1.
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.
when Ezra: Daniel 9:3, Daniel 9:4, Daniel 9:20, Acts 10:30
when he had: Leviticus 26:40, Leviticus 26:41, Psalms 32:5, Hosea 14:2, 1 John 1:8-10
weeping: Psalms 119:136, Jeremiah 9:1, Jeremiah 13:17, Zechariah 12:10, Luke 19:41, Romans 9:2
before the house: 1 Kings 8:30, 1 Kings 9:3, 2 Chronicles 20:9
a very great: Deuteronomy 31:12, 2 Chronicles 20:13, Nehemiah 10:28, Joel 2:16-18, Acts 21:5
very sore: Heb. a great weeping, Judges 2:4, Judges 2:5, Nehemiah 8:9
Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:21 - confess over Joshua 8:35 - women 1 Samuel 30:4 - lifted up 2 Kings 22:19 - wept Nehemiah 1:4 - I sat down Nehemiah 13:8 - it grieved Isaiah 38:3 - wept Luke 7:38 - weeping Acts 5:14 - multitudes Acts 20:37 - wept 1 Corinthians 5:2 - mourned 1 Corinthians 12:21 - General 2 Corinthians 12:21 - that I
2.
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.
Shechaniah: Ezra 10:26, Nehemiah 3:29
Elam: Ezra 2:7, Ezra 2:31, Nehemiah 7:12, Nehemiah 7:34
We have trespassed: Shechaniah here speaks in the name of the people, not acknowledging himself culpable; for he is not in the following list., Compare, James 2:9, Exodus 34:12, Nehemiah 13:27
yet now there is hope: Exodus 34:6, Exodus 34:7, Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7, Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 3:13, 1 John 1:7-9
Reciprocal: Exodus 18:24 - General Leviticus 5:19 - trespassed 1 Kings 11:2 - Ye shall not go in Nehemiah 2:17 - come Proverbs 27:9 - so Malachi 2:10 - by Malachi 2:11 - and hath Acts 27:22 - I exhort 1 Corinthians 7:12 - If
3.
Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
let us make: Nichrath berith, "let us cut a covenant:" Deuteronomy 29:12, Joshua 9:6, 2 Kings 11:17, 2 Chronicles 29:10, 2 Chronicles 34:31, 2 Chronicles 34:32, Nehemiah 9:38, Nehemiah 10:29-39
put away: Heb. bring forth
according to the counsel: 2 Chronicles 30:12
of those that: Ezra 9:4, 2 Chronicles 34:21, 2 Chronicles 34:27, Psalms 119:59, Psalms 119:120, Isaiah 66:2, Ezekiel 9:4
at the commandment: Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 7:3, Joshua 23:12, Joshua 23:13
let it: Nehemiah 8:14, Nehemiah 13:1-3, Isaiah 8:20, Shechaniah's counsel, which he was then so clear in, will not hold now: such marriages, it is certain, are contrary to the will of God, and ought not to be made; but they are not null. Our rule under the gospel is Quod fieri non debuit, factum valet, "That which ought not to have been done must, when done, abide." See note on 1 Corinthians 7:12, 1 Corinthians 7:13
Reciprocal: 2 Kings 23:3 - made a covenant 2 Chronicles 23:16 - made a covenant Ezra 10:5 - made Ezra 10:12 - so must we do Proverbs 13:13 - he Malachi 2:10 - by Acts 24:25 - Felix Philippians 2:12 - with
4.
Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.
Arise: Joshua 7:10-26, 1 Chronicles 22:16, 1 Chronicles 22:19, Ecclesiastes 9:10
for this matter: By the decree of Artaxerxes, Ezra was authorised to do every thing that the law of God required. Ezra 7:23-28, Mark 13:34
we also will: Joshua 1:16-18, 1 Chronicles 28:10, 1 Chronicles 28:21
be of good: Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 35:4, Hebrews 10:24, Hebrews 12:12, Hebrews 12:13
Reciprocal: Genesis 42:1 - Why do ye Exodus 14:15 - General Joshua 1:18 - only be 1 Chronicles 19:13 - of good Ezra 10:12 - so must we do
5.
Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.
arose: Proverbs 1:5, Proverbs 9:9, Proverbs 15:23, Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 25:12, Proverbs 27:9
made: Ezra 10:3, Nehemiah 5:12, Nehemiah 10:29, Nehemiah 13:25, Matthew 26:63
Reciprocal: Exodus 14:15 - General Exodus 18:24 - General Matthew 2:4 - the chief
6.
Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
the chamber: Nehemiah 13:5
Johanan: Nehemiah 3:1, Nehemiah 3:20, Nehemiah 12:10, Nehemiah 12:22, Nehemiah 13:28
he did eat: Deuteronomy 9:18, Job 23:12, John 4:31-34
he mourned: Ezra 9:4, Isaiah 22:12, Daniel 9:3
Reciprocal: Numbers 25:6 - weeping Psalms 102:4 - so that Psalms 119:53 - horror Isaiah 58:5 - it such
7.
