Ezra 10: The covenant to put away the wives, and the list of names
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
While Ezra prays and weeps before God's house, a very great assembly of men, women, and children gathers to him, and Shecaniah says they have married foreign women and proposes a covenant to put away all the wives and those born of them. Ezra makes the leaders swear, a proclamation calls all the exiles to Jerusalem within three days, and on the twentieth day of the ninth month they sit in the rain while Ezra tells them to make confession and to separate themselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women. The assembly agrees and asks for appointed times, four named men stand up against this (or: over this), men sit down on the first day of the tenth month to look into the matter, and the chapter ends with a list by name of those who had married foreign women.
Who is speaking?
No one in this chapter is God speaking, so no verse is in gold. Here Ezra is told about in the third person ("Ezra arose"), no longer as "I". Shecaniah speaks to Ezra in verses 2 to 4. Ezra speaks to the people in verses 10 and 11. The whole assembly answers in verses 12 to 14. The rest is the narrator's words, and verses 18 to 44 are mostly a list of names. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before God’s house, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very bitterly.
In plain English: While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and throwing himself down before God's house, a very great assembly gathered to him out of Israel, men, women, and children. For the people wept very bitterly (literally: wept with great weeping).
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.
In plain English: Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said to Ezra, "We have trespassed against our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land. But now there is hope for Israel about this.
The Hebrew words: "Foreign women" is nokriyyot, the women form of nokri, which the dictionary gives as "strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)". The verse says they are foreign women "from the peoples of the land".
How it is translated: Nokri is in 7 verses of Ezra (10:2, 10:10, 10:11, 10:14, 10:17, 10:18 and 10:44), and the WEB says "foreign" in all 7.
The Hebrew word: "Have married" is yashab, which the dictionary gives as "properly, to sit down", then "to dwell", "to settle" and "to marry".
How it is translated: The word is in 12 verses of Ezra. The WEB says "married" in 5 of them and "sat" in 4. In the other 3 it says neither.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3Now therefore let’s make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and those who are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the law.
In plain English: So now, let us make a covenant with our God to put away (literally: bring out) all the wives and those born from them, by the counsel of my lord (or: the Lord) and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God. Let it be done according to the law.
The Hebrew word: "My lord" is written adonai. The dictionary gives adon as "sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)", and Adonai as "the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)".
How it is translated: The WEB says "my lord". The word-by-word meaning in the STEPBible data is "the Lord". The verse is Shecaniah speaking to Ezra.
What changes: With "my lord" the counsel is the counsel of a man Shecaniah calls "my lord" (the verse does not name him), together with those who tremble at the commandment. With "the Lord" it is God's counsel. The Hebrew allows both and the verse does not choose.
The Hebrew word: "Put away" is yatsa, which the dictionary gives as "to go (causatively, bring) out". Here it is the bringing out.
How it is translated: The word is in 5 verses of Ezra, and the WEB says "put away" in 2 of them, here and in . In it is "brought out" for the vessels.
What changes: "Put away" and "bring out" are two English ways of saying the one Hebrew word. The verse says all the wives and those born from them, and does not say where they go.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4Arise, for the matter belongs to you and we are with you. Be courageous, and do it.”
In plain English: Get up, for the matter is on you, and we are with you. Be strong and act."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5Then Ezra arose, and made the chiefs of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel to swear that they would do according to this word. So they swore.
In plain English: Then Ezra got up and made the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear to do according to this word. And they swore.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6Then Ezra rose up from before God’s house, and went into the room of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib. When he came there, he didn’t eat bread or drink water, for he mourned because of the trespass of the exiles.
In plain English: Then Ezra got up from before God's house and went into the room of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib. He went there, and he did not eat food or drink water, for he was mourning over the trespass of the exiles.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7They made a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together to Jerusalem;
In plain English: They sent a proclamation (literally: made a voice pass) through Judah and Jerusalem to all the children of the exile, to gather in Jerusalem,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8and that whoever didn’t come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his possessions should be forfeited, and he himself separated from the assembly of the captivity.
In plain English: and that whoever did not come within three days, by the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his property would be forfeited, and he himself would be separated from the assembly of the exiles.
The Hebrew word: "Forfeited" is charam, which the dictionary gives as "to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction)". It is in this verse only in Ezra, and the WEB says "forfeited".
What changes: With the dictionary's "devote", the verse says his property would be devoted (set apart under a ban). The verse does not say to whom it would go or what it would be used for.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together to Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the wide place in front of God’s house, trembling because of this matter, and because of the great rain.
In plain English: Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month. All the people sat in the open place in front of God's house, trembling because of this matter and because of the rain (literally: the rains).
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have trespassed, and have married foreign women, increasing the guilt of Israel.
