Ezra 10
BSB1 While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well. 2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel. 3 So now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the Law. 4 Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we will support you. Be strong and take action!" 5 So Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said. And they took the oath. 6 Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib. And while he stayed there, he ate no food and drank no water, because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles. 7 And a proclamation was issued throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather at Jerusalem. 8 Whoever failed to appear within three days would forfeit all his property, according to the counsel of the leaders and elders, and would himself be expelled from the assembly of the exiles. 9 So within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled in Jerusalem, and on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God, trembling regarding this matter and because of the heavy rain. 10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to the guilt of Israel. 11 Now, therefore, make a confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from your foreign wives." 12 And the whole assembly responded in a loud voice: “Truly we must do as you say! 13 But there are many people here, and it is the rainy season. We are not able to stay out in the open. Nor is this the work of one or two days, for we have transgressed greatly in this matter. 14 Let our leaders represent the whole assembly. Then let everyone in our towns who has married a foreign woman come at an appointed time, together with the elders and judges of each town, until the fierce anger of our God in this matter is turned away from us." 15 (Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, opposed this plan.) 16 So the exiles did as proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, each of them identified by name, to represent their families. On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation, 17 and by the first day of the first month they had dealt with all the men who had married foreign women. 18 Among the descendants of the priests who had married foreign women were found these descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. 19 They pledged to send their wives away, and for their guilt they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering. 20 From the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah. 21 From the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah. 22 From the descendants of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah. 23 Among the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is, Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. 24 From the singers: Eliashib. From the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri. 25 And among the other Israelites, from the descendants of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah. 26 From the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah. 27 From the descendants of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. 28 From the descendants of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. 29 From the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth. 30 From the descendants of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh. 31 From the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. 33 From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. 34 From the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu. 38 From the descendants of Binnui: Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. 43 And from the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. 44 All these men had married foreign women, and some of them had children by these wives.
Study Notes — Ezra 10
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Ezra 10
- Themes from Ezra 10
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Ezra 10
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Ezra 10 begins with Ezra's prayer and confession of the Israelites' sin in Ezra 10:1. The people gather and agree to send away their foreign wives in Ezra 10:3. A list of those who had married foreign women is given in Ezra 10:18-44. The chapter concludes with the Israelites putting away their foreign wives and offering sacrifices to God in Ezra 10:19. This chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need for believers to separate from sin. The Israelites' actions demonstrate their commitment to following God's law and their desire to restore their relationship with Him.
Context for the Chapter
Ezra 10 is part of the post-exilic period in Israel's history, during which the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after their Babylonian exile. The chapter is a continuation of the events described in Ezra 9, in which Ezra prays and confesses the Israelites' sin. The chapter is also connected to the larger biblical narrative, as it highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need for believers to separate from sin. The events of Ezra 10 serve as a model for the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of repentance, obedience, and holiness.
Heart Application
The chapter's emphasis on the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need to separate from sin is relevant to the Christian life today. Believers are called to separate from sin and to pursue holiness, just as the Israelites did in Ezra 10. This requires a commitment to following God's law and to avoiding idolatry, and involves a willingness to repent and to obey God's commands.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Ezra 10 is about the Israelites' decision to send away their foreign wives and to commit to following God's commands. The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's law and the need for believers to separate from sin. As seen in Ezra 10:11, the Israelites are called to separate from the peoples of the land and from foreign wives, and to do God's will. This chapter serves as a model for the Christian life, highlighting the importance of repentance, obedience, and holiness.
Voices from the Church
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. The Israelites' decision to send away their foreign wives is an example of this, as they rose from their sin and committed to following God's commands.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The Israelites' experiences serve as examples for believers today, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need to separate from sin. As Calvin writes, 'The Lord has given us a rule of life, that we may know what is pleasing to Him.'”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Israelites' Confession of Sin (Ezra 10:1-5) — The chapter begins with Ezra's prayer and confession of the Israelites' sin, highlighting the importance of repentance and obedience to God's commands.
- The Decision to Send Away Foreign Wives (Ezra 10:6-17) — The Israelites gather and agree to send away their foreign wives, emphasizing the need to separate from sin and to pursue holiness.