And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
they made: Ezra 1:1, 2 Chronicles 30:5
Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 14:4 - commanded Ezra 4:1 - children of the captivity Daniel 5:13 - the children
8.
And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
And that whosoever: Ezra 7:26, Judges 21:5, 1 Samuel 11:7
forfeited: Heb. devoted, Leviticus 27:28, Joshua 6:19
himself separated: Nehemiah 13:3, Matthew 18:17, John 9:22, John 9:34, John 16:2, 1 Corinthians 5:13
Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:21 - devoted Deuteronomy 17:12 - will do Joshua 6:17 - accursed Ezra 9:1 - the princes
9.
Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
the ninth month: That is, some time in December, which is the coldest and most rainy time of the year in Palestine. Dr. Russel, in his account of the weather at Aleppo, which very much resembles that in Judea, says, that the natives reckon the severity of the winter, which they call marbania, to last but forty days, beginning from the 12th of December, and ending the 20th of January, and that this computation comes in fact very near the truth, and that the air during this time is excessively piercing, even to those that are just come from a cold climate. Ezra 7:8, Ezra 7:9, Esther 2:16
trembling: 1 Samuel 12:17, 1 Samuel 12:18, Jeremiah 10:10, Jeremiah 10:13
great rain: Heb. showers
Reciprocal: Exodus 1:1 - General 2 Chronicles 32:6 - in the street Job 37:6 - great Job 37:13 - whether Acts 24:25 - Felix Acts 28:2 - because 2 Corinthians 7:15 - with
10.
And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.
taken: Heb. caused to dwell, or, brought back
to increase: Ezra 9:6, Numbers 32:14, Joshua 22:17, Joshua 22:18, 2 Chronicles 28:13, Matthew 23:32
Reciprocal: Joshua 7:19 - make Ezra 9:1 - have not separated Nehemiah 10:30 - General Nehemiah 13:23 - married Jeremiah 5:6 - because 2 Timothy 2:16 - for
11.
Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
make confession: Leviticus 26:40-42, Joshua 7:19, Psalms 32:5, Proverbs 28:13, Jeremiah 3:13, 1 John 1:7-9
do his: Isaiah 1:16-18, Isaiah 56:4, Romans 12:2, Colossians 1:10, Hebrews 13:21
separate: Ezra 9:1, Nehemiah 13:3, 2 Corinthians 6:17
and from the: Deuteronomy 7:3, Deuteronomy 7:4, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14
Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:5 - confess 2 Chronicles 30:22 - and making Nehemiah 1:6 - confess Nehemiah 9:2 - the seed Nehemiah 10:28 - all they 1 Corinthians 7:12 - If
12.
Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.
As thou hast said: They all resolved to do what Ezra had commanded; and they did put away their wives, even those by whom they had children - Ezra 10:44, each of whom doubtless received a portion according to the circumstances of her husband, and was not turned away desolate. Humanity must have dictated this, and no law of God is contrary to humanity.
so must we do: Ezra 10:3, Ezra 10:4, Nehemiah 13:23, Psalms 78:37, Psalms 78:57
Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:5 - confess Nehemiah 5:12 - We will restore
13.
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.
the people: Ezra 10:18-44, Matthew 7:13, Matthew 7:14
we are many that have transgressed in this thing: or, we have greatly offended in this thing
Reciprocal: Job 37:6 - great
14.
Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
our rulers: Deuteronomy 17:9, Deuteronomy 17:18, Deuteronomy 17:19, 2 Chronicles 19:5-7
the fierce: Numbers 25:4, Deuteronomy 13:17, Joshua 7:26, 2 Chronicles 29:10, 2 Chronicles 30:8, Psalms 78:38, Isaiah 12:1
for this matter be turned from us: or, be turned from us, till this matter be dispatched.
Reciprocal: Exodus 32:12 - Turn from 2 Chronicles 28:11 - the fierce
15.
Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
were employed: Heb. stood
Meshullam: Nehemiah 3:6, Nehemiah 10:20, Nehemiah 12:33
Shabbethai: Nehemiah 11:16
16.
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.
to examine the matter: Deuteronomy 13:14, Job 29:16, John 7:51
Reciprocal: Ezra 4:1 - children of the captivity Daniel 5:13 - the children
17.
And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.
am 3548, bc 456
the first day: The cases brought before the council were either so many, or so complicated, that, though they separated themselves from other employments, yet they were three whole months in examining into their affairs, and making the necessary separations required by the law. Ezra 10:17
18.
