Definition and Context:
The term "intermarried" in the biblical context generally refers to the marriage between individuals of different ethnic, cultural, or religious backgrounds, particularly between Israelites and non-Israelites. This concept is significant in the Bible as it often relates to the covenantal relationship between God and His chosen people, Israel.

Old Testament References:
Intermarriage is addressed in several Old Testament passages, often with a focus on the potential spiritual and cultural consequences for the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 7:3-4, the Israelites are explicitly commanded not to intermarry with the surrounding nations: "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you."

The concern here is primarily religious, as intermarriage could lead to idolatry and a turning away from the worship of Yahweh. This theme is echoed in other passages, such as Exodus 34:15-16 and Joshua 23:12-13, where the dangers of being led astray by foreign influences are highlighted.

Historical Examples:
The issue of intermarriage is notably addressed during the post-exilic period. In the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, the leaders take decisive action to address the problem of intermarriage among the returned exiles. Ezra 9:1-2 reports, "The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices... They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them."

Ezra's response is one of deep mourning and prayer, leading to a covenant renewal and the separation from foreign wives (Ezra 10:10-11). Nehemiah also confronts this issue, emphasizing the need for purity and obedience to God's laws (Nehemiah 13:23-27).

New Testament Perspective:
While the New Testament does not explicitly address intermarriage in the same way as the Old Testament, it does emphasize the importance of spiritual unity in marriage. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, Paul advises believers, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" This passage is often interpreted as a caution against marrying non-believers, highlighting the potential for spiritual discord.

Theological Implications:
From a theological standpoint, the biblical stance on intermarriage underscores the importance of maintaining a distinct identity as God's people. The concern is not merely ethnic or cultural but deeply spiritual, focusing on the preservation of faith and obedience to God's commandments. The biblical narrative consistently warns against the dangers of syncretism and the dilution of religious commitment through intermarriage.

Conclusion:
The topic of intermarriage in the Bible is complex and multifaceted, reflecting broader themes of covenant, identity, and faithfulness to God. While the specific cultural and historical contexts have changed, the underlying principles of spiritual integrity and commitment to God's ways remain relevant for believers today.

Ezra, the Praying Reformer
... They had intermarried, and had formed the closest and most sacred ties in
family, social and business life, with the Gentile nations. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/vii ezra the praying reformer.htm

False Civilization
... Meanwhile, they had intermarried with the priests of the tribe of Levi; and they
assisted at the worship and sacrifices,"'standing before the Lord' (as ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon vi false civilization.htm

Writing v. But as up to that Time the Genealogies of the Hebrews ...
... 1051] "as, for example, to Achior the Ammanite, and Ruth the Moabitess, and those
who left Egypt along with the Israelites, and intermarried with them"Herod ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/writing v but as up.htm

On the Church
... children of Adam remained faithful to God as long as they kept away from the children
of Cain; but just as soon as they associated and intermarried with them ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 11 on the church.htm

Introduction
... The main bulk of the population, in fact, must have continued unchanged by the
Israelitish conquest, and conquerors and conquered intermarried together. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/introduction.htm

Trinidad
... the history of Trinidad, if at that early period, while the Indians were still powerful,
a little colony of English had joined them, and intermarried with them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter iii trinidad.htm

Cyrus, the Servant Of-The Lord {4}
... luxurious life of the dwellers in the plains, and the effeminate customs of the
Medes"a branch of their own race who had conquered and intermarried with the ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/cyrus the servant of-the lord.htm

The Servant of the Lord.
... luxurious life of the dwellers in the plains, and the effeminate customs of the
Medes"a branch of their own race who had conquered and intermarried with the ...
/.../kingsley/lectures delivered in america in 1874/lecture iv the servant of.htm

Concerted Prayer
... They had not separated themselves from the surrounding heathen people, and
had intermarried with them, contrary to Divine commands. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the essentials of prayer/xi concerted prayer.htm

Nehemiah, the Praying Builder
... Lastly, as a reformer, he discovers another great evil among the people. They had
intermarried with the men and women of Ashdod, Ammon and Moab. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/viii nehemiah the praying builder.htm

Intermarried (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Intermarried (1 Occurrence). Joshua 23:12 But --
if ye at all turn back and have cleaved to the remnant ...
/i/intermarried.htm - 6k

Intermarry (5 Occurrences)
... Joshua 23:12 But -- if ye at all turn back and have cleaved to the remnant of these
nations, these who are left with you, and intermarried with them, and gone ...
/i/intermarry.htm - 8k

Interlacing (1 Occurrence)

/i/interlacing.htm - 6k

Edom (108 Occurrences)
... They dispossessed the Horites of Mount Seir; though it is clear, from Genesis 36,
that they afterwards intermarried with the conquered population. ...
/e/edom.htm - 53k

Binnui (7 Occurrences)
... of the bene Pachath-mo'abh who had taken foreign wives (Ezra 10:30 -Balnuus of 1
Esdras 9:31) and one of the bene Bani (Ezra 10:38) who had also intermarried. ...
/b/binnui.htm - 10k

Cleaved (36 Occurrences)
... Joshua 23:12 But -- if ye at all turn back and have cleaved to the remnant of these
nations, these who are left with you, and intermarried with them, and gone ...
/c/cleaved.htm - 16k

Ally (5 Occurrences)
... Joshua 23:12 But -- if ye at all turn back and have cleaved to the remnant of these
nations, these who are left with you, and intermarried with them, and gone ...
/a/ally.htm - 8k

Ashdod (21 Occurrences)
... of Ashdod and Zechariah to its degraded condition (Zechariah 9:6). It continued
to be inhabited, however, for we find the Jews intermarried with them after the ...
/a/ashdod.htm - 17k

Alliance (12 Occurrences)
... But at a very early date in the history of the Jewish kingdom the official
heads of the people formed such alliances and intermarried. ...
/a/alliance.htm - 21k

Tribe (250 Occurrences)
... article. Perhaps 2 Chronicles 2:14 may be taken to indicate that the Danites
intermarried with the Phoenicians. Divided between ...
/t/tribe.htm - 45k

Who were the Samaritans? | GotQuestions.org

What happened to the lost tribes of Israel? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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