- The List of Those Who Had Married Foreign Women (Ezra 10:18-44) — A list of those who had married foreign women is given, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience.
- The Israelites' Commitment to Follow God's Commands (Ezra 10:1-5) — The chapter concludes with the Israelites' commitment to follow God's commands and to separate from sin, serving as a model for the Christian life.
- The Importance of Obedience to God's Law (Ezra 10:11) — The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, highlighting the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness.
Core Doctrines
- Sanctification
- The chapter's emphasis on the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need to separate from sin is relevant to the Christian doctrine of sanctification. Believers are called to separate from sin and to pursue holiness, just as the Israelites did in Ezra 10.
- Repentance
- The chapter highlights the importance of repentance, as the Israelites gather to confess their sin and to commit to following God's commands. This serves as a model for the Christian life, emphasizing the need for believers to repent of their sin and to pursue holiness.
- Obedience to God's Law
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, highlighting the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. This is relevant to the Christian doctrine of obedience, which emphasizes the importance of following God's law and pursuing holiness.
- Separation from Sin
- The chapter's emphasis on the need to separate from sin is relevant to the Christian doctrine of separation. Believers are called to separate from sin and to pursue holiness, just as the Israelites did in Ezra 10.
Lessons from Ezra 10
- The Importance of Repentance — The chapter highlights the importance of repentance, as the Israelites gather to confess their sin and to commit to following God's commands. This serves as a model for the Christian life, emphasizing the need for believers to repent of their sin and to pursue holiness.
- The Need for Obedience to God's Law — The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, highlighting the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. This is relevant to the Christian doctrine of obedience, which emphasizes the importance of following God's law and pursuing holiness.
- The Consequences of Disobedience — The chapter highlights the consequences of the Israelites' disobedience, as they are led away from God by their pagan wives. This serves as a warning to believers today, emphasizing the importance of avoiding idolatry and pursuing holiness.
- The Importance of Separation from Sin — The chapter's emphasis on the need to separate from sin is relevant to the Christian doctrine of separation. Believers are called to separate from sin and to pursue holiness, just as the Israelites did in Ezra 10.
- The Role of Leadership in the Christian Life — Ezra's leadership is evident in the chapter, as he prays and confesses the Israelites' sin. His example serves as a model for Christian leaders today, highlighting the importance of humility and repentance.
Themes from Ezra 10
- Separation from Sin — The chapter's emphasis on the need to separate from sin is relevant to the Christian doctrine of separation. Believers are called to separate from sin and to pursue holiness, just as the Israelites did in Ezra 10.
- Obedience to God's Law — The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, highlighting the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. This is relevant to the Christian doctrine of obedience, which emphasizes the importance of following God's law and pursuing holiness.
- Repentance and Confession — The chapter highlights the importance of repentance, as the Israelites gather to confess their sin and to commit to following God's commands. This serves as a model for the Christian life, emphasizing the need for believers to repent of their sin and to pursue holiness.
- The Importance of Leadership — Ezra's leadership is evident in the chapter, as he prays and confesses the Israelites' sin. His example serves as a model for Christian leaders today, highlighting the importance of humility and repentance.
- The Consequences of Disobedience — The chapter highlights the consequences of the Israelites' disobedience, as they are led away from God by their pagan wives. This serves as a warning to believers today, emphasizing the importance of avoiding idolatry and pursuing holiness.
Questions for Meditation
- What is the main theme of Ezra 10, and how is it relevant to the Christian life?
- How does the chapter's emphasis on obedience to God's commands relate to the Christian doctrine of sanctification?
- What lessons can be learned from the Israelites' experiences in Ezra 10, and how can they be applied to the Christian life?
- How does the chapter's emphasis on separation from sin relate to the Christian doctrine of separation?