And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.
the sons: Ezra 9:1, Leviticus 21:7, Leviticus 21:13-15, 1 Samuel 2:22-24, Nehemiah 13:28, Jeremiah 23:11, Jeremiah 23:14, Ezekiel 44:22, Malachi 2:8, Malachi 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:11
Jeshua: Ezra 2:2, Ezra 3:2, Ezra 5:2, 1 Chronicles 6:14, 1 Chronicles 6:15, Nehemiah 12:10, Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 3:1, Joshua
Maaseiah: Nehemiah 8:4, Nehemiah 8:7
Reciprocal: Leviticus 16:6 - for himself Ezra 9:2 - taken of their Ezra 10:13 - the people Ezra 10:25 - Moreover of Israel Malachi 2:12 - the master and the scholar
19.
And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.
gave their hands: They bound themselves in the most solemn manner to do as the rest of the delinquents had done, and make and acknowledgment to God of their iniquity, by offering each a ram for a trespass offering. 2 Kings 10:15, 1 Chronicles 29:24, 2 Chronicles 30:8, *marg. Lamentations 5:6, Galatians 2:9
a ram: Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 5:16, Leviticus 6:4, Leviticus 6:6
Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:13 - and are guilty Leviticus 9:3 - Take ye Leviticus 16:6 - for himself Malachi 2:12 - the master and the scholar 2 Corinthians 6:14 - unequally
20.
And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.
Immer: Ezra 2:37, 1 Chronicles 24:14, Nehemiah 7:40
21.
And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.
Harim: Ezra 2:39, 1 Chronicles 24:8, Nehemiah 7:42
Reciprocal: Ezra 8:16 - Shemaiah Nehemiah 10:8 - Shemaiah
22.
And of the sons of Pashur; Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah.
Pashur: Ezra 2:38, 1 Chronicles 9:12, Nehemiah 7:41
Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:39 - General Nehemiah 8:7 - Maaseiah
23.
Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
Jozabad: Ezra 8:33, Nehemiah 11:16
Kelita: Nehemiah 10:10
Reciprocal: Ezra 10:25 - Moreover of Israel Nehemiah 8:7 - Kelita
24.
Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.
Reciprocal: Ezra 10:25 - Moreover of Israel
25.
Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.
Moreover of Israel: That is, as Calmet observes, simple Israelites; thus distinguished from the priests, Levites, and singers, mentioned in Ezra 10:18, Ezra 10:23, Ezra 10:24.
sons of Parosh: Ezra 2:3, Nehemiah 7:8
26.
And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.
Elam: Ezra 10:2, Ezra 2:7, Ezra 2:31, Ezra 8:7, Nehemiah 7:12, Nehemiah 7:34
Jehiel: Ezra 10:2
27.
And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.
Zattu: Ezra 2:8, Nehemiah 7:13
28.
Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
Bebai: Ezra 2:11, Ezra 8:11, Nehemiah 7:16
Reciprocal: Nehemiah 7:31 - Michmas Nehemiah 10:15 - Azgad
29.
And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.
Bani: Ezra 2:10, Nehemiah 7:15, Binnui
Malluch: Nehemiah 10:4
Reciprocal: Ezra 10:34 - Bani Nehemiah 8:4 - Meshullam
30.
And of the sons of Pahath-moab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.
Pahathmoab: Ezra 2:6, Ezra 8:4, Nehemiah 7:11
31.
And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
Harim: Ezra 2:32, Nehemiah 7:35
Malchiah: This variation only exists in the translation, the original being uniformly Malchijah, or rather, Malkeeyah. Nehemiah 3:11, Malchijah
Reciprocal: Nehemiah 6:10 - Shemaiah Nehemiah 7:42 - Harim
32.
Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.
33.
Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.
Hashum: Ezra 2:19, Nehemiah 7:22
Reciprocal: Nehemiah 8:4 - Hashum
34.
Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,
Bani: Ezra 10:29
Reciprocal: Ezra 2:10 - Bani
35.
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,
36.
Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
37.
Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,
38.
And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,
39.
And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,
Reciprocal: Ezra 8:16 - Nathan
40.
Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
Machnadebai: or, Mabnadebai, according to some copies
41.
Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,
42.
Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.
43.
Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
Nebo: Ezra 2:29, Nehemiah 7:33
44.
All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
strange wives: Proverbs 2:16, Proverbs 5:3, Proverbs 5:20
and some of them: This observation was probably intended to shew that only a few of them had children, and also how rigorously the law was put in execution. According to a passage in Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho, a Jew, Ezra offered a paschal lamb on this occasion, and addressed the people thus: "And Ezra said to the people, This pass-over is our Saviour and our Refuge; and if ye will be persuaded of it, and let it enter into your hearts, that we are to humble to Him in a sign, and afterwards shall believe in Him, this place shall not be destroyed forever, saith the Lord of hosts; but, if ye will not believe in Him, nor hearken to his preaching, ye shall be a laughing-stock to the Gentiles." This was probably a marginal note added by some early Christian.
Reciprocal: Ezra 7:1 - Ezra Ezra 10:12 - As thou hast said Nehemiah 13:23 - married