The People Confess Their Sin

The People Confess Their Sin

Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. Ezr. 10:1

when Ezra had... Note the change from first to third person. Such changes are common. See Isa. 6:5-8; 7:3; 37:6; Jer. 20:1-6 with Jer. 20:7; 21:1 with Jer. 28:1, 28:5.

there assembled unto... Many people acknowledged that something had to be done about the situation. Apparently this sin had gone on and had been tolerated for some time. Children were born to some of those who had intermarried (Ezr. 10:3, 10:44). No doubt some devout Jews were grieved because of this sin in the community. Perhaps they were afraid to speak up or had tried and were rebuffed.

For the people... In any case, now that some of the leaders were joining Ezra in bemoaning the sin, these righteous people joined in the mourning and began to demand that something be done. A large crowd of Israelites gathered with Ezra and wept bitterly.

And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, 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. Ezr. 10:2

And Shechaniah the... One man, Shechaniah, spoke for all the people who were weeping. He acknowledged the unfaithfulness of the nation but he felt that there was still hope for Israel. He suggested that the people covenant before… God to divorce the foreign women and send them away along with the children they had borne.

We have trespassed... Not that he had taken any himself, being but just come into the land. Nor is his name in the list of those that had; but inasmuch as many of the nation, of which he was a part, and his own father, and several of his uncles had (Ezra 10:26), he expresses himself in this manner.

yet now there... Of a reformation of this evil, and of pardon for it.

It appears that Shechaniah believed there was hope for the LORD to forgive them, because they had repentant hearts.

Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. Ezr. 10:3

make a covenant... Renew our covenant with him, and lay ourselves under fresh obligation by promise and oath, and unanimously agree;

to put away... This is the proposed covenant the Israelites wanted to make with God. It was made with:

1. The chief priests

2. The Levites

3. All Israel (Ezr. 10:5)

He means all the strange wives, such marriages being unlawful. And such wives might the more easily be put away, since bills of divorce were in frequent use with the Jews, and the children of such also being illegitimate. And the rather they were to be put away, lest they should corrupt other children, or get into the affections of their fathers, which might lead one to receive their mothers again, and especially this was to be done as a punishment of their sin. Though no doubt but a provision was to be made, and was made, for the maintenance both of wives and children.
according to the... Either of Ezra, whom he honors with this title, being a ruler under the king of Persia; or of the Lord God, according to his will declared in his words, which is his counsel.
and of those... Feared to break it, and dreaded the effect of such a breach. And who no doubt would follow the counsel of the Lord, and join in their advice to act according to the proposal made.
and let it... As that directs in such cases. He suggested that the people covenant before… God to divorce the foreign women and send them away along with the children they had borne. This was to be done according to the Law.
This would be a drastic move on their part, since some of these people had children by the heathen wives, or husbands they had. They were willing to make a covenant with God that they would divorce the wives that were not Hebrews, and even give up their children that were born of them.

Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it. Ezr. 10:4

be of good... It took great courage and grace to put away wives and children who were no doubt dearly loved. Evidently many heartaches and much suffering continued for years (Ezr. 10:3-5).

Arise... From the ground, where he lay prostrate.
for this matter... As a priest and scribe of the law, well versed in it, and therefore could direct what was to be done according to it. And as a ruler under the king of Persia, and a commissioner of his, to inquire whether the law of God was observed by the Jews (Ezra 7:14), and so had authority to put the law in execution.
we also will... To help and assist in the reformation of this evil.
be of good... Do not despair of going through it, though there may be some opposition to it. Begin, and doubt not of succeeding.
Ezra had already said to let judgment come upon those who would not obey God's law. This would be an effort to make things right. Ezra believed this might be enough repentance of what they had done, to keep the LORD from killing them.

Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware. Ezr. 10:5

Then arose Ezra... From the ground where he lay.

and made the... He took an oath of all that were present to do what was proposed, namely, to put away strange wives and their children.
And they sware... By means of which they were kept to their word of promise, an oath being a solemn, sacred thing.
The only way this would work, would be if everyone participated. Everyone including the priests, Levites, and the people had to swear they would all do this, to get back in right standing with God.

Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away. Ezr. 10:6

Then Ezra rose... Then—after praying in public before all Israel, and after the covenant was made to put away the foreign wives and their children, Ezra privately continued in prayer and fasting for the people who were going through heartache and suffering because of such a separation.

from before the... Departed from thence.

and went into... Who was of the family of the High Priest. Eliashib was grandson of Joshua the High Priest, and succeeded his father Joiakim as such. But though Johanan was never High Priest, being a younger son, however he was a person of note, and had a chamber in the temple, whither Ezra went. Either to advise with the princes and elders in it (Ezra 10:8), or to refresh himself with food.
and when he... Or rather "not yet had he ate bread", as some render it. That is, not till he came there, from the time he first heard of the evil the people had committed. Which very probably was early in the morning, and it was now evening.
for he mourned... Into captivity, but were now returned from it, and it grieved him the more, that, after such kindness shown them, they should be guilty of such an evil.
This fast was of a personal nature. He was not eating, because he was still grieving. Johanan was grandson of the High Priest and would assign a chamber to Ezra. This was a total fast.

