But the people are many ,.... Who have been guilty of this evil: and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without : in the street, because of the rain: neither is this a work of one day or two ; to inquire into this affair, who they are that have taken strange wives, and to persuade or oblige them to put them away: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing ; in marrying strange wives. read more
The reformations. Roused by the speech of Shechaniah to the work of reformation, Ezra promptly took his measures. These are set forth in the words before us. The consideration of the subject may be conveniently arranged under three heads, viz.— I. THE PROCLAMATION . 1. This was drawn up in the temple (verses 6, 7). 2. Its measures were strong and peremptory. (3) There was also a civil penalty, viz; "that all his substance should be forfeited." The Hebrew for... read more
Sin and repentance. A very memorable scene was witnessed that day, the twentieth of the ninth month, in the year of Ezra's return. All the Israelites of Judah and Benjamin assembled together in the courts of the temple, shaken, troubled, trembling for fear of the anger of an offended God, ready to yield to the demands of his faithful servant who spoke in his name, even to the breaking up of their domestic ties; it was an hour when sin was coming out into the light, and was to be sternly... read more
ADDRESS OF EZRA , AND CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE TO PUT AWAY THE STRANGE WIVES ( Ezra 10:10-14 ). Hitherto Ezra seems to have allowed the leading part in the matter to be taken by the civil authorities, whom he had found established in Jerusalem on his arrival ( Ezra 9:1-8 ). Now he came forward boldly, denouncing the sin committed, and as supreme governor commanding the repudiation of the strange wives. The assembled multitude consented, but urged that the matter... read more
We are many that have transgressed . The marginal rendering, "we have greatly offended in this thing," is nearer to the original. No doubt, however, the greatness of the offence consisted partly in the large number that had offended. read more
A satisfactory close. When a nation has openly resolved on the reformation of a national sin, there is still one thing remaining to be accomplished, viz; that reformation itself. This, accordingly, is that which we read of in the remaining part of this chapter. "As thou hast said, so must we do." Such was the resolve of all as expressed in Ezra 10:12 . In Ezra 10:13-44 , which come before us now, we see that resolve carried out. We shall find that it was so carried out, first, with... read more
The problem solved (10:1-44)People heard of Ezra’s grief and gathered with their families to meet him. They confessed their wrongdoing and promised on oath before Ezra that they would correct it (10:1-5). But the problem could not be solved in a day, for it was widespread and its consequences were far-reaching. Ezra therefore went away to a quiet room in a friend’s house where he could spend the night considering the matter before God. The result was that a meeting of all families was arranged... read more
a time of much rain = the rainy season. transgressed = rebelled. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 . read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 10:6-14
We have here an account of the proceedings upon the resolutions lately taken up concerning the strange wives; no time was lost; they struck when the iron was hot, and soon set the wheels of reformation a-going. 1. Ezra went to the council-chamber where, it is probable, the priests used to meet upon public business; and till he came thither (so bishop Patrick thinks it should be read), till he saw something done, and more likely to be done, for the redress of this grievance, he did neither eat... read more