King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:13 Mean?

Ezra 10:13 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Ezra 10:13 · KJV

Context

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

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. for this: or, till this matter be dispatched

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: Heb. stood

Read Ezra 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain—the congregation acknowledges practical obstacles to immediate resolution. The Hebrew geshem rav (גֶּשֶׁם רָב, 'much rain') refers to the winter rainy season (Kislev, December-January), making outdoor assemblies impossible and travel difficult.

Neither is this a work of one day or two—the community recognizes the magnitude of covenant violation. The phrase mela'kah yom-echad emphasizes that 113 cases of intermarriage (vv. 18-43) require careful adjudication, not hasty judgment. For we are many that have transgressed (harbinu liph'sha ba-davar hazeh)—the verb pasha means 'to rebel,' indicating willful covenant violation, not mere mistake. The confession demonstrates corporate responsibility.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The rainy season in Palestine runs from October through March, with heaviest rainfall in December-January. Outdoor assemblies during this period would be impractical and dangerous. The timeline shows this assembly occurred in the ninth month (Kislev, v. 9), during peak rainy season. The three-month investigation (tenth month to first month, vv. 16-17) extended through winter, allowing proper deliberation rather than mob justice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the people's acknowledgment of practical obstacles demonstrate wisdom in balancing zeal with prudence?
  2. What does the careful three-month process teach about addressing sin in the church—avoiding both laxity and hasty judgment?
  3. How should Christian leaders balance the urgency of addressing sin with the need for due process and individual care?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
אֲבָ֞ל1 of 20

“But”

H61

nay, i.e., truly or yet

הָעָ֥ם2 of 20

“the people”

H5971

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

רָב֙3 of 20

“are many”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְהָעֵ֣ת4 of 20

“and it is a time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

גְּשָׁמִ֔ים5 of 20

“of much rain”

H1653

a shower

וְאֵ֥ין6 of 20
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

כֹּ֖חַ7 of 20

“and we are not able”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

לַֽעֲמ֣וֹד8 of 20

“to stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בַּח֑וּץ9 of 20

“without”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

וְהַמְּלָאכָ֗ה10 of 20

“neither is this a work”

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

לֹֽא11 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לְי֤וֹם12 of 20

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶחָד֙13 of 20

“of one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְלֹ֣א14 of 20
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

לִשְׁנַ֔יִם15 of 20

“or two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

כִּֽי16 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִרְבִּ֥ינוּ17 of 20

“for we are many”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

לִפְשֹׁ֖עַ18 of 20

“that have transgressed”

H6586

to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel

בַּדָּבָ֥ר19 of 20

“in this thing”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַזֶּֽה׃20 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 10:13 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 10:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 7:13-14Ezra 10:18-44

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