Bible Commentaries
Ezra 10

Introduction

Overview

Ezra 10:1, Ezra encouraged to reform the strange marriages; Ezra 10:6, Ezra assembles the people; Ezra 10:9, The people repent, and promise amendment; Ezra 10:15, The care to perform it; Ezra 10:18, The names of them which had married strange wives.

Verse 1

when Ezra: Daniel 9:3, Daniel 9:4, Daniel 9:20, Acts 10:30

when he had: Leviticus 26:40, Leviticus 26:41, Psalms 32:5, Hosea 14:2, 1 John 1:8-10

weeping: Psalms 119:136, Jeremiah 9:1, Jeremiah 13:17, Zechariah 12:10, Luke 19:41, Romans 9:2

before the house: 1 Kings 8:30, 1 Kings 9:3, 2 Chronicles 20:9

a very great: Deuteronomy 31:12, 2 Chronicles 20:13, Nehemiah 10:28, Joel 2:16-18, Acts 21:5

very sore: Heb. a great weeping, Judges 2:4, Judges 2:5, Nehemiah 8:9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:21 - confess over Joshua 8:35 - women 1 Samuel 30:4 - lifted up 2 Kings 22:19 - wept Nehemiah 1:4 - I sat down Nehemiah 13:8 - it grieved Isaiah 38:3 - wept Luke 7:38 - weeping Acts 5:14 - multitudes Acts 20:37 - wept 1 Corinthians 5:2 - mourned 1 Corinthians 12:21 - General 2 Corinthians 12:21 - that I

Verse 2

Shechaniah: Ezra 10:26, Nehemiah 3:29

Elam: Ezra 2:7, Ezra 2:31, Nehemiah 7:12, Nehemiah 7:34

We have trespassed: Shechaniah here speaks in the name of the people, not acknowledging himself culpable; for he is not in the following list., Compare, James 2:9, Exodus 34:12, Nehemiah 13:27

yet now there is hope: Exodus 34:6, Exodus 34:7, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 3:13, 1 John 1:7-9

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:24 - General Leviticus 5:19 - trespassed 1 Kings 11:2 - Ye shall not go in Nehemiah 2:17 - come Proverbs 27:9 - so Malachi 2:10 - by Malachi 2:11 - and hath Acts 27:22 - I exhort 1 Corinthians 7:12 - If

Verse 3

let us make: Nichrath berith, "let us cut a covenant:" Deuteronomy 29:12, Joshua 9:6, 2 Kings 11:17, 2 Chronicles 29:10, 2 Chronicles 34:31, 2 Chronicles 34:32, Nehemiah 9:38, Nehemiah 10:29-39

put away: Heb. bring forth

according to the counsel: 2 Chronicles 30:12

of those that: Ezra 9:4, 2 Chronicles 34:21, 2 Chronicles 34:27, Psalms 119:59, Psalms 119:120, Isaiah 66:2, Ezekiel 9:4

at the commandment: Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 7:3, Joshua 23:12, Joshua 23:13

let it: Nehemiah 8:14, Nehemiah 13:1-3, Isaiah 8:20, Shechaniah's counsel, which he was then so clear in, will not hold now: such marriages, it is certain, are contrary to the will of God, and ought not to be made; but they are not null. Our rule under the gospel is Quod fieri non debuit, factum valet, "That which ought not to have been done must, when done, abide." See note on 1 Corinthians 7:12, 1 Corinthians 7:13

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 23:3 - made a covenant 2 Chronicles 23:16 - made a covenant Ezra 10:5 - made Ezra 10:12 - so must we do Proverbs 13:13 - he Malachi 2:10 - by Acts 24:25 - Felix Philippians 2:12 - with

Verse 4

Arise: Joshua 7:10-26, 1 Chronicles 22:16, 1 Chronicles 22:19, Ecclesiastes 9:10

for this matter: By the decree of Artaxerxes, Ezra was authorised to do every thing that the law of God required. Ezra 7:23-28, Mark 13:34

we also will: Joshua 1:16-18, 1 Chronicles 28:10, 1 Chronicles 28:21

be of good: Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 35:4, Hebrews 10:24, Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:1 - Why do ye Exodus 14:15 - General Joshua 1:18 - only be 1 Chronicles 19:13 - of good Ezra 10:12 - so must we do

Verse 5

arose: Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 15:23, Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 25:12, Proverbs 27:9

made: Ezra 10:3, Nehemiah 5:12, Nehemiah 10:29, Nehemiah 13:25, Matthew 26:63

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:15 - General Exodus 18:24 - General Matthew 2:4 - the chief

