Matthew Poole and continuators on Ezra 9:3

3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment, and my mantle, and pluckt off the hair of my head, and of my beard , and sat down astonied.

Both my inner and my upper garment.

In testimony of my great grief and indignation; which was usual among all those Eastern and Antient People, wherein he did not transgress that Law, Levit. 19 27. Deut. 14. 1. because he did not shave off all the hair, but onely plucked off some hairs.

Partly for grief and shame at the sin; and partly for fear of some great and dreadful Judgment which he expected and feared for it.