Ezra 10 12

Ezra 10:12 kjv

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

Ezra 10:12 nkjv

Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, "Yes! As you have said, so we must do.

Ezra 10:12 niv

The whole assembly responded with a loud voice: "You are right! We must do as you say.

Ezra 10:12 esv

Then all the assembly answered with a loud voice, "It is so; we must do as you have said.

Ezra 10:12 nlt

Then the whole assembly raised their voices and answered, "Yes, you are right; we must do as you say!"

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 12 Meaning

Ezra 10:12 captures the decisive moment when the entire assembly of Israelites wholeheartedly accepted Ezra’s call for national repentance and reform concerning intermarriage with foreign women. Their unanimous, loud affirmation, "It is so; for we must do as you have said," signifies a profound realization of their sin and a collective commitment to obey God's law, prioritizing their covenant identity over personal preferences.

Ezra 10 12 Context

Ezra chapter 10 follows Ezra’s profound lament and prayer in chapter 9, where he was deeply distressed by the widespread sin of intermarriage among the returning exiles. This practice was a direct violation of God's covenant commands (Deut 7:3-4), threatening to compromise the unique identity and spiritual purity of the Jewish community, potentially leading to a reintroduction of idolatry and assimilation that had contributed to the exile. Ezra's public display of grief led to a conviction among the people, starting with Shechaniah’s suggestion of a covenant to put away foreign wives and their children. Verse 12 is the assembly’s collective and emphatic response to this proposal and Ezra’s leadership. Historically, the returned exiles faced the critical challenge of re-establishing their distinct national and religious identity in Judah. Their willingness to enact such a drastic measure underscored the perceived gravity of the sin and their commitment to prevent further compromise with the pagan practices prevalent among surrounding peoples.

Ezra 10 12 Word analysis

• "all the assembly" (כָּל הַקָּהָל, kol haqahal): The term qahal refers to the summoned assembly or congregation, indicating the entire body of returned exiles present, representing the covenant community. Its use emphasizes that this was a unanimous and broad consensus, not just a decision of a few leaders. It speaks to a communal solidarity in response to Ezra's powerful conviction, a re-establishment of corporate identity centered on God's law.
• "answered" (וַיַּעֲנוּ, vayya'anu): Implies a direct and verbal response to Ezra's preceding call for repentance. It denotes an active, engaged posture, signifying their agreement and readiness to take action.
• "said with a loud voice" (וַיֹּאמְרוּ קוֹל גָּדוֹל, vayyo'mru qol gadol): This phrase highlights the intensity, unity, and public nature of their declaration. A "loud voice" in biblical context often denotes strong emotion, fervent agreement, or a formal proclamation. It mirrors the corporate "Amen" in covenant ceremonies (e.g., Deut 27:14-26) and underscores the deep conviction shared by the collective body, indicating sincere repentance and commitment, similar to their joyful shouts in Ezra 3:11, 13.
• "It is so;" (כֵּן הַדָּבָר, ken hadavar): Literally, "The matter is so" or "It is right." This is an emphatic affirmation, a strong endorsement of the proposed action. It acknowledges the validity and righteousness of Ezra’s words and the severity of their sin. This declaration signals intellectual and moral agreement with the severity of their transgressions and the necessity of the proposed remedy.
• "for we must do" (כִּי עָלֵינוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת, ki 'alenu la'asot): Literally, "For upon us is to do." This phrase denotes an obligation or duty, conveying a sense of divine mandate. It signifies that carrying out this command is not optional but a solemn responsibility placed upon them as God's covenant people. It highlights their acknowledgment that this action is a necessity for spiritual purity and for averting divine wrath, embodying a sense of repentance not just in word, but in concrete obligation.
• "as you have said!" (כִּדְבָרֶיךָ, kidvareikha): Indicates their submission to Ezra's spiritual authority, recognizing that his words aligned with God's law. It's a pledge of obedience not merely to Ezra personally, but to the divine standard he represented and communicated. This signifies trust in his leadership and conviction that his guidance was indeed God-ordained.

Ezra 10 12 Bonus section

The act described in Ezra 10:12 is a public, covenantal renewal moment. It bears similarity to the affirmation "Amen" repeatedly spoken by the people in Deuteronomy 27 as curses were pronounced upon those who failed to uphold the covenant, or in Nehemiah 8:6, when the people affirmed the reading of the law. This collective vocal response serves as a communal "oath" or public pledge of allegiance and obedience to God's will. The emphasis on "all the assembly" and "loud voice" underscores that spiritual revival and repentance can occur on a national, collective scale, driven by strong biblical leadership and a recognition of shared transgression against divine standards. It highlights the importance of radical obedience for preserving a distinct spiritual identity, particularly for a people striving to rebuild after profound national and spiritual failure.

Ezra 10 12 Commentary

Ezra 10:12 is the pivot point of the chapter, transforming Ezra's lament into collective resolve. The unanimous "loud voice" signals not coerced compliance but a deep-seated conviction within the entire community. Their declaration "It is so; for we must do as you have said" reflects genuine repentance: acknowledging the righteousness of the divine command ("It is so") and committing to fulfill it as an obligation ("we must do"). This commitment, driven by Ezra's tearful leadership and the pervasive conviction of sin, aimed to safeguard their unique identity as God's people, preventing further spiritual assimilation. This verse powerfully illustrates the communal acceptance of God's authority and the willingness to take painful, difficult steps to uphold covenant faithfulness, thus setting the stage for national purification and the restoration of a holy remnant.