Ezra 10 16

Ezra 10:16 kjv

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.

Ezra 10:16 nkjv

Then the descendants of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of the fathers' households, were set apart by the fathers' households, each of them by name; and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.

Ezra 10:16 niv

So the exiles did as was proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, one from each family division, and all of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to investigate the cases,

Ezra 10:16 esv

Then the returned exiles did so. Ezra the priest selected men, heads of fathers' houses, according to their fathers' houses, each of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to examine the matter;

Ezra 10:16 nlt

So this was the plan they followed. Ezra selected leaders to represent their families, designating each of the representatives by name. On December 29, the leaders sat down to investigate the matter.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 16 Meaning

Ezra 10:16 describes the organized, deliberative action taken by the community of returned exiles in response to the crisis of intermarriage with foreign women. Following a public confession and an oath to obey God's law, Ezra the priest spearheaded a structured investigation. He facilitated the selection of appointed leaders, specifically heads of ancestral families and other prominent men, who were named individually, to form a body. This body convened on a specific date, the first day of the tenth month, with the express purpose of meticulously examining and addressing the sensitive matter of these illicit marriages, ensuring a thorough and just resolution according to the Torah.

Ezra 10 16 Context

Ezra 10:16 falls within the narrative of Israel's return from Babylonian exile under the leadership of Ezra the priest-scribe, tasked with restoring the law of God among the people. Chapters 9-10 address the discovery of widespread intermarriage with people of surrounding lands, violating God's specific commands (Deut 7:3). This sin was perceived as a severe threat to the spiritual purity and covenant identity of the post-exilic community. Ezra, deeply grieved, publicly confessed the sin, and then stirred the people to make an oath to send away their foreign wives and children (Ezra 10:1-5). Verses 6-15 detail the subsequent call for an assembly, the people's agreement to the proposed solution despite the hardship, and their request for a systematic, delegated approach due to the magnitude of the problem. Verse 16 outlines the practical implementation of this agreement: the formation of a judicial-like body, headed by chosen leaders, to meticulously examine each case of intermarriage. This shows a transition from general confession to specific, systematic action, reflecting the community's commitment to deal with a grave sin and re-establish obedience to the Torah, even when painful.

Ezra 10 16 Word analysis

• Thus did the people of Israel:
  • Hebrew: וַיַּעֲשׂוּ (wayyaʿaśû) - "and they did." This phrase signifies immediate and direct action in response to the covenantal agreement made earlier in Ezra 10:12 ("It is for us to do this thing"). It emphasizes the corporate obedience and determination of the entire community, indicating a collective responsibility and commitment to rectify the spiritual breach. It highlights the principle that true repentance leads to active change.
• Ezra the priest selected:
  • Hebrew: עֶזְרָא הַכֹּהֵן נִבְחֲרוּ (ʿEẕrāʾ hakkōhēn nibḥarû) - The verb nibḥarû (Strong's H977, Niphal Perfect) is plural and means "were chosen" or "were selected." While "Ezra the priest" follows, suggesting his central role, the phrasing indicates that men were selected rather than Ezra actively choosing them by his hand alone. This suggests a consensus-driven process where Ezra facilitated or directed the selection, ensuring men of the community's confidence were appointed. His dual role as "priest" (upholder of divine law and mediator) and implicitly as a "scribe" (interpreter of Torah) granted him unique authority to oversee this critical selection for a sacred duty. This structured approach under spiritual leadership emphasizes orderly conduct in religious and communal affairs.
• heads of ancestral houses:
  • Hebrew: רָאשֵׁי אָבוֹת (rā’šê ʾāvōṯ) - Literally "heads of fathers." These were patriarchal leaders, representing their family units or clans, much like the tribal leaders of earlier Israel. Their involvement was crucial because the sin of intermarriage affected entire households and kinship groups, and their authority was necessary for decisions to be implemented within their families. This reflects the foundational societal structure of ancient Israel, where family and lineage were central.
• chief men:
  • This phrase clarifies the kind of men selected; not just any family head, but those who were prominent and influential leaders within the community, often holding a judicial or administrative capacity. They were respected individuals chosen for their wisdom, integrity, and ability to handle complex and sensitive cases.
• by their ancestral houses, all of them by name:
  • Hebrew: לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם (lĕbêṯ ʾăḇōṯām) - "according to their father's house." And לְשֵׁמוֹת (lĕšēmōṯ) - "by names." This specifies the systematic and organized manner of selection and operation. Each selected leader was identifiable by their family affiliation, ensuring accountability and representing specific segments of the community. Being "by name" underscored the individual responsibility and solemnity of their task, contrasting with a general or anonymous commission. This ensured meticulous due process, recognizing that each case was personal and significant.
• and they sat down:
  • Hebrew: וַיֵּשְׁבוּ (wayyēšəḇû) - "and they sat." This posture typically signifies taking one's place for formal proceedings, especially in a judicial or deliberative context. It indicates that the appointed men formed a formal council or court. This was not a casual meeting but a solemn assembly for serious deliberation and judgment.
• on the first day of the tenth month:
  • This precise chronological detail provides a specific timeline for the commencement of their work. The "tenth month" (Tevet) was four months after the assembly in the third month (Ezra 10:9). This gap likely allowed for the logistical arrangements for such a large-scale, systematic investigation to be put in place, showing careful planning. It highlights the organized and deliberate nature of their efforts, underscoring the gravity and urgency of the task while still adhering to proper process.
• to investigate the matter:
  • Hebrew: לִדְרֹשׁ לַדָּבָר (liḏrōš laddāvār) - "to seek the matter," "to inquire into the matter," "to examine the case." The verb dārōš (Strong's H1875) implies a thorough and diligent search, an inquiry, or an examination, particularly in legal or spiritual contexts (e.g., Deut 13:14 - to inquire "diligently"). The "matter" (dāḇār) refers specifically to the issue of intermarriage. This phrase defines the specific purpose of the appointed council: to meticulously hear each case, determine its details, and make decisions based on the Torah, thus enacting justice and purity. This investigation was not a summary judgment but a careful, case-by-case examination.

Ezra 10 16 Bonus section

The thoroughness of the investigation initiated in Ezra 10:16 extended over several months, as indicated in Ezra 10:17, where the process concluded on the first day of the first month of the following year. This indicates that dealing with the sin of intermarriage was not a simple, swift pronouncement but a detailed, laborious effort requiring immense time and dedication from the appointed leaders. This drawn-out process highlights the profound complexity and emotional distress involved in dissolving these families, demonstrating that while the decision was severe, its implementation was handled with methodical, rather than impulsive, rigor. It also speaks to the widespread nature of the problem, affecting a significant portion of the community. This careful, drawn-out process further cemented the spiritual boundaries of the returned exiles, distinguishing them distinctly from surrounding peoples in an effort to prevent future syncretism and maintain their unique covenant identity.

Ezra 10 16 Commentary

Ezra 10:16 marks a pivotal shift from the general lament and corporate confession to concrete, organized action. The verse illustrates the essential elements of effective leadership and communal responsibility in addressing sin within the covenant community. Ezra, as the spiritual leader, orchestrates a systematic process rather than allowing individual discretion or chaos. The careful selection of "heads of ancestral houses" and "chief men" ensures that the implementation is representative and authoritative, garnering trust and adherence from across the community. The act of sitting down on a specific day for formal "investigation" demonstrates a commitment to due process, order, and diligent inquiry, signifying a thorough and unhurried approach to a complex and painful issue. This structured response to the crisis of intermarriage underscores the supreme importance of covenant fidelity and the sanctity of God's people, even when requiring difficult and sacrificial obedience.