ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Ezra 10

10:1–17 The People Agree to Dissolve the Marriages. Ezra prays, and the people confess their sin (vv. 1–2). They agree to do God’s will (vv. 3–5). Ezra seeks a solution (vv. 6–8), which is for them to separate from their wives (vv. 9–12), and the people obey (vv. 13–17).

Ezra 10:1 While Ezra prayed. Ezra has been giving a first-person account since 7:27; now, a different narrator takes over. a very great assembly. Ezra’s public prayer and grief bring many people to repentance—they wept bitterly.

Ezra 10:2 Shecaniah speaks for the whole gathering. Jehiel. See also v. 26; Shecaniah’s own father may have had a mixed marriage. The word translated married means literally “we have given a home,” perhaps implying these were not actual marriages.

Ezra 10:3 Shecaniah’s belief that “there is hope for Israel” (v. 2) depends on their making a covenant with God. In this case it means a binding promise to put away the foreign wives and their children. This is not the usual expression for “divorce” and may also imply that these were not proper marriages. It simply means “bring out,” in effect removing them from the community. Thus, the situation is not the same as 1 Cor. 7:12–14, where Paul tells Christians not to divorce their unbelieving spouses. This account in Ezra describes an unusual situation and does not call for divorcing unbelieving spouses today. the counsel of my lord (that is, Ezra). Ezra may have already outlined a plan for taking care of the foreign wives and their children, even though it is not recorded here (but see note on Ezra 10:18–44). according to the Law. That is, Deut. 7:1–5. those who tremble. See note on Ezra 9:4.

Ezra 10:7–8 assemble at Jerusalem. This was a special gathering. Survival of the community was at stake. banned from the congregation. Anyone who refused to participate in the plan to renounce the foreign wives and children would also be removed from the community.

Ezra 10:9 The ninth month, Chislev, is roughly December, the time of the so-called early rains. The people are trembling partly for fear of God (as in 9:4) and partly because they are cold and wet in the heavy rain.

Ezra 10:10 increased the guilt of Israel. The return from exile had signified that Israel’s past sins had been forgiven (Isa. 40:1–2). Ezra now points to renewed sin, and possibly the renewed wrath of God.

Ezra 10:11 Make confession could also be translated in other contexts as “give thanks or praise” (compare Josh. 7:19 and esv footnote). Rightful confession is itself a kind of worship.

Ezra 10:14 wrath of our God. See note on v. 10.

Ezra 10:16–17 examine the matter. Thorough inquiry was a part of judges’ duties (see Deut. 17:4). The whole inquiry took three months.

10:18–44 List of Those Who Were Implicated. The list of around a hundred names may suggest a more limited problem than one might have expected. In that case, the severe reaction of Ezra and the community recognizes the danger they all could face because of the actions of a few (see Deut. 17:7). The extensive inquiry must have considered each case separately (see Ezra 10:16–17). In some cases, a foreign wife and her children may have adopted Israel’s religion, as permitted in 6:21. Those who were turned away probably returned to their non-Jewish families.