In plain English: Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, "You have trespassed and have married foreign women, adding to the guilt of Israel.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11Now therefore make confession to Yahweh, the God of your fathers and do his pleasure. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women.”
In plain English: So now, make confession (or: give praise) to Yahweh, the God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign women."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, “We must do as you have said concerning us.
In plain English: Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice and said, "We must do as you have said about us.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand outside. This is not a work of one day or two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter.
In plain English: But the people are many, and it is a time of rains, and we are not able to stand outside. And the work is not for one day or two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
14Now let our princes be appointed for all the assembly, and let all those who are in our cities who have married foreign women come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city and its judges, until the fierce wrath of our God is turned from us, until this matter is resolved.”
In plain English: Now let our princes stand (or: be appointed) for all the assembly. And let everyone in our cities who has married foreign women come at appointed times, and with them the elders of each city and its judges, until the fierce anger of our God is turned from us, until this matter is resolved."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this; and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
In plain English: Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this (or: stood over this). Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
The Hebrew words: "Stood up against this" is amad al zot. Amad is "to stand". Al is given by the dictionary as "above, over, upon, or against".
How it is translated: Al is in 43 verses of Ezra. The WEB says "on" in 12 of them and "against" in 5. Here it says "against".
What changes: With "against" the verse says Jonathan and Jahzeiah stood up against this. With "over" or "on" it says they stood up over this matter, and the verse does not say which. Meshullam and Shabbethai "helped them" either way.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16The children of the captivity did so. Ezra the priest, with certain heads of fathers’ households, after their fathers’ houses, and all of them by their names, were set apart; and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
In plain English: The children of the exile did so. Ezra the priest, with men who were heads of fathers' households, by their fathers' houses, all of them by name, were set apart (or: separated themselves). And they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to look into the matter.
The Hebrew word: "Were set apart" is badal, which the dictionary gives as "to divide ... separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.". It is the same word as "separated" in and , and "separate yourselves" in .
How it is translated: The word is in 6 verses of Ezra. The WEB says "separate" in 4 of them and "set apart" in 2, here and in . The WEB's "were set apart" could also be read "separated themselves", as the Hebrew word is the same.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17They finished with all the men who had married foreign women by the first day of the first month.
In plain English: They finished with all the men who had married foreign women by the first day of the first month.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18Among the sons of the priests there were found who had married foreign women: of the sons of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.
In plain English: Among the sons of the priests, these were found who had married foreign women: of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19They gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
In plain English: They gave their hand to put away (literally: bring out) their wives. And being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
The Hebrew word: "Guilt" is ashmah, which the dictionary gives as "guiltiness" and "a fault", and also an offering for sin.
How it is translated: The word is in 6 verses of Ezra, and the WEB says "guilt" or "guiltiness" in all 6.
What changes: With "guilt" the ram is offered for their fault. With the dictionary's other meaning, the ram is itself the offering for sin. The verse says only "a ram of the flock" and does not choose.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20Of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah.
In plain English: Of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21Of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah.
In plain English: Of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22Of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
In plain English: Of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (also called Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
In plain English: Of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
Good to know: The text itself says that Kelaiah is also called Kelita. The verse gives no meaning for either name.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
24Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.
In plain English: Of the singers: Eliashib. Of the gatekeepers (or: porters): Shallum, Telem, and Uri.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
25Of Israel: Of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah.
In plain English: Of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
26Of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.
In plain English: Of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
27Of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza.
In plain English: Of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
28Of the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
In plain English: Of the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
29Of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
In plain English: Of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
30Of the sons of Pahathmoab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.
In plain English: Of the sons of Pahathmoab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
31Of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
In plain English: Of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
32Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
In plain English: Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
33Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
In plain English: Of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
34Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel,
In plain English: Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
35Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,
In plain English: Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
36Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
In plain English: Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
37Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu,
In plain English: Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
38Bani, Binnui, Shimei,
In plain English: Bani, Binnui, Shimei,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
39Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah,
In plain English: Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
40Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
In plain English: Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
41Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
In plain English: Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
42Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
In plain English: Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
43Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Iddo, Joel, and Benaiah.
In plain English: Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Iddo, Joel, and Benaiah.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
44All these had taken foreign wives. Some of them had wives by whom they had children.
In plain English: All these had taken foreign wives. Some of them had wives by whom they had children (the Hebrew is short: literally, "and some of them had wives, and they put sons").
The Hebrew words: The last clause is short. The Hebrew says "and there are some of them wives, and they put sons". The word for "put" is sum, which the dictionary gives as "to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)".
How it is translated: Sum is in 2 verses of Ezra. The WEB says "had children" here. The word for "sons" is the one the WEB also says "children" for.
What changes: The WEB reads the clause as some of the men having wives by whom they had children. The Hebrew is short, so the verse does not say whose children they are or what happened to them. The chapter ends here.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.