[2] Jewish tradition states that Ezra is the author of Ezra-Nehemiah as well as the Book of Chronicles,[3] but modern scholars generally accept that a compiler from the 5th century BCE (the so-called "Chronicler") is the final author of these books.

[5] This chapter and the next deal with the problem of intermarriage, starting with the introduction of the crisis, then Ezra's public mourning and prayer of shame.

[5] J. Gordon McConville suggests that this chapter is central to the Book of Ezra because it draws a sharp contrast between what the people of God ought to be and what they actually are.

Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK:

[14] Hearing the report, Ezra responded with a "public act of contrition" in his function as "the official representative of the community".