And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem; Ezr. 10:7

they made proclamation... By the voice of a herald.

throughout Judah and... Who were returned from it.
that they should... Within a time after mentioned.
The divorcement of the heathen wives, husbands, and children had to be done throughout the land, so proclamation was sent for the people to gather in Jerusalem.

And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. Ezr. 10:8

within three days... Or at the end of three days, as Jarchi, this was the space of time allowed, and which was decided upon for the quick dispatch of this affair, to prevent any schemes that might be formed to obstruct it. And lest those who had agreed to it, and promised to assist in it, should repent and go from their word.
according to the... For though Ezra had a commission at large from the king of Persia, to inquire into and reform all abuses, he chose not to act of himself, but to have the opinion and consent of the senate of the nation. This he prudently did to avoid their envy, and that he might have less opposition, and better success.
all his substance... Or "devoted" to sacred uses, to be put into the treasury of the temple, and used in the service of it, and therefore never to be returned.
and himself separated... Into captivity, but now returned from it. That is, should be excommunicated from them as a church, and be no more reckoned of the body politic, or a freeman of Israel, and so deprived of all privileges both in church and state.
This left them no choice but to come. The furthest settlements from Jerusalem were no more than 40 miles, so it would be fairly easy for them to come within the three days allowed. The consequences were so great if they did not come, thy all came.

Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. Ezr. 10:9

Then all the...Then—after the urgent call for the assembling of all Israel, the men of all the tribes obeyed and held a convocation on the twentieth day of the ninth month (December), or about four and a half months after the coming of Ezra to Jerusalem with the second group of exiles (Ezr. 7:7-8; 8:31-33).

gathered themselves together... The time fixed: which they were the more careful to observe, since it was enjoined by the authority of princes and elders, and the punishment in case of disobedience very severe.
It was the... The month Chisleu, which answers to part of November and part of December, so that the twentieth day must be in the beginning of December. This was almost five months after Ezra came to Jerusalem.
and all the people... The street which led to the temple, the east street (2 Chron. 29:4), though some think this was the court of the people, called a street, because it lay open, not yet walled in. And, according to Josephus, it was in an upper room of the temple in which Ezra was, perhaps the same with the chamber of Johanan (Ezra 10:6).
trembling because of... They were worried; some that were guilty, not knowing what punishment would be inflicted on them, and others that were not. Yet dreaded the wrath of God, lest that should break out upon the whole congregation for it.
and for the... Which now fell, and which they interpreted as a token of the divine displeasure. For though it was in winter time, yet not with them a time of rain, for the former rain had fallen a month before. So that this being unusual and unexpected, they understood it as betokening evil to them.
This would have been about December the 12th on our calendar. The month would have been Chisleu on their calendar. This is the rainy season in Judah. Perhaps, that is what is meant by the great rain.

And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Ezr. 10:10

And Ezra the... In the midst of the assembly to make his speech, acquainting them with the reason of their meeting together.

and said unto... The law of God in the following instance. Ezra was plain and sincere in declaring the sins of the people, and quick to demand proper confession and restitution (Ezr. 10:10-11).
and have taken... Of the people of the land and others, idolatrous persons.
to increase the... To add to former iniquities, which had been the cause of their initial captivity.
Ezra had been put in a place of great authority by the Persian king. He now used that authority to speak to the people about what they must do. He was speaking to them as a spiritual leader, when he informed them of their transgressions.

Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Ezr. 10:11

Now therefore make... As Ezra addressed the group, he cited their sin of unfaithfulness, pronounced their guilt, and challenged them to acknowledge their sin and do something about it by becoming separate from their foreign wives.

and do his... Obey his will, and particularly in this case.

and separate yourselves... The Canaanites, etc. Have no fellowship with them, make no covenants, contracts, and alliances with them for the future.

and from the... They had taken; put them away.

It would be of no use to rid themselves of their heathen wives if they did not realize in their hearts that they must do this, because they had sinned. The first step to being forgiven is to confess the sin.

Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. Ezr. 10:12

Then all the... Then—after his sermon, the whole congregation was convicted enough to obey the demands made on them, even to the point of separating husbands and wives and parents and children. They concluded that it would take time and wisdom to work out the many details related to such marriages, so the people should go to the judges in the cities to settle these matters in the best way possible, and as soon as possible in order to avert the wrath of God (Ezr. 10:13-14).

and said with... That they might be heard, and to show that they were willing and ready to comply with what was proposed.

