Ezra 10 7

Ezra 10:7 kjv

And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;

Ezra 10:7 nkjv

And they issued a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the descendants of the captivity, that they must gather at Jerusalem,

Ezra 10:7 niv

A proclamation was then issued throughout Judah and Jerusalem for all the exiles to assemble in Jerusalem.

Ezra 10:7 esv

And a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the returned exiles that they should assemble at Jerusalem,

Ezra 10:7 nlt

Then a proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should come to Jerusalem.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 7 Meaning

The leaders publicly announced across the territories of Judah and its capital Jerusalem, mandating all those who had returned from exile to gather in Jerusalem. This decree signified a unified and immediate call to address a pressing communal matter.

Ezra 10 7 Context

Ezra 10 opens with a profound period of repentance in response to the widespread sin of intermarriage among the returned exiles. Following Ezra's intense prayer and the people's deep remorse (Ezra 9), a consensus emerged to address this grave transgression (Ezra 10:1-4). Shecaniah proposes a covenant to put away foreign wives and children (Ezra 10:3), which Ezra then formalizes by requiring an oath from the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel (Ezra 10:5). This verse (Ezra 10:7) then describes the next, practical step in implementing this communal resolution: a universal summons for all the "sons of the exile" to assemble in Jerusalem. The urgency is amplified by the severe penalties decreed in the subsequent verse for non-compliance, indicating the gravity with which the leadership and the people viewed the crisis of mixed marriages threatening their distinct identity and covenant with God. The proclamation reflects a determined effort to purify the community and uphold the law of the Lord in the fragile, re-established society.

Ezra 10 7 Word analysis

• So they proclaimed (וַיַּקְרִיא֛וּ va-yaqriu):

  • Word: Derived from the Hebrew root קָרָא (qara'), meaning "to call," "to summon," "to proclaim."
  • Significance: The Hiphil imperfect form here ("they caused to call" or "they made proclamation") emphasizes a public, formal, and authoritative announcement. It indicates an official mandate, not a suggestion, coming from Ezra and the leaders/princes (implied from the preceding verses). The urgency is inherent in the immediate action taken.

• throughout Judah (בִּיהוּדָה bi-yehuda):

  • Word: "Judah" refers to the entire Persian province (Yehud), which was the homeland of the returned exiles.
  • Significance: This demonstrates the widespread reach of the proclamation. It wasn't just for Jerusalem's residents but encompassed the whole community settled in the surrounding territory, highlighting the pervasive nature of the problem and the comprehensive solution required.

• and Jerusalem (וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם u-viyrushalayim):

  • Word: The capital city and spiritual center.
  • Significance: Specifying both Judah and Jerusalem indicates a complete and exhaustive reach, ensuring no one in the main area of settlement was omitted. Jerusalem, as the designated place for assembly (see below), was crucial as the administrative and religious hub.

• to all (לְכׇל-ləḵāl):

  • Word: Emphatic term meaning "to all," "every single one."
  • Significance: Underscores the universal scope of the summons. No individual member of the defined group was exempt, stressing communal accountability and the inclusive nature of the covenant violation.

• the sons of the exile (בְּנֵי הַגּוֹלָה b'nei hagolah):

  • Word: A technical term for the community that returned from Babylonian captivity.
  • Significance: This term defines the specific demographic targeted by the proclamation. It identifies them not merely as "Jews" or "Israelites," but as a distinct covenant community, a purified remnant restored to their land by divine grace. This identity brought with it unique responsibilities and the expectation of covenant fidelity, which intermarriage threatened.

• to assemble (לְהִקָּהֵ֥ל lehiqqahël):

  • Word: Hiphil infinitive construct from קָהַל (qahal), "to assemble," "to gather."
  • Significance: This is not a casual meeting but a formal, required convocation. In biblical usage, an "assembly" (qahal) often implies a gathering for a sacred, legal, or urgent communal purpose, especially concerning covenant matters. It underscores the mandatory nature of the gathering.

• in Jerusalem (בִּירוּשָׁלָֽם biyrushālām):

  • Word: The specified location for the assembly.
  • Significance: Jerusalem was the natural choice—it was the administrative capital, the seat of religious authority (Temple still present though reconstructed), and historically the place where significant covenant renewals and national decisions were made (e.g., in Josiah's time). It lent spiritual and governmental authority to the summons and the subsequent proceedings.

Words-group Analysis:

• "So they proclaimed throughout Judah and Jerusalem": This phrase emphasizes the extensive administrative reach and authority of Ezra and the leaders. It highlights the coordinated effort to ensure everyone within the reinstated territory received the urgent summons, underscoring the severity and importance of the upcoming assembly.
• "to all the sons of the exile": This specific address identifies the exclusive group being called—the purified remnant, descendants of those who returned from Babylon. It reaffirms their unique identity and their collective responsibility for the purity of their community and adherence to the covenant that God had restored them under.

Ezra 10 7 Bonus section

• The speed with which the proclamation was issued suggests a deep sense of crisis and a clear understanding among the leadership that the future identity of Israel hung in the balance.
• The act of proclaiming the assembly itself indicates an existing level of organizational structure and administrative capacity among the returned exiles, despite their challenging circumstances. This organization was critical for communal cohesion and effective governance.
• The winter season (specifically mentioned in Ezra 10:9) often brought heavy rains, making travel difficult. The mandate for immediate assembly despite these conditions further emphasizes the paramount urgency of the spiritual crisis at hand.
• The entire process, from confession to assembly and resolution, illustrates a practical application of communal repentance and corporate responsibility for sin within the covenant community, a vital biblical principle.

Ezra 10 7 Commentary

Ezra 10:7 marks a crucial moment in the post-exilic reform under Ezra. Following intense lament and public confession regarding mixed marriages, this verse signals the decisive transition from contrition to structured action. The proclamation was not merely an advisory; it was an authoritative decree, backed by severe penalties (as detailed in verse 8), reflecting the profound urgency and gravity of the situation. The call for all "sons of the exile" to assemble in Jerusalem underscored the communal nature of the sin and the necessity of a collective response for purification and covenant fidelity. Jerusalem served as the focal point, emphasizing the religious and administrative importance of the gathering for covenant renewal. This mandatory assembly showcased the leaders' resolute commitment to restore God's law and maintain the spiritual integrity of the re-established community, even if it meant difficult personal choices for its members.