Verse 6

the chamber: Nehemiah 13:5

Johanan: Nehemiah 3:1, Nehemiah 3:20, Nehemiah 12:10, Nehemiah 12:22, Nehemiah 13:28

he did eat: Deuteronomy 9:18, Job 23:12, John 4:31-34

he mourned: Ezra 9:4, Isaiah 22:12, Daniel 9:3

Reciprocal: Numbers 25:6 - weeping Psalms 102:4 - so that Psalms 119:53 - horror Isaiah 58:5 - it such

Verse 7

they made: Ezra 1:1, 2 Chronicles 30:5

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded Ezra 4:1 - children of the captivity Daniel 5:13 - the children

Verse 8

And that whosoever: Ezra 7:26, Judges 21:5, 1 Samuel 11:7

forfeited: Heb. devoted, Leviticus 27:28, Joshua 6:19

himself separated: Nehemiah 13:3, Matthew 18:17, John 9:22, John 9:34, John 16:2, 1 Corinthians 5:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:21 - devoted Deuteronomy 17:12 - will do Joshua 6:17 - accursed Ezra 9:1 - the princes

Verse 9

the ninth month: That is, some time in December, which is the coldest and most rainy time of the year in Palestine. Dr. Russel, in his account of the weather at Aleppo, which very much resembles that in Judea, says, that the natives reckon the severity of the winter, which they call marbania, to last but forty days, beginning from the 12th of December, and ending the 20th of January, and that this computation comes in fact very near the truth, and that the air during this time is excessively piercing, even to those that are just come from a cold climate. Ezra 7:8, Ezra 7:9, Esther 2:16

trembling: 1 Samuel 12:17, 1 Samuel 12:18, Jeremiah 10:10, Jeremiah 10:13

great rain: Heb. showers

Reciprocal: Exodus 1:1 - General 2 Chronicles 32:6 - in the street Job 37:6 - great Job 37:13 - whether Acts 24:25 - Felix Acts 28:2 - because 2 Corinthians 7:15 - with

Verse 10

taken: Heb. caused to dwell, or, brought back

to increase: Ezra 9:6, Numbers 32:14, Joshua 22:17, Joshua 22:18, 2 Chronicles 28:13, Matthew 23:32

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:19 - make Ezra 9:1 - have not separated Nehemiah 10:30 - General Nehemiah 13:23 - married Jeremiah 5:6 - because 2 Timothy 2:16 - for

Verse 11

make confession: Leviticus 26:40-42, Joshua 7:19, Psalms 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, Jeremiah 3:13, 1 John 1:7-9

do his: Isaiah 1:16-18, Isaiah 56:4, Romans 12:2, Colossians 1:10, Hebrews 13:21

separate: Ezra 9:1, Nehemiah 13:3, 2 Corinthians 6:17

and from the: Deuteronomy 7:3, Deuteronomy 7:4, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:5 - confess 2 Chronicles 30:22 - and making Nehemiah 1:6 - confess Nehemiah 9:2 - the seed Nehemiah 10:28 - all they 1 Corinthians 7:12 - If

Verse 12

As thou hast said: They all resolved to do what Ezra had commanded; and they did put away their wives, even those by whom they had children - Ezra 10:44, each of whom doubtless received a portion according to the circumstances of her husband, and was not turned away desolate. Humanity must have dictated this, and no law of God is contrary to humanity.

so must we do: Ezra 10:3, Ezra 10:4, Nehemiah 13:23, Psalms 78:37, Psalms 78:57

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:5 - confess Nehemiah 5:12 - We will restore

Verse 13

the people: Ezra 10:18-44, Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:14

we are many that have transgressed in this thing: or, we have greatly offended in this thing

Reciprocal: Job 37:6 - great

Verse 14

our rulers: Deuteronomy 17:9, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 17:19, 2 Chronicles 19:5-7

the fierce: Numbers 25:4, Deuteronomy 13:17, Joshua 7:26, 2 Chronicles 29:10, 2 Chronicles 30:8, Psalms 78:38, Isaiah 12:1

for this matter be turned from us: or, be turned from us, till this matter be dispatched.

