Ezra 10

Vcr.l. i\ OW, when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled tmto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men, and women, and children:for the people wept very sore.] This prayer being made at the time of the evening sacrifice, (as we read before, chap. ix. 5.) when many assembled to worship God; and being uttered with great passion, and the highest expressions of grief and sorrow, it moved those very much who were present; especially to see such a person as Ezra, a priest of God, and a great ruler under the king of Persia, so dejected, full of fear, confusion, and astonishment: the report of which was presently carried through all Jerusalem, and, perhaps, to neighbouring places: which brought together a great number of people of all sorts, men, women, and children; who all made great lamentation, looking upon themselves as undcT the high displeasure of the Almighty. speedy in the business, lest they that propounded it should cool, or any thing occur to hinder it.: According to the counsel of the princes and the elders.], rlt was a great power which the king of Persia entrusted Ezra withal; which he managed very discreetly: for he would not make the following decree by his own sole authority, without the advice of the Sanhedriir; which is generally thought to be meant by the princes and elders, viz. the high court of Jerusalem;. for they that are here called princes, are ver. 14. called judges. All his substante should be forfeited.] In the Hebrew, devoted. Which signifies, that his goods were to be so forfeited, as to become sacred to God; and so incapable to be restored to the former owner, being put into the treasury of God’s house. And himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.] Excluded from their society, and all the benefits of their religion. (See chap. vii. 26.) This was a punishment inflicted by all nations on those who would not conform themselves to the laws; as Grotius observes, de Imperio Sum. Potest, circa Sacra, capl 9. p. 242. edit. Hagae, and Selden, de Synedr. lib. i. cap. 7. p. 14G, 147. 150. 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."] Sequestered themselves from all other business, to attend wholly to the issue of this. And sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.] I cannot imagine what it was that they were set apart to examine, unless it was whether the persons beforenamed did their duty: for it is likely they brought the names of those who were found guilty (which here follow) unto Ezra and these assessors; who examined whether they found more than these, and of what quality and condition they were.

Ezra 10:2

And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons ofElam, ansivcred and said unto Ezra. He seems to have been a good man, not being numbered among those that had trespassed; though several of his family were: even his own father, Jehicl, and several of his uncles, the sons of his grandfather Elam, (chap, v. 26.) 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 J] Ezra seemed to have given up all for gone, the more to awaken and affright them out of their sins; and therefore this person stands up to keep them from despair, and to propound a remedy, which he hoped would prove effectual. This he spake in the name ofthe Test; with the principal of which, perhaps, he had consulted.

Ezra 10:3

Noiv therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of tltem, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; andlet it be done according to the law J] That which was done contrary to the law of God was looked upon as null, and therefore these were accounted no marriages, and their children were no better than those we call bastards, and were not to be a part of the family, but to be put away with their mothers. St. Paul, indeed, allows the Corinthians to keep their pagan wives or husbands, because they had them before th£y were Christians; and there was no law of God or man against their marriages, as there was here a very strict law of God forbidding them. It may seem hard, indeed, that the children should be put away as well as their mothers; but they were unlawfully born, and must follow the condition of their mothers, and being educated in superstition, might corrupt othcT children: and therefore it was unlawful hereafter to marry with the children of these women, for they were reputed unclean, though their fathers were Israelites. Thus Maimonides reports the sense of the law to be/ “A son begot of a gentile by an Israelite, is not to be accounted a son.” If a son, indeed, were begot by a gentile of an Israclitish woman, the child was accounted an Israelite, foT partus sequitxir ventrem. But a child was of the same condition with his mother, and no regard was had to the father at all: so that if a child was begot by an Israelite, of a woman that was a slave, the child was a slavQ; but if, on the contrary, a woman of Israel had a child by one that was a slave, the child was as free as any other Israelite. (See Selden, in the place abovementioned, p. 616.) But it is likely, when they put away these wives and children, they made some provision for them; for all was to be done according to the counsel of Ezra, and other good men, who feared God, and trembled to think his commandment was broke, and ther forejudged they should be put away: but they prescribed the manner of it, how it should be done; which, it is probable, was not without some consideration of them.

Ezra 10:4

Arise. For he lay prostrate upon the ground, (ver.l.) For this matter belongeth unto thee.] Who had the greatest skill in the law, and a full power from the king of Persia to see every thing done according unto it, (chap. vii. 14.) Now the renewing of the covenant for the observation of the law was to be done by the authority of the sovereign, as wo see by the examples of Asa, Hczekiah, and Josiah: and therefore it is a great mistake (as Mr. Thorndike observes) to imagine the people could renew it, or any part of it, “without the consent of the sovereign. From whence we may conclude, that Ezra having such a commission as is mentioned chap. vii. was established by the sovereign power, with an authority to execute the law against all transgressors. We also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.] He promises his assistance, and the assistance of the principal persons: which might give him confidence of success.

