 Olyan argues that Ezra and Nehemiah's attempt of the restoration of Israel to its original state was expressed through the expulsion and alienation of foreign peoples that was caused by both ritual and moral impurities.The Judean people believed that Israel and the priestly bloodline of Israel in itself was pure, being the chosen nation of their God.Furthermore, when the men of Israel committed to relations with Gentile people the acts took away from their purity.