Ezra 10 13

Ezra 10:13 kjv

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.

Ezra 10:13 nkjv

But there are many people; it is the season for heavy rain, and we are not able to stand outside. Nor is this the work of one or two days, for there are many of us who have transgressed in this matter.

Ezra 10:13 niv

But there are many people here and it is the rainy season; so we cannot stand outside. Besides, this matter cannot be taken care of in a day or two, because we have sinned greatly in this thing.

Ezra 10:13 esv

But the people are many, and it is a time of heavy rain; we cannot stand in the open. Nor is this a task for one day or for two, for we have greatly transgressed in this matter.

Ezra 10:13 nlt

Then they added, "This isn't something that can be done in a day or two, for many of us are involved in this extremely sinful affair. And this is the rainy season, so we cannot stay out here much longer.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 13 Meaning

Ezra 10:13 states the people's practical considerations regarding their widespread sin of intermarriage: they were too numerous to gather outside in the severe winter rain to address such a grave issue promptly. They confessed that their collective transgression was so extensive that it would require more than a mere day or two to thoroughly resolve. This verse conveys both the logistical challenge and a sincere acknowledgment of the profound depth of their disobedience.

Ezra 10 13 Context

Ezra 10 opens with Ezra's profound lament and prayer after discovering the pervasive sin of intermarriage among the returned exiles. Overwhelmed with sorrow and concern for Israel's covenant purity, he publicly grieved before the house of God, prompting many to gather. Shecaniah, acknowledging the national transgression, proposed a covenant to put away the foreign wives and their children, calling for a radical commitment to repentance. Ezra administered an oath to the leaders and all Israel. Verse 13 is the people's collective response, presenting practical challenges—the large number of individuals involved and the harsh, rainy season—and asserting the depth and complexity of their sin, suggesting that a more structured process over time was necessary, rather than a single, hasty act. This assembly takes place in the ninth month (Chislev), a period known for heavy rainfall in ancient Judah.

Ezra 10 13 Word analysis

• But the people are many (וְכִי־רַב֙ הָעָם֙ - wəkhî-rav hāʿām):

  • וְכִי־ (wəkhî-): "But" or "And for" introduces a reason or an explanation, linking it to the previous discussion of making a covenant.
  • רַב֙ (rav): Hebrew for "many" or "numerous." This highlights the sheer scale of the gathering and, by implication, the extent of the intermarriage problem throughout the community. It presents a practical constraint.
  • הָעָם֙ (hāʿām): Hebrew for "the people." Refers to the collective Israelite community, indicating that the issue affected a broad cross-section, not just a few individuals. The emphasis is on their great numbers.

• and it is the time of much rain (וְהָעֵ֞ת גְּשָׁמִ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים - wəhāʿēth gēšāmîm rabbîm):

  • וְהָעֵ֞ת (wəhāʿēth): "And the time," specifying the season.
  • גְּשָׁמִ֣ים (gēšāmîm): Hebrew for "rains." Indicates the presence of rain, likely heavy given the context. The ninth month (Chislev, late November to December) was the onset of the severe winter rainy season in Judah, making outdoor assembly difficult and prolonged exposure risky.
  • רַבִּ֗ים (rabbîm): Hebrew for "much" or "many," again emphasizing the intensity or quantity of the rain. It underlines the physical hardship of a prolonged outdoor meeting.

• and we are not able to stand outside (וְאֵ֣ין כֹּ֔חַ לַעֲמֹ֖וד בַּחֽוּץ - wəʾên kōaḥ laʿămôd baḥûṣ):

  • וְאֵ֣ין (wəʾên): "And not" or "and there is not."
  • כֹּ֔חַ (kōaḥ): Hebrew for "strength" or "power," here meaning "ability" or "capacity." They are physically unable to sustain such an ordeal.
  • לַעֲמֹ֖וד (laʿămôd): Hebrew infinitive "to stand." Implies staying for a considerable period.
  • בַּחֽוּץ (baḥûṣ): Hebrew for "outside." This refers to their open-air assembly which was common for large gatherings, but now impractical. It highlights the logistical impracticality of an immediate, comprehensive resolution for thousands exposed to cold, wet weather.

