Ezra 10:4 kjv
Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
Ezra 10:4 nkjv
Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it."
Ezra 10:4 niv
Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it."
Ezra 10:4 esv
Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it."
Ezra 10:4 nlt
Get up, for it is your duty to tell us how to proceed in setting things straight. We are behind you, so be strong and take action."
Ezra 10 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Josh 1:9 | "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous... for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." | God's command to be strong, assurance of presence. |
| Deut 31:6 | "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them... for it is the Lord your God who goes with you." | Divine presence empowering strength. |
| 1 Cor 16:13 | "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." | Call to spiritual vigilance and fortitude. |
| Eph 6:10 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might." | Source of true spiritual strength. |
| 2 Tim 2:1 | "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus." | Strength found in Christ's grace. |
| Isa 60:1 | "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you." | Call to spiritual awakening and action. |
| Eph 5:14 | "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." | Spiritual resurrection and transformation. |
| Rom 13:11 | "Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer..." | Urgency for spiritual wakefulness and action. |
| Neh 2:18 | "...and I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good... So they said, 'Let us rise up and build.'" | Leadership inspiring collective action. |
| Phil 2:2 | "...complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." | Unity and shared purpose. |
| Heb 12:1 | "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin..." | Encouragement from a supportive "cloud". |
| Exo 17:12 | "But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him... Aaron and Hur held up his hands..." | Physical support for the leader. |
| Josh 1:2 | "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people..." | Direct divine command to lead and act. |
| Psa 3:7 | "Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God!" | A plea for divine intervention and action. |
| Psa 119:60 | "I hastened and did not delay to keep your commandments." | Immediate obedience and decisive action. |
| Jas 1:22 | "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." | Emphasizing practical application of faith. |
| John 13:17 | "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them." | Blessing in active obedience. |
| Deut 10:12 | "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart..." | The expectation of God's people to act righteously. |
| 1 Kgs 11:4 | "For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true..." | Consequences of foreign wives leading to idolatry (contextual warning). |
| Deut 7:3-4 | "You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods." | Biblical prohibition against intermarriage and its reasons. |
| 2 Chron 7:14 | "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." | God's path to restoration requires turning from sin. |
| Neh 4:6 | "So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work." | Collective unity and shared purpose in rebuilding. |
| Zech 8:9 | "Thus says the Lord of hosts: Let your hands be strong, you who in these days hear these words from the mouth of the prophets..." | Call to courage for rebuilding after hearing God's word. |
Ezra 10 verses
Ezra 10 4 Meaning
Ezra 10:4 serves as a powerful call to action and encouragement to Ezra from Shechaniah, representing the people. It acknowledges Ezra's unique God-given responsibility as leader in confronting the widespread sin of intermarriage. The verse affirms the people's solidarity and unwavering support for Ezra, urging him to rise from his state of despair, to draw upon divine strength and courage, and to immediately proceed with decisive and practical measures to resolve the crisis.
Ezra 10 4 Context
Ezra chapter 10 marks a crucial turning point following Ezra's profound lament and prayer in chapter 9 concerning the pervasive sin of intermarriage with foreign women among the returning exiles. Ezra is depicted as deeply grieved, prostrate before the temple, confessing the sin of the people. This verse, Ezra 10:4, is spoken by Shechaniah, a leader from among the people, who witnesses Ezra's distress and, prompted by genuine repentance within the community (Ezra 10:1), steps forward. It's an encouragement and a mandate from the contrite community to Ezra, affirming their support and readiness to follow his leadership in taking drastic steps to rectify the covenant breaking that had occurred. This moment shifts the narrative from lament and confession to decisive action for corporate cleansing and restoration, crucial for the purity of the covenant people.
Ezra 10 4 Word analysis
- "Arise!" (קוּם, qum): An imperative verb meaning "to stand up," "to get up," or "to arise." It signifies a sudden change of posture or state—from prostration or inactivity to readiness for action. In a spiritual context, it often denotes an awakening, a call to leave behind despondency or a previous state of inaction to embrace a divine mandate or a new phase of purpose. Here, it’s a direct command to Ezra to move from his posture of grief to active leadership.
