The Trifold Way of Distinguishing the People of Israel

In Deuteronomy, Ezra is told that the people of Israel have taken some daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons. In this faithlessness, now that is a loaded Hebrew word: Ma'al (violation against sanctity) So in this violation against sanctity, the hand of the officials and chief men have been foremost. The language of separating yourselves from the peoples of the lands, that's a pretty typical Torah language.