- What role does repentance play in the chapter, and how is it relevant to the Christian life?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Israelites' Confession of Sin (Ezra 10:1-5)
| Ezra 10:1 | The chapter begins with Ezra's prayer and confession of the Israelites' sin, highlighting the importance of repentance and obedience to God's commands. |
| Ezra 10:2 | Shecaniah, the son of Jehiel, speaks up and acknowledges the Israelites' sin, emphasizing the need for repentance and obedience to God's law. |
| Ezra 10:3 | The people agree to send away their foreign wives, highlighting the need to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:4 | Ezra is told to arise and to take action, emphasizing the importance of leadership and obedience to God's commands. |
| Ezra 10:5 | The Israelites gather and agree to send away their foreign wives, highlighting the importance of repentance and obedience to God's law. |
2. The Decision to Send Away Foreign Wives (Ezra 10:6-17)
| Ezra 10:6 | Ezra withdraws and mourns, highlighting the importance of repentance and obedience to God's commands. |
| Ezra 10:7 | A proclamation is made, calling the Israelites to gather in Jerusalem, emphasizing the need for believers to come together and to obey God's law. |
| Ezra 10:8 | Those who do not obey will be cut off, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the importance of obedience to God's commands. |
| Ezra 10:9 | The people gather, and Ezra speaks to them, emphasizing the importance of repentance and obedience to God's law. |
| Ezra 10:10 | Ezra confesses the Israelites' sin, highlighting the need for repentance and obedience to God's commands. |
| Ezra 10:11 | The people are told to separate from the peoples of the land and from foreign wives, emphasizing the need to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:12 | The people agree to send away their foreign wives, highlighting the importance of repentance and obedience to God's law. |
| Ezra 10:13 | The people ask for a plan, emphasizing the need for believers to come together and to obey God's law. |
| Ezra 10:14 | Judges are appointed, highlighting the importance of leadership and obedience to God's commands. |
| Ezra 10:15 | The Israelites gather, and the plan is implemented, emphasizing the importance of repentance and obedience to God's law. |
| Ezra 10:16 | The Israelites investigate and find those who have married foreign women, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:17 | The Israelites put away their foreign wives, emphasizing the need to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
3. The List of Those Who Had Married Foreign Women (Ezra 10:18-44)
| Ezra 10:18 | A list of those who had married foreign women is given, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:19 | The Israelites put away their foreign wives, emphasizing the need to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:20 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:21 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to come together and to obey God's law. |
| Ezra 10:22 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:23 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:24 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:25 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to come together and to obey God's law. |
| Ezra 10:26 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:27 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:28 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:29 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to come together and to obey God's law. |
| Ezra 10:30 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:31 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:32 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:33 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to come together and to obey God's law. |
| Ezra 10:34 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:35 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:36 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:37 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to come together and to obey God's law. |
| Ezra 10:38 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:39 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:40 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:41 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to come together and to obey God's law. |
| Ezra 10:42 | The list continues, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
| Ezra 10:43 | The list continues, emphasizing the need for believers to separate from sin and to pursue holiness. |
| Ezra 10:44 | The list concludes, highlighting the extent of the Israelites' sin and the need for repentance and obedience. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Ezra 10?
The main theme of Ezra 10 is the Israelites' decision to send away their foreign wives and to commit to following God's commands, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's law and the need for believers to separate from sin (Ezra 10:11).
Why did the Israelites need to send away their foreign wives?
The Israelites needed to send away their foreign wives because they were leading them away from God and causing them to sin (Ezra 10:2-3).
What lessons can be learned from the Israelites' experiences in Ezra 10?