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:12 - Turn from 2 Chronicles 28:11 - the fierce

Verse 15

were employed: Heb. stood

Meshullam: Nehemiah 3:6, Nehemiah 10:20, Nehemiah 12:33

Shabbethai: Nehemiah 11:16

Verse 16

to examine the matter: Deuteronomy 13:14, Job 29:16, John 7:51

Reciprocal: Ezra 4:1 - children of the captivity Daniel 5:13 - the children

Verse 17

am 3548, bc 456

the first day: The cases brought before the council were either so many, or so complicated, that, though they separated themselves from other employments, yet they were three whole months in examining into their affairs, and making the necessary separations required by the law. Ezra 10:17

Verse 18

the sons: Ezra 9:1, Leviticus 21:7, Leviticus 21:13-15, 1 Samuel 2:22-24, Nehemiah 13:28, Jeremiah 23:11, Jeremiah 23:14, Ezekiel 44:22, Malachi 2:8, Malachi 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:11

Jeshua: Ezra 2:2, Ezra 3:2, Ezra 5:2, 1 Chronicles 6:14, 1 Chronicles 6:15, Nehemiah 12:10, Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 3:1, Joshua

Maaseiah: Nehemiah 8:4, Nehemiah 8:7

Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:6 - for himself Ezra 9:2 - taken of their Ezra 10:13 - the people Ezra 10:25 - Moreover of Israel Malachi 2:12 - the master and the scholar

Verse 19

gave their hands: They bound themselves in the most solemn manner to do as the rest of the delinquents had done, and make and acknowledgment to God of their iniquity, by offering each a ram for a trespass offering. 2 Kings 10:15, 1 Chronicles 29:24, 2 Chronicles 30:8, *marg. Lamentations 5:6, Galatians 2:9

a ram: Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 5:16, Leviticus 6:4, Leviticus 6:6

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:13 - and are guilty Leviticus 9:3 - Take ye Leviticus 16:6 - for himself Malachi 2:12 - the master and the scholar 2 Corinthians 6:14 - unequally

Verse 20

Immer: Ezra 2:37, 1 Chronicles 24:14, Nehemiah 7:40

Verse 21

Harim: Ezra 2:39, 1 Chronicles 24:8, Nehemiah 7:42

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:16 - Shemaiah Nehemiah 10:8 - Shemaiah

Verse 22

Pashur: Ezra 2:38, 1 Chronicles 9:12, Nehemiah 7:41

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:39 - General Nehemiah 8:7 - Maaseiah

Verse 23

Jozabad: Ezra 8:33, Nehemiah 11:16

Kelita: Nehemiah 10:10

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:25 - Moreover of Israel Nehemiah 8:7 - Kelita

Verse 24

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:25 - Moreover of Israel

Verse 25

Moreover of Israel: That is, as Calmet observes, simple Israelites; thus distinguished from the priests, Levites, and singers, mentioned in Ezra 10:18, Ezra 10:23, Ezra 10:24.

sons of Parosh: Ezra 2:3, Nehemiah 7:8

Verse 26

Elam: Ezra 10:2, Ezra 2:7, Ezra 2:31, Ezra 8:7, Nehemiah 7:12, Nehemiah 7:34

Jehiel: Ezra 10:2

Verse 27

Zattu: Ezra 2:8, Nehemiah 7:13

Verse 28

Bebai: Ezra 2:11, Ezra 8:11, Nehemiah 7:16

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 7:31 - Michmas Nehemiah 10:15 - Azgad

Verse 29

Bani: Ezra 2:10, Nehemiah 7:15, Binnui

Malluch: Nehemiah 10:4

Reciprocal: Ezra 10:34 - Bani Nehemiah 8:4 - Meshullam

Verse 30

Pahathmoab: Ezra 2:6, Ezra 8:4, Nehemiah 7:11

Verse 31

Harim: Ezra 2:32, Nehemiah 7:35

Malchiah: This variation only exists in the translation, the original being uniformly Malchijah, or rather, Malkeeyah. Nehemiah 3:11, Malchijah

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 6:10 - Shemaiah Nehemiah 7:42 - Harim

Verse 33

Hashum: Ezra 2:19, Nehemiah 7:22

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 8:4 - Hashum

Verse 34

Bani: Ezra 10:29

Reciprocal: Ezra 2:10 - Bani

Verse 39

Reciprocal: Ezra 8:16 - Nathan

Verse 40

Machnadebai: or, Mabnadebai, according to some copies

Verse 43

Nebo: Ezra 2:29, Nehemiah 7:33

Verse 44

strange wives: Proverbs 2:16, Proverbs 5:3, Proverbs 5:20

and some of them: This observation was probably intended to shew that only a few of them had children, and also how rigorously the law was put in execution. According to a passage in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho, a Jew, Ezra offered a paschal lamb on this occasion, and addressed the people thus: "And Ezra said to the people, This pass-over is our Saviour and our Refuge; and if ye will be persuaded of it, and let it enter into your hearts, that we are to humble to Him in a sign, and afterwards shall believe in Him, this place shall not be destroyed forever, saith the Lord of hosts; but, if ye will not believe in Him, nor hearken to his preaching, ye shall be a laughing-stock to the Gentiles." This was probably a marginal note added by some early Christian.

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:1 - Ezra Ezra 10:12 - As thou hast said Nehemiah 13:23 - married