Lux Domini

Ezra 10

Chapter context

What is happening in Ezra 10?

returntempleTorahrepentance

Ezra 10 belongs to the closing movement of the book, especially the section often described as Ezra’s mission and public reform. Ezra tells of the return under Persian decree, the rebuilding of the temple, and the ministry of Ezra as priestly scribe and reformer. Read this chapter with the wider themes of return, temple, and Torah in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

1 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.   2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.   3 Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.   4 Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.   5 Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.   6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.   7 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;   8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.   9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.   10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.   11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.   12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.   13 But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.   14 Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.   15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.   16 And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.   17 And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.   18 And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.   19 And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.   20 And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.   21 And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.   22 And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah.   23 Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.   24 Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.   25 Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.   26 And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.   27 And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.   28 Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.   29 And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.   30 And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.   31 And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,   32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.   33 Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.   34 Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,   35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,   36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,   37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,   38 And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,   39 And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,   40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,   41 Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,   42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.   43 Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.   44 All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.  

Study helps

Glossary

Ezra Person v. 1-2, 5-6, 10, 16

Help. (1. ) A priest among those that returned to Jerusalem under Zerubabel ( Neh. 12:1 ). (2. ) The “scribe” who led the second body of exiles that returned from Babylon to Jerusalem B. C.

Eliashib Person v. 6, 24, 27, 36

Whom God will restore. (1. ) A priest, head of one of the courses of the priests of the time of David ( 1 Chr. 24:12 ). (2. ) A high priest in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah ( Neh. 12:22 , 23).

Jerusalem Place v. 7, 9

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.

Benjamin Person v. 9, 32

Son of my right hand. (1. ) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel ( Gen. 35:18 ). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place.

City People v. 14

The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).

Asahel Person v. 15

Made by God, the youngest son of Zeruiah, David’s sister. He was celebrated for his swiftness of foot.

Jonathan Person v. 15

Whom Jehovah gave, the name of fifteen or more persons that are mentioned in Scripture. The chief of these are, (1. ) A Levite descended from Gershom ( Judg. 18:30 ). His history is recorded in 17:7-13 and 18:30.

Levite Tribe v. 15

A descendant of the tribe of Levi ( Ex. 6:25 ; Lev. 25:32 ; Num. 35:2 ; Josh. 21:3 , 41).

Meshullam Person v. 15, 29

Befriended. (1. ) One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of Jotham ( 1 Chr. 5:13 ). (2. ) Grandfather of Shaphan, “the scribe,” in the reign of Josiah ( 2 Kings 22:3 ). (3. ) A priest, father of Hilkiah.

Shabbethai Person v. 15

Sabbath-born, a Levite who assisted in expounding the law and investigating into the illegal marriages of the Jews ( Ezra 10:15 ; Neh. 8:7 ; 11:16 ).

Gedaliah Person v. 18

Made great by Jehovah. (1. ) the son of Jeduthum ( 1 Chr. 25:3 , 9). (2. ) The grandfather of the prophet Zephaniah, and the father of Cushi ( Zeph. 1:1 ). (3. ) One of the Jewish nobles who conspired against Jeremiah.

Jarib Person v. 18

An adversary. (1. ) A son of Simeon ( 1 Chr. 4:24 ). (2. ) One of the chiefs sent by Ezra to bring up the priests to Jerusalem ( Ezra 8:16 ). (3. ) Ezra 10:18 .

Ram Person v. 19

Exalted. (1. ) The son of Hezron, and one of the ancestors of the royal line ( Ruth 4:19 ). The margin of 1 Chr. 2:9 , also Matt. 1:3 , 4 and Luke 3:33 , have “Aram. ” (2. ) One of the sons of Jerahmeel ( 1 Chr. 2:25 , 27).

Hanani Person v. 20

God has gratified me, or is gracious. (1. ) One of the sons of Heman ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 25). (2. ) A prophet who was sent to rebuke king Asa for entering into a league with Benhadad I., king of Syria, against Judah.

Zebadiah Person v. 20

Gift of Jehovah. (1. ) A son of Asahel, Joab’s brother ( 1 Chr. 27:7 ). (2. ) A Levite who took part as one of the teachers in the system of national education instituted by Jehoshaphat ( 2 Chr. 17:7 , 8).

Shemaiah Person v. 21, 31

Whom Jehovah heard. (1. ) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam ( 1 Kings 12:22-24 ). (2. ) Neh. 3:29 . (3. ) A Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (4. ) A priest ( Neh. 12:42 ). (5. ) A Levite ( 1 Chr. 9:16 ). (6. ) 1 Chr. 9:14 ; Neh. 11:15 .

Elasah People v. 22

God made. (1. ) One of the descendants of Judah, of the family of Hezron ( 1 Chr. 2:39 , “Eleasah”). (2. ) A descendant of king Saul ( 1 Chr. 8:37 ; 9:43 ).

Elioenai Person v. 22, 27

Toward Jehovah are my eyes, the name of several men mentioned in the Old Testament ( 1 Chr. 7:8 ; 4:36 ; Ezra 10:22 , 27). Among these was the eldest son of Neariah, son of Shemaiah, of the descendants of Zerubbabel.

Jozabad Tribe v. 22-23

Whom Jehovah bestows. (1. ) One of the Benjamite archers who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:4 ). (2. ) A chief of the tribe of Manasseh ( 1 Chr. 12:20 ).