Ezra 10:5

Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel. All that were then present. To siuear, that they should do according to this word: and they sivare.] He admonished them of their duty in the name of God, and then persuaded them to take a solemn oath (as they did) to put away their strange wives and children. For the commission given to’Ezra supposing a full leave to the people to live according to the law, enabled him to govern them by it, yea, to swear them to observe it; for he might do whatsoever he found necessary to keep them in obedience. *

Ezra 10:6

Then Ezra rose up frombefore thehouse of God. This seems to signify, that he made them swear before he would rise up; that they, seeing his great humiliation before God, in the most doleful condition, might be moved to a more forward compliance. And went into the chamber ofJohanan the son ofElia* shib.] That he might there consult with the princes and elders (ver. 8.) how to put this counsel in execution. This Eliashib was the high-priest who succeeded Joiakim, who succeeded Jeshua; who living a long time, his son Joiakim enjoyed the priesthood but a few years: and Eliashib lasted not long, but seems to have been dead (as Dr. Alix thinks) a little after the twentieth year of Artaxerxcs Mncmon. (See Nehem. xii. 10.) And when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water.] The word when is not in the Hebrew; therefore it had better be translated, till he came thither he had eaten nothing. For he mounted because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.] And in time of mourning and sorrow they were wont to fast.

Ezra 10:7

And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem. This proclamation was issued forth by the counsel of the princes and elders mentioned in the next verse.

Ezra 10:8

And that whosoever would not come tvithin three days. This was a short time; but they were resolved to bo

Ezra 10:9

Then all the men ofJudah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. And all they of other tribes complied also with this proclamation, as appears from ver. 25. but these are alone mentioned, because they were the chief, and the others were mixed with thein. It tvas the ninth month, and the twentieth day of the month.] About a quarter of a year after Ezra and his company came to Jerusalem. And all the people sat in the street of the house of God.] Some take this to be the street which led to the temple; but it was rather the court of the people where they worshipped; which lying open, and not being yetlgirt txbopt with a wall, (as we may guess from JSTehem. ii. 8.) is called a street. Trembling because of this matter.] The offence they had committed against God, and the consequence thereof.. And for the great rain.] Which they took as a token of God’s anger against them, because of their sin.

Ezra 10:10

And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. When they should have been bewailing their former sins, which east them out of their land, they added new transgressions when they were restored, to it.

Ezra 10:11

Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure. Confession of sin alone, without obedience to God’s will and entire submission to him, is insufficient to reconciliation with him. And separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.] There being no mention here made of their children, but only of their wives, it hath made some.think that they kept their children, and by circumcision dedicated them to God, teaching them to renounce the infidelity of their mothers. For though Shechaniah propounded the putting away the children also, (ver. 3.) yet it may be thought that Ezra, to whom the matter was referred, mitigated the severity of it; because we do not read any thing K of them, but only of the wives, when he came to order what should be done..,, „

Ezra 10:12

Then all the congregation answered, and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. They saw no other remedy, and therefore submitted td what he required, as the pleasure of God.;•. i,-….

Ezra 10:13

But the people are many, and it is a time oj much rain, and we are not able to stand ivithout, neither is this a tvork of one day or two: for we have many that have transgressed An this thing.] They give very good reasons why for the present they should be dismissed, and more time taken to make inquisition after all the offenders, and examine them: and to shew they really desired the thing should be done, thfey propound a method, in the next verse, for the management of it.

Ezra 10:14

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.] They would have the great council at Jerusalem settled (for that is meant by let the rulers of all the congregation stand), and be ready to take cognizance of this matter; set days being appointed for the offenders in every city to be brought before them, by the elders and judges of those cities (that is, some dele? gates from the senate of that place), who should testify that they had seen the divorces made from their strange wives; for they were best able to know the circumstances of every persop, and all his actions. And this they would have to continue, as long as there remained any thing to be done in this business; that the anger of God might be turned away from them. So De Dieu truly renders, I think, the last words of this verse: How elders and judges differ, is a dispute among learned men. Sometimes they signify. the same; but when they are mentioned together, it is reasonable to think their powers were distinct. And Campegius Vitringa seems to me to have given a good account of them; that by elders are meant the supreme senate in every city, who judged in all civil causes; and by judges (as distinct from the other) are meant judges of an inferior bench, by whom all money matters were tried. For though the senate might judge in all causes, yet it is reasonable to think they referred small matters to a lower court. This he gathers out of the Scripr tures, and shews it is conformable to the traditions of the Talmudists. (De Synagoga Veter. lib. ii. cap. 9. p/58: and see I/Empereur upon Bertram, de Repub. Jud. p. 395.)