As thou hast... Being convinced of their sin, they saw it was a duty incumbent on them to put away their strange wives, and that there was a necessity of it, to avert the wrath of God from them.
so must we... Once they were made aware of their sins, they agreed to make it right. They would be divorced from the heathen.

But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing. Ezr. 10:13

But the people... The people responded that they agreed, but that the matter would take some time because of the large number of people involved and because of the rain. (In fact, it took three months; Ezr. 10:16-17.)

and it is... In the street, because of the rain.
neither is this... To inquire into this affair, who they are that have taken strange wives, and to persuade or oblige them to put them away.
for we are... In marrying strange wives.
It appears that a large percentage of the population had committed this sin. It was the rainy season, and hard to move this many people. They were explaining it would take some time to implement this.

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. Ezr. 10:14

Now let our... Let the great Sanhedrin, or court of judicature at Jerusalem, be fixed and continued, and others.

and let all... Someone suggested that each man who had married a foreign woman should make an appointment with the elders and judges of his hometown so that the matter could be settled locally. This was a good suggestion because the elders and judges of each town would know the individuals involved.

and with them... The principal magistrates of it, who were to testify that upon search and inquiry those were the men and all the men in their city, that had taken strange wives, and that they had put them away according to the order of the princes and elders. And this they proposed to be done in every city, and the account to be brought to the Sanhedrin at Jerusalem, who were to sit at certain times till this affair was finished.
until the fierce... Which it seems had broken out in some instances, and they feared would do yet more, unless this step was taken, whereby they hoped it would be averted.
It appears, there was some sort of ceremony that took place to release the people from this marriage. It was a reverse wedding, I suppose.

Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them. Ezr. 10:15

employed about this... To see that this affair was conducted in the manner proposed. That the magistrates of every city brought the persons that had been delinquents, in their turns, of which they gave them notice, and took the account of them as they came.
and Meshullam and... Assisted them in this work. The other two perhaps were priests, and both these Levites. And these four were the only persons appointed over this matter, as the phrase in the preceding clause may signify.
The dissolving of the marriages was handled by Jonathan and Jahaziah. Meshullam and Shabbethai were their helpers. This could mean they issued them bills of divorcements.

And the children of the captivity did so. 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, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Ezr. 10:16

first day of... It took 3 months to examine all the different cases which came before the judges (Ezr. 10:16-17). The commission sat for 60 to 62 days before the last case came before them. In just 11 days the examining began (cf. Ezr. 10:9, 10:16). It took three months for all the marriages to be examined, from the first day of the 10th month (December-January 457) to the first day of the 1st month of the next year (March-April 456).

And the children... Put away their strange wives.

And Ezra the... From all their other business, and gave themselves up to attend to this matter entirely.
and sat down... The month Tebeth, which answers to part of December and January. This was ten days after the assembly of all the people met and broke up. These took their places in the great court, and there they sat.
to examine the... The accounts brought in from the several cities by the magistrates thereof, and recorded them.
This took until January on our calendar, there were so many of them. On the twelfth of January, Ezra and the chiefs of the fathers checked to make sure they had completed the work.

And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month. Ezr. 10:17

made an end... Finished their inquiry and examination of them.

had taken strange... Ezra wrote nothing about what happened to these foreign women or their children. Presumably they returned to their pagan countries.

by the first... The month Nisan, answering to part of March and April; so that they were three months about this work.
We see that it was not until April 1st on our calendar, that they finally had finished issuing the divorces.

Those Guilty of Intermarriage

And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah. Ezr. 10:18

And among the... The priests were commanded in the law of Moses not to take foreign wives (Lev. 21:14). Here there were eighteen who had transgressed in this matter, and all agreed to give up their wives (Ezr. 10:18-22).

there were found... Ezra concluded his account by listing the offenders in the foreign marriages. Involved in this serious sin were 18 priests (Ezr. 10:18-22) and 10 Levites including a singer and 3 gatekeepers (Ezr. 10:23-24), and 84 others from around the nation (Ezr. 10:25-43).

And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass. Ezr. 10:19

they offered a... The guilty priests each offered a ram… as a guilt offering in accord with Lev. 5:14-15.

And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah. And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah. And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah. Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri. Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah. And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza. Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth. And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh. And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah. Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei. Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh, Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau, And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei, And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah, Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah, Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph. Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah. Ezr. 10:20-43

All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children. Ezr. 10:44

All these had... All these—some of all classes in Israel who had come back from captivity. All, without exception, agreed to separate from their foreign wives and children by such women.

Unfortunately the people would again slip into the same kind of sin only one generation later (Neh.13:23-28).

The family names in Ezr. 10:25-43 correspond closely to those in Ezr. 2:3-20.

The narrative ends abruptly at this point. The message of the book is complete. In order for the people to be back in fellowship with the Lord it was absolutely necessary for them to have proper temple worship (Ezra 1-6) and to live according to God’s Word (chaps. 7-10).