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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 10:1-5

We are here told, I. What good impressions were made upon the people by Ezra's humiliation and confession of sin. No sooner was it noised in the city that their new governor, in whom they rejoiced, was himself in grief, and to so great a degree, for them and their sin, than presently there assembled to him a very great congregation, to see what the matter was and to mingle their tears with his, Ezra 10:1. Our weeping for other people's sins may perhaps set those a weeping for them themselves... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 10:1

Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping ,.... Had confessed the sins of the people in prayer and supplication, with many tears: and casting himself down before the house of God ; in the outward court before the temple, his face turned towards it, where he lay prostrate: there assembled to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men, and women, and children ; it was quickly spread abroad, both in Jerusalem and places adjacent, that such a great man, a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 10:2

And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra ,.... This man seems to be one of those that now came with Ezra from Babylon, see Ezra 8:3 , we have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land ; not that he had taken any himself, being but just come into the land, nor is his name in the list of those that had; but inasmuch as many of the nation, of which he was a part, and his own father, and several of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 10:3

Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God ,.... Renew our covenant with him, and lay ourselves under fresh obligation by promise and oath, and unanimously agree to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them ; he means all the strange wives, such marriages being unlawful; and such wives might the more easily be put away, since bills of divorce were in frequent use with the Jews, and the children of such also being illegitimate; and the rather they were to be put away,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Ezra 10:4

Arise ,.... From the ground, where he lay prostrate: for this matter belongeth unto thee ; as a priest and scribe of the law, well versed in it, and therefore could direct what was to be done according to it; and as a ruler under the king of Persia, and a commissioner of his, to inquire whether the law of God was observed by the Jews, Ezra 7:14 and so had authority to put the law in execution: we also will be with thee ; to help and assist in the reformation of this evil: be of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 10:1

The people wept very sore - They were deeply affected at the thought of God's displeasure, which they justly feared was about to light upon them, because of their transgressions. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 10:2

Shechaniah the son of Jehiel - He speaks here in the name of the people, not acknowledging himself culpable, for he is not in the following list. It is in the same form of speech with that in James, James 3:9 . With the tongue curse we men. He seems to have been a chief man among the people; and Ezra, at present, stood in need of his influence and support. Yet now there is hope in Israel - מקוה mikveh , expectation, of pardon; for the people were convinced of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 10:3

Let us make a covenant - ברית נכרת nichrath berith , let us cut or divide the covenant sacrifice. See the notes on Genesis 15:10 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Ezra 10:4

Arise ; for this matter belongeth unto thee - By the decree of Artaxerxes, he was authorized to do everything that the law of God required: see Ezra 7:23-28 . And all officers were commanded to be aiding and assisting; hence Shechaniah says, We are with you. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Ezra 10:1

When Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed. Rather, "As Ezra prayed, and as he confessed." (Vulg.: " Orante Esdra et implorante ." LXX .: ὡς προσηύξατο ἔσδρας καὶ ὡς ἐξηγόρευσε .) Weeping and casting himself down. Ezra had knelt at first ( Ezra 9:5 ); but as he proceeded, and felt more and more the heinousness of the people's transgression, he threw himself forward upon the ground, in the attitude of extremest humiliation. Before the house of God. So far as can be... read more

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