Ezra 10
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Commentaries
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The people wept very sore - They were deeply affected at the thought of God's displeasure, which they justly feared was about to light upon them, because of their transgressions.
Open source ↗EZRA REFORMS THE STRANGE MARRIAGES. (Ezra 10:1-17) Now when Ezra had prayed--As this prayer was uttered in public, while there was a general concourse of the people at the time of the evening sacrifice and as it was accompanied with all the demonstrations of poignant sorrow and anguish, it is not surprising that the spectacle of a man so respected, a priest so holy, a governor so dignified as Ezra, appearing distressed and filled with fear at the sad state of things, should produce a deep sensation; and the report of his passionate grief and expressions in the court of the temple having rapidly spread through the city, a great multitude flocked to the spot.
Open source ↗Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping,.... Had confessed the sins of the people in prayer and supplication, with many tears: and casting himself down before the house of God; in the outward court before the temple, his face turned towards it, where he lay prostrate: there assembled to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men, and women, and children; it was quickly spread abroad, both in Jerusalem and places adjacent, that such a great man, a commissioner from the king of Persia, and a priest of the Jews, was in the utmost distress, rending his garments, and plucking off his hair, and was crying and praying in a vehement manner; which brought a great concourse of people, who concluded some great sins were committed, and sore judgments were coming upon them: for the people wept very sore; being affected with his confessions, cries, and tears, and fearing wrath would come upon them for their sins.
Open source ↗The separation of the strange wives from the congregation. - Ezr 10:1-5. While Ezra was making this confession before God, a numerous assemblage gathered around him, and wept aloud. From this point onwards Ezra relates the further course of events in such wise as to cast his own person in the background, and speaks of himself in the third person. The matter of his prayer is more definitely declared by וּכהתודּתו, and his posture in prayer by וּמתנפּל בּכה, weeping and casting himself down (lying on his knees, Ezr 9:5). "Before the house of God," i.e., in the court of the temple. The confirmatory clause: for the people wept much (בכה הרבּה, a weeping in mass), furnishes the motive of so great a number of men, women, and children gathering around Ezra. Very many were as distressed as he was at the marriages with strange wives, and regarded them as a grievous trespass; hence they assembled weeping around him.
Open source ↗We are here told, I. What good impressions were made upon the people by Ezra's humiliation and confession of sin. No sooner was it noised in the city that their new governor, in whom they rejoiced, was himself in grief, and to so great a degree, for them and their sin, than presently there assembled to him a very great congregation, to see what the matter was and to mingle their tears with his, Ezr 10:1. Our weeping for other people's sins may perhaps set those a weeping for them themselves who otherwise would continue senseless and remorseless. See what a happy influence the good examples of great ones may have upon their inferiors. When Ezra, a scribe, a scholar, a man in authority under the king, so deeply lamented the public corruptions, they concluded that they were indeed very grievous, else he would not thus have grieved for them; and this drew tears from every eye: men, women, and children, wept very sore, when he wept thus. II. What a good motion Shechaniah made upon this occasion. The place was Bochim - a place of weepers; but, for aught that appears, there was a profound silence among them, as among Job's friends, who spoke not a word to him, because they saw that his grief was very great, till Shechaniah (one of Ezra's companions from Babylon, Ezr 8:3, Ezr 8:5) stood up, and made a speech addressed to Ezra, in which, 1. He owns the national guilt, sums up all Ezra's confession in one word, and sets to his seal that it is true: "We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives, Ezr 10:2. The matter is too plain to be denied and too bad to be excused." It does not appear that Shechaniah was himself culpable in this matter (if he had had the beam in his own eye, he could not have seen so clearly to pluck it out of his brother's eye), but his fat…
Open source ↗10:1 Ezra’s genuine mourning in response to his people’s sin moved many of them to join him.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite פָּלַל (pâlal, H6419) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray יָדָה (yâdâh, H3034) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship… בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively)
Open source ↗שְׁכַנְיָה (Shᵉkanyâh, H7935) — Shekanjah, the name of nine Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְחִיאֵל (Yᵉchîyʼêl, H3171) — Jechiel (or Jechavel), the name of eight Israelites עֵילָם (ʻÊylâm, H5867) — Elam, a son of Shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six Israelites עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite מָעַל (mâʻal, H4603) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נׇכְרִי (nokrîy, H5237) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman יָלַד (yâlad, H3205) — to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show… עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) חָרֵד (chârêd, H2730) — fearful; also reverential מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) לִשְׁכָּה (lishkâh, H3957) — a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging) יְהוֹחָנָן (Yᵉhôwchânân, H3076) — Jehochanan, the name of eight Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶלְיָשִׁיב (ʼElyâshîyb, H475) — Eljashib, the name of six Israelites אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
Open source ↗עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גּוֹלָה (gôwlâh, H1473) — exile; concretely and collectively exiles קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עֵצָה (ʻêtsâh, H6098) — advice; by implication, plan; also prudence שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old רְכוּשׁ (rᵉkûwsh, H7399) — property (as gathered) חָרַם (châram, H2763) — to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction);… בָּדַל (bâdal, H914) — to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ,… קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) גּוֹלָה (gôwlâh, H1473) — exile; concretely and collectively exiles
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… תְּשִׁיעִי (tᵉshîyʻîy, H8671) — ninth חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… רְחֹב (rᵉchôb, H7339) — a width, i.e. (concretely) avenue or area בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Open source ↗עֶזְרָא (ʻEzrâʼ, H5830) — Ezra, an Israelite כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָעַל (mâʻal, H4603) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נׇכְרִי (nokrîy, H5237) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) אַשְׁמָה (ʼashmâh, H819) — guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of asin-offering יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) תּוֹדָה (tôwdâh, H8426) — properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration;… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רָצוֹן (râtsôwn, H7522) — delight (especially as shown) בָּדַל (bâdal, H914) — to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נׇכְרִי (nokrîy, H5237) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman
Open source ↗קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗אֲבָל (ʼăbâl, H61) — nay, i.e. truly or yet עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. גֶּשֶׁם (geshem, H1653) — a shower כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) פָּשַׁע (pâshaʻ, H6586) — to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel
Open source ↗שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) קָהָל (qâhâl, H6951) — assemblage (usually concretely) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… נׇכְרִי (nokrîy, H5237) — strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זָמַן (zâman, H2163) — to fix (a time) עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… חָרוֹן (chârôwn, H2740) — a burning of anger אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain—
My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.
I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all of them, “This day is holy to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the Law.
Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple you have built by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time.
‘If disaster comes upon us—whether sword or judgment, plague or famine—we will stand before this temple and before You, for Your Name is in this temple. We will cry out to You in our distress, and You will hear us and save us.’