YHVH. 2　Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness. 3　Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. 4　Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My father, thou art the guide of my youth? 5　Will he reserve his anger for ever? will he keep it to the end? Behold, thou hast spoken and done evil things as thou couldest.
Judah worse than Israel
6　YHVH said also unto me in the days of YosYah [Josiah] the king, Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? she is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. 7　And I said after she had done all these things, Turn thou unto me. But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8　And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. 9　And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with sticks. 10　And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith YHVH. 11　And YHVH said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah.
Jer 3:1-11 (KJV)

Jer 3; 1-8 the chapter depicts Israel’s relationship w\ YHWH as an unfaithful spouse whoring around with other gods/ but after playing the field they would go back and join the congregation in YHWH’s Temple and play along with the rest of the followers as if they had not actually just come from worshiping man made Idols representing fallacious gods sitting on illicit alters!

We in every generation need to understand the commitment of the marriage vows and consequences of marital infidelity here in the finite world, and assimilate the information and associate the lesson with our relationship with the Father. In other words honor the Father and be faithful to Him.

[Hosea, to show YHVH’s judgment for spiritual adultery, takes Gomer as his wife]

1　The word of YHVH that came unto Hosea, the son of Beeri, in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel.
2　The beginning of the word of YHVH by Hosea. And YHVH said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from YHVH. 3　So he went and took Gomer the daughter of Diblaim;
Hosea 1:1-3

Monuments of idolatry are to be destroyed
1 These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which YHVH the Mighty One  of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. 2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: 3 And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place.
4 Ye shall not do so unto YHVH your Mighty One.
[The place of God's service is to be kept]
5 But unto the place which the YHVH your Mighty One shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: 6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: 7 And there ye shall eat before YHVH, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein YHVH hath blessed thee. 8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. 9 For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which YHVH giveth you. 10 But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which YHVH giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; 11 Then there shall be a place which YHVH shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto YHVH: 12 And ye shall rejoice before YHVH, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. 13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 14 But in the place which YHVH shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. 15 Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the YHVH your Mighty One which he hath given thee:
Deut 12:1-15