King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:11 Mean?

Ezra 10:11 in the King James Version says “Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the p...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Ezra 10:11 · KJV

Context

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 great: Heb. the showers

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. have taken: Heb. have caused to dwell, or, have brought back

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.

12

Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.

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. we are many: or, we have greatly offended in this thing

Read Ezra 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Ezra's address includes three imperatives: confess (tenu todah), do God's pleasure (asu retsono), and separate (hibbadelu). The phrase "make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers" requires acknowledging sin specifically to YHWH, the covenant God. Todah (confession) literally means "giving thanks/acknowledgment"—here acknowledging guilt, not expressing gratitude.

"Do his pleasure" (retsono) refers to God's will/delight, using language of relationship and desire. God's "pleasure" isn't arbitrary preference but holy will rooted in His character. The separation He demands flows from His holiness and covenant jealousy. Obedience is framed not as slavish duty but as aligning with what pleases the covenant Lord.

The double separation—"from the people of the land, and from the strange wives"—addresses both general syncretism and specific marriages. "People of the land" (ammei ha-aretz) were non-Jewish populations whose religious practices threatened covenant purity. "Strange wives" (nashim nokhriyyot) specifically targets foreign women married contrary to Torah. The Hebrew hibbadelu (separate) is the same root used for God's holiness—being set apart, distinct, not mixed. Israel must reflect God's separateness through covenant distinctiveness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Confession (todah) was essential to covenant restoration (Leviticus 5:5, Joshua 7:19). It meant publicly acknowledging specific sin, not generic admission of imperfection. This confession would have involved admitting they knew the marriages violated Torah but proceeded anyway—confession of knowing disobedience, not innocent mistake.

"People of the land" (am ha-aretz) became a technical term in post-exilic literature for those who hadn't maintained covenant faithfulness during the exile. They may have included Israelites who remained in the land, Samaritans, and various gentile groups. Separating from them didn't mean avoiding all contact but refusing religious syncretism and covenant-violating alliances (like intermarriage).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does true confession differ from vague admission of "mistakes" or "poor choices"?
  2. What does framing obedience as "doing God's pleasure" teach about the nature of the covenant relationship?
  3. How should Christians practice separation from the world without becoming isolationist or self-righteous?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 14
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

תְּנ֥וּ2 of 14

“Now therefore make”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

תוֹדָ֛ה3 of 14

“confession”

H8426

properly, an extension of the hand, i.e., (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration; specifically, a choir of worshippers

לַֽיהוָ֥ה4 of 14

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵֽי5 of 14

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם6 of 14

“of your fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַֽעֲשׂ֣וּ7 of 14

“and do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

רְצוֹנ֑וֹ8 of 14

“his pleasure”

H7522

delight (especially as shown)

וְהִבָּֽדְלוּ֙9 of 14

“and separate”

H914

to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)

מֵֽעַמֵּ֣י10 of 14

“yourselves from the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֔רֶץ11 of 14

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וּמִן12 of 14
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַנָּשִׁ֖ים13 of 14

“wives”

H802

a woman

הַנָּכְרִיּֽוֹת׃14 of 14

“and from the strange”

H5237

strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 10:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 10:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 12:2Leviticus 26:40-42Isaiah 1:16-18Joshua 7:19Deuteronomy 7:3-4Proverbs 28:13

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