- "For it is your task" (לְךָ הַדָּבָר, leka ha'davar): Literally, "to you is the word" or "the matter belongs to you." This phrase unequivocally assigns the primary responsibility and authority for handling the complex situation to Ezra. It acknowledges his unique role as a priest and scribe, knowledgeable in God's law, and chosen by God for this leadership position. It’s an affirmation of his divine appointment and the necessity of his personal leadership.
- "and we are with you" (וַאֲנַחְנוּ עִמָּךְ, va'anachnu immach): A powerful statement of solidarity and commitment. It conveys the people's collective support and their willingness to participate in the challenging work ahead. This is not just moral support but an assurance of practical help and adherence to Ezra’s decrees, indicating a shift from a leadership vacuum to unified action.
- "be strong" (חֲזַק, chazak): An imperative verb meaning "be strong," "be courageous," "be firm," or "hold fast." This word is frequently used in the Bible (e.g., to Joshua, to the builders of the wall) when someone is called to undertake a difficult, God-ordained mission. It implies the need for inner resolve, resilience, and courage in the face of daunting challenges, trusting in divine enablement rather than solely human might.
- "and act" (וַעֲשֵׂה, va'aseh): An imperative verb meaning "and do," "and make," "and carry out." This is a command for decisive and immediate execution. It contrasts with passive mourning or lamentation, demanding practical implementation of solutions. It emphasizes that confession and repentance must lead to tangible actions.
- Words-group Analysis:
- "Arise! ... and act.": This powerful sequence encapsulates the entire transformation from passive sorrow to active, God-honoring conduct. It's a progression from internal emotional state to outward obedient deeds, signifying that true repentance culminates in practical change.
- "For it is your task, and we are with you.": This pair of phrases beautifully balances the singular responsibility of a divinely appointed leader with the essential support and unity of the community. It illustrates that effective spiritual leadership operates not in isolation but with the dedicated backing of the people it serves, acknowledging both Ezra's burden and the shared commitment to address the sin.
Ezra 10 4 Bonus section
The repetitive use of the verb "chazak" (be strong) throughout the Old Testament often marks crucial moments of leadership transition or monumental tasks (e.g., Joshua inheriting Moses' leadership, building the temple/wall). Its appearance here signals the gravity of the spiritual cleansing Ezra is about to undertake, assuring him of God's enabling strength. Furthermore, it is significant that the initiative to move from confession to action, and this very verse of encouragement, comes from a leader among the people (Shechaniah, son of Jehiel), rather than Ezra alone initiating the harsh measures. This underscores the genuine and collective nature of the repentance within the community and ensures widespread acceptance and participation in the difficult work of separation and covenant renewal, demonstrating corporate responsibility for corporate sin. This is a crucial element often seen in biblical movements of reformation: shared conviction and support.
Ezra 10 4 Commentary
Ezra 10:4 is a pivotal moment, shifting from Ezra's agonizing confession to concerted action. Shechaniah's words embody genuine corporate repentance, as the people recognize their culpability and take the initiative to rally around their disheartened leader. It’s a remarkable display of godly sorrow leading to practical righteousness. The call to "Arise!" invigorates Ezra, while the acknowledgement "it is your task" firmly places the mantle of leadership on him, validated by the community. The assurance "we are with you" demonstrates invaluable solidarity, necessary for a daunting task. The final injunctions "be strong and act" serve as an empowering mandate for courage and immediate, decisive obedience to God's law. This verse illustrates that even the most despairing situations, when met with humble confession and communal commitment, can be transformed into opportunities for courageous action and divine restoration. For instance, facing overwhelming challenges in ministry or personal life, this verse reminds us that sometimes we need to be told to 'rise up' and take decisive action, knowing that God has equipped us and, often, that He provides others to stand with us in the task.