Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Ezra 9:11. It's a pretty complex passage, but here’s a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is essentially saying that the land God has given to the people of Judah is already tainted by something negative – a moral and spiritual problem. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Which thou hast commanded by thy servants…” : This refers to the prophets who were sent by God to guide the people of Judah. They were essentially messengers tasked with telling them what was wrong and how to fix it. “…saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it…” : This is the core of the problem. The prophets are saying that they (the people of Judah) have been given the responsibility to take over this land and use it for their own benefit. They’re being asked to possess it – to control and dominate it. “…is an unclean land…” : This is a big, dramatic word. “Unclean” means not holy or pure. It suggests a deep moral corruption. "...with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations..." : This is where it gets really specific. The "filthiness" isn’t just physical dirt. It refers to: Abominations: These are things that God considers deeply wrong and offensive – actions that violate His laws and moral standards. Think of things like idolatry (worshiping other gods), murder, theft, lying, etc. The People of the Lands: This is a general term for all the people living in Judah at the time. "...which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness." : This emphasizes the extent of the problem. The people are so deeply corrupted that they’ve spread this "uncleanness" everywhere – across the whole land, even to the very core. It suggests a pervasive and deeply ingrained issue. In short: This verse warns that the people of Judah have made serious moral mistakes and are allowing their behavior to ruin the land itself. It's a call for repentance and a restoration of righteousness. What’s the Significance? This passage is important because it sets the stage for God’s plan to restore the land and bring about a new era of righteousness in Judah. It highlights the need for change and a commitment to following God's laws. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific historical event or figure? Offer a different interpretation of the verse?