Ezra 10:15

Only Jonathan the son of Asahel, and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah, were employed about this matter. These were two priests, who were chosen to see all things done according to the foregoing resolution: that is, to appoint the time when the men of each city should come to bring in their names, and to acquaint the great council that these were elders and judges of the cities, who had seen their orders executed. AndMeshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.] They were both of them Levites, as I take it, who were to assist the forenamed priests in so great a work.

Ezra 10:16

And the children of the captivity did so. They who came up out of Babylon to their own country are constantly called the children of the captivity; to put them in mind of their servitude, and of their freedom from it.

Ezra 10:17

And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month. Three months therefore were spent in this disquisition, which shews it was very exact.

Ezra 10:18

And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives; namely, of the sons of Jeshua, tlte son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.] No wonder the people broke the law, when so many of those who were supposed to understand it best (viz. the priests) gave them such a foul example of lust and levity (as Pellieanus speaks), yea, some of the sons of the high-priest; which made the example more pernicious. Which may be the reason, as he conjeetures,why Jeshua, the high-priest, was represented in a vision to Zechariah the prophet in filthy garments /because his family (sons and brethren) were defiled with this impurity. For, as Cicero saith, out of Plato, in a letter to Lentulus, " Tales plerumque cives reliqui esse solent, quales prineipes in civitate fuerint viri;” such the rest of the citizens are wont to be, as the great men in the city are..

Ezra 10:19

And they gave their Iiands that they would put away their wives. Solemnly engaged, by making a covenant, or by an oath, that they would do what was enjoined. (See Ezek. xvii. 18.) But it may be expounded simply, they put their hand to the business; that is, did it effectually, and actually put away their strange wives. And, being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.] More than that, they openly confessed their guilt, and made an offering for their offence; and hereby, perhaps, endeavoured to make some amends for their sin, by being the first that condemned themselves and reformed, and offered a trespass-offering: which, some think, all the ^Test made, after their example.

Ezra 10:20

And of the sons oflmmer; Hanani and Zebadiah. -".

Ezra 10:21

And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and SJiemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah. Ver. 22^ And of the sons ofPashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Jshmael, Nethaneet, Jozabad, and Elasah.] All these were priests, who were very deep in this guilt, and being public persons, led others fearlessly into it.

Ezra 10:23

Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer^ There were not so many Levites, as there were priests, iu the transgression.

Ezra 10:24

Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Talem, and UrL. Theso seem to have been more modest; there being but oac offender found among the singers, and but three among the porters.

Ezra 10:25

Moreover, of Israel: of the sons ofParosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Matchijah, and Benaiah. The Hebrews call all those Israel, who were not Levites, or dedicated to the service of the temple. Whence the court of Israel was that place wherein the men of Israel worshipped, as they w f ere distinguished from the priests and Levites. Ver. 2G. And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.] This Jehiel was Shechaniah’s father, ver. 2. And yet, notwithstanding, though his father and kindred were guilty of this crime, which Ezra bewailed, he did not stick to speak his mind, how it should be punished. An admirable example of zealous integrity!

Ezra 10:27

And of the sons of Zattu; Etioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, andJeremoth, andZabad, andAziza. The two former, Parosh and Elam, with this Zattu, and all that follow to ver. 32. were of the tribe of Judah.

Ezra 10:28

Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.

Ezra 10:29

And of the sons of Bant; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.

Ezra 10:30

And of the sons of Pahath-Moab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.

Ezra 10:31

And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijdh, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon.

Ezra 10:32

Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. Now follows an account of those of the other tribe.

Ezra 10:33

Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.

Ezra 10:34

Of the sons ofBani; Maadi, Amram, and UeL

Ezra 10:35

Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh. Ver. 3G. Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib.

Ezra 10:37

Mattaniah, Mattenai, andJaasau.

Ezra 10:38

And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei.

Ezra 10:39

And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah.

Ezra 10:40

Machnadebai, Sliashai, Sharai.

Ezra 10:41

Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah.

Ezra 10:42

Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.

Ezra 10:43

Of the sons ofNebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah. Some take Nebo for a place, of which the following families were citizens. But nothing of this is worth inquiring into.

Ezra 10:44

All these had taken strange wives. There is no great number of them, in comparison with all that returned from captivity: but they seem to have been eminent persons, who would have spread the contagion, if a stop had not been put to it. And some of them had wives by whom they had children.] There were some of them women that had brought them children, as the Vulgar translates it: which DeJDieu shews is the plainest translation of these words. Here was a fair occasion to have spoken of the putting away their children as well as their wives, if that motion had been prosecuted: but nothing being here said of it, it makes me think, the observation is true which 1 made ver. 11. (See there.)