• nor is this a work of one or two days (וְלֹא־מְלָאכָ֖ה לְיֹ֣ום אֶחָ֣ד אוֹ־שְׁנַ֑יִם - wəloʾ-məlāʾkhāh ləyôm ʾeḥād ʾô-shənayim):

  • וְלֹא־מְלָאכָ֖ה (wəloʾ-məlāʾkhāh): "And not a work" or "not a matter."
  • מְלָאכָ֖ה (məlāʾkhāh): Hebrew for "work," "business," "task," or "matter." This points to the seriousness and complexity of dealing with such a widespread sin.
  • לְיֹ֣ום אֶחָ֣ד אוֹ־שְׁנַ֑יִם (ləyôm ʾeḥād ʾô-shənayim): "For one day or two days." Emphasizes that this is not a trivial or quick fix. The depth of the sin meant it would require detailed consideration and processing for each affected family, rather than a single, sweeping declaration.

• for we have greatly transgressed in this matter (כִּי־הִרְבִּ֖ינוּ לִפְשֹׁ֥עַ בַּדָּבָר הַזֶּֽה - kî-hirbbînû lifshōaʿ baddāvār hazzah):

  • כִּי־ (kî-): "For" or "because," introducing the justification for their proposed extended process.
  • הִרְבִּ֖ינוּ לִפְשֹׁ֥עַ (hirbbînû lifshōaʿ): "We have multiplied to transgress" or "we have greatly transgressed."
    • הִרְבִּ֖ינוּ (hirbbînû): A Hiphil perfect form of rabah, meaning "to make much" or "to multiply," indicating they "multiplied their transgression" or "greatly increased" it.
    • לִפְשֹׁ֥עַ (lifshōaʿ): Infinitive form of pāšaʿ, a strong Hebrew word for "to transgress," "to rebel," or "to revolt." It implies a conscious and deliberate breaking of a covenant or command, more than a simple error. Its use here indicates the severity of their collective rebellion against God's law. The combination of "multiplying" and "transgressing" creates an intensive expression of profound guilt.
  • בַּדָּבָר הַזֶּֽה (baddāvār hazzah): "In this matter." Refers directly back to the issue of intermarriage with foreign women, reinforcing that the depth of their collective guilt made a hasty resolution impractical and undesirable.

Ezra 10 13 Bonus section

• The practical considerations regarding the rain and multitude indicate a blend of spiritual urgency and practical wisdom in addressing a severe theological issue. True repentance often involves methodical implementation.
• The phrase "greatly transgressed" (hirbbînû lifshōaʿ) employs an intensified verbal construction, underscoring the collective, profound, and defiant nature of their disobedience against God's explicit covenant commands. It wasn't an oversight but a deep-seated spiritual departure.
• This verse provides a crucial turning point, showing the community's movement from recognition of sin to proposing an orderly, yet determined, path to national restoration. It sets the stage for the systematic resolution described in the subsequent verses.

Ezra 10 13 Commentary

Ezra 10:13 articulates the people's pragmatic response to Ezra's urgent call for repentance regarding intermarriage. It is not an attempt to excuse their sin or evade responsibility, but rather a realistic assessment of the situation's gravity and scale. Their statement about the "many people" and "much rain" highlights the practical limitations of convening an immediate, all-encompassing solution outdoors during winter. Crucially, they do not deny the charge; instead, they acknowledge its immense depth and widespread nature by confessing, "for we have greatly transgressed in this matter." The use of "pāšaʿ," signifying rebellion or revolt against God, demonstrates their deep conviction of sin. Their proposal for a more structured, methodical process ("not a work of one or two days") shows genuine intent to deal with the sin thoroughly, reflecting not merely a logistical challenge but an understanding that true repentance and cleansing would require a deliberate, communal effort beyond a single day's gathering. This suggests maturity in their repentance, aiming for comprehensive restoration rather than a hasty or superficial fix.