The Israelites' experiences in Ezra 10 serve as a model for the Christian life, highlighting the importance of repentance, obedience, and holiness (Ezra 10:1-5, Ezra 10:11).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 10:1 → Nehemiah 1:1 | The events of Ezra 10 are connected to the events of Nehemiah 1, which describes the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the restoration of the Israelites. |
| 2 | Ezra 10:2 → Deuteronomy 7:3-4 | The command to separate from the peoples of the land and from foreign wives is rooted in Deuteronomy 7:3-4, which prohibits the Israelites from intermarrying with the nations around them. |
| 3 | Ezra 10:3 → Joshua 23:12-13 | The Israelites' decision to send away their foreign wives is similar to the actions of the Israelites in Joshua 23:12-13, who were commanded to separate from the nations around them and to obey God's law. |
| 4 | Ezra 10:11 → Matthew 1:1 | The theme of separation from sin is relevant to the Christian life, as seen in Matthew 1:1, which describes Jesus' genealogy and emphasizes His role as the Messiah. |
| 5 | Ezra 10:1-5 → 1 Corinthians 10:11 | The Israelites' experiences in Ezra 10 serve as examples for believers today, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need to separate from sin (1 Corinthians 10:11). |
| 6 | Ezra 10:6-17 → Acts 5:1-11 | The theme of obedience to God's law is relevant to the Christian life, as seen in Acts 5:1-11, which describes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. |
| 7 | Ezra 10:18-44 → 1 Timothy 3:1-13 | The list of those who had married foreign women is similar to the list of qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3:1-13, which emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's law and the need for leaders to be above reproach. |
| 8 | Ezra 10:1-5 → Hebrews 13:4 | The theme of marriage and the importance of obedience to God's law is relevant to the Christian life, as seen in Hebrews 13:4, which emphasizes the importance of honoring marriage and keeping the marriage bed pure. |
| 9 | Ezra 10:11 → 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 | The command to separate from the peoples of the land and from foreign wives is similar to the command in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, which prohibits believers from being yoked with unbelievers and emphasizes the importance of separation from sin. |
| 10 | Ezra 10:1-5 → Revelation 18:1-8 | The theme of separation from sin is relevant to the Christian life, as seen in Revelation 18:1-8, which describes the fall of Babylon and the importance of separating from sin and pursuing holiness. |
Sermons on Ezra 10
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Revival in the Bible by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the low spiritual level of the people in Jerusalem upon the return of Ezra and Nehemiah. The conditions were worse than they had anticipated, |
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We've Forgotten How to Blush by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the state of God's people in Israel during a time of rebellion and turning away from the truth. He references Jeremiah 5:1-3, where God chall |
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Revival Conference Victoria 2010 by Edgar Reich | This sermon emphasizes the importance of personal revival as a precursor to seeking revival for others. Drawing from the example of Ezra in the Bible, it highlights the need for co |
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Israel's Unfaithfulness by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith addresses the issue of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. He begins by expressing his frustration and lack of words in response to their repeated di |
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The Person God Esteems by Richard Ganz | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the poor widow who gave everything she had as an offering to God. He emphasizes the contrast between her sacrificial giving and |
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Break Up Your Fallow Ground by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of preparing our hearts to receive from God, likening it to breaking up fallow ground for planting. It discusses the need to remove sin and di |
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(Through the Bible) 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra by Zac Poonen | The sermon covers the journey of the children of Israel from Babylon back to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity, focusing on the building of the temple and the challenges faced. |
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We Also Will Be With Thee: Be of Good by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of courage and collective support in the face of challenges, drawing parallels to the story of Achan and the need for confession before communi |
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Bible Survey - Malachi by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the Book of Malachi, the last Book of the Old Testament, which serves as a bridge to the New Testament. Malachi, God's messenger, delivers the last Word o |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Ezra 10
Matthew Henry's commentary on Ezra 10 emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands and the need for believers to separate from sin. Henry notes that the Israelites' decision to send away their foreign wives was a difficult but necessary step, as it was required by God's law. He also emphasizes the importance of repentance and the need for believers to confess their sin and to commit to following God's commands. As Henry writes, 'The Lord has given us a rule of life, that we may know what is pleasing to Him.' The chapter serves as a model for the Christian life, highlighting the importance of repentance, obedience, and holiness (Ezra 10:1-5, Ezra 10:11). Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Importance of Leadership
Ezra's leadership is evident in the chapter, as he prays and confesses the Israelites' sin. His example serves as a model for Christian leaders today, highlighting the importance of humility and repentance.
The Need for Repentance
The chapter emphasizes the need for the Israelites to repent of their sin and to commit to following God's commands. This serves as a call to action for believers today, highlighting the importance of repentance and obedience to God's law.
The Consequences of Disobedience
The chapter highlights the consequences of the Israelites' disobedience, as they are led away from God by their pagan wives. This serves as a warning to believers today, emphasizing the importance of avoiding idolatry and pursuing holiness.