Nethaneel Person v. 22

Given of God. (1. ) The son of Zuar, chief of the tribe of Issachar at the Exodus ( Num. 1:8 ; 2:5 ). (2. ) One of David’s brothers ( 1 Chr. 2:14 ).

Pashur Person v. 22

Release. (1. ) The son of Immer (probably the same as Amariah, Neh. 10:3 ; 12:2 ), the head of one of the priestly courses, was “chief governor [Heb. paqid nagid, meaning “deputy governor”] of the temple” ( Jer. 20:1 , 2).

Pethahiah Person v. 23

Loosed of the Lord. (1. ) The chief of one of the priestly courses (the nineteenth) in the time of David ( 1 Chr. 24:16 ). (2. ) A Levite ( Ezra 10:23 ). (3. ) Neh. 9:5 .

Shimei Person v. 23, 33, 38

Famous. (1. ) A son of Gershon, and grandson of Levi ( Num. 3:18 ; 1 Chr. 6:17 , 29); called Shimi in Ex. 6:17 .

Shallum Person v. 24, 42

Retribution. (1. ) The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He “conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead” ( 2 Kings 15:10 ).

Benaiah Person v. 25, 30, 35, 43

Built up by Jehovah. (1. ) The son of Jehoiada, chief priest ( 1 Chr. 27:5 ). He was set by David over his body-guard of Cherethites and Pelethites ( 2 Sam. 8:18 ; 1 Kings 1:32 ; 1 Chr. 18:17 ).

Eleazar Person v. 25

God has helped. (1. ) The third son of Aaron ( Ex. 6:23 ). His wife, a daughter of Putiel, bore him Phinehas ( Ex. 6:25 ). After the death of Nadab and Abihu.

Malchiah Person v. 25, 31

Jehovah’s king. (1. ) The head of the fifth division of the priests in the time of David ( 1 Chr. 24:9 ). (2. ) A priest, the father of Pashur ( 1 Chr. 9:12 ; Jer. 38:1 ).

Mattaniah Person v. 26-27, 30, 37

Gift of Jehovah. (1. ) A Levite, son of Heman, the chief of the ninth class of temple singers ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 16). (2. ) A Levite who assisted in purifying the temple at the reformation under Hezekiah ( 2 Chr. 29:13 ).

Zechariah Person v. 26

Jehovah is renowned or remembered. (1. ) A prophet of Judah, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Like Ezekiel, he was of priestly extraction. He describes himself (1:1) as.

Zabad Person v. 27, 33, 43

Gift. (1. ) One of David’s valiant men ( 1 Chr. 11:41 ), the descendant of Ahlai, of the “children of Sheshan” (2:31). (2. ) A descendant of Tahath (7:21). (3. ) The son of Shemath.

Hananiah Tribe v. 28

Jehovah has given. (1. ) A chief of the tribe of Benjamin ( 1 Chr. 8:24 ). (2. ) One of the sons of Heman ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 23). (3. ) One of Uzziah’s military officers ( 2 Chr. 26:11 ).

Jehohanan Person v. 28

Jehovah-granted, Jeroboam II. (1. ) A Korhite, the head of one of the divisions of the temple porters ( 1 Chr. 26:3 ). (2. ) One of Jehoshaphat’s “captains” ( 2 Chr. 17:15 ). (3. ) The father of Azariah ( 2 Chr. 28:12 ).

Zabbai Person v. 28

Wanderer; pure. (1. ) Ezra 10:28 . (2. ) The father of Baruch, who “earnestly repaired” part of the wall of Jerusalem ( Neh. 3:20 ; marg., “Zaccai”).

Malluch Person v. 29, 32

Reigned over, or reigning. (1. ) A Levite of the family of Merari ( 1 Chr. 6:44 ). (2. ) A priest who returned from Babylon ( Neh. 12:2 ). (3. ) Ezra 10:29 . (4. ) Ezra 10:32 .

Harim Place v. 31

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Al Haram.

Amram Person v. 34

Kindred of the High; i. e., “friend of Jehovah. ” (1. ) The son of Kohath, the son of Levi. He married Jochebed, “his father’s sister,” and was the father of Aaron, Miriam, and Moses ( Ex. 6:18 , 20; Num. 3:19 ).

Meremoth Person v. 36

Exaltations, heights, a priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:3 ), to whom were sent the sacred vessels ( Ezra 8:33 ) belonging to the temple. He took part in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Nathan Person v. 39

Given. (1. ) A prophet in the reigns of David and Solomon ( 2 Chr. 9:29 ). He is first spoken of in connection with the arrangements David made for the building of the temple.

Shelemiah Person v. 39, 41

Whom Jehovah repays. (1. ) Ezra 10:39 . (2. ) The father of Hananiah ( Neh. 3:30 ). (3. ) A priest in the time of Nehemiah (13:13). (4. ) Father of one of those who accused Jeremiah to Zedekiah ( Jer. 37:3 ; 38:1 ).

Amariah Person v. 42

Said by Jehovah. (1. ) One of the descendants of Aaron by Eleazar ( 1 Chr. 6:7 , 52). He was probably the last of the high priests of Eleazar’s line prior to the transfer of that office to Eli, of the line of Ithamar.

Joel Person v. 43

Jehovah is his God. (1. ) The oldest of Samuel’s two sons appointed by him as judges in Beersheba ( 1 Sam. 8:2 ). (See VASHNI. ) (2. ) A descendant of Reuben ( 1 Chr. 5:4 , 8). (3. ) One of David’s famous warriors.

Nebo Place v. 43

Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Nuba.