King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:16 Mean?

Ezra 10:16 in the King James Version says “And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of the... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezra 10:16 · King James Version


Context

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

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.

17

And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the children of the captivity did so—despite opposition, the community proceeded with the investigation. The phrase 'children of the captivity' (bene hagolah) emphasizes their identity as returned exiles who knew judgment's consequences firsthand. This motivated covenant faithfulness.

Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers... were separated (hivdalu, הִבְדָּלוּ)—the verb 'separate' is key to Ezra's theology (9:1, 10:11). The commission separated itself to holy work, investigating marriages that violated commanded separation from pagan nations. The judicial panel included family heads who understood kinship complexities.

Sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter (lidhrosh ha-davar)—the verb darash means to investigate thoroughly, seek, inquire. The specific date (Tebeth 1 = December 29, 458 BC) demonstrates historical precision. 'Sat down' indicates formal judicial session, not casual inquiry.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The tenth month (Tebeth) marked the beginning of a three-month investigation ending the first month (Nisan, v. 17). This ninety-day process examined 113 cases, averaging about one case per day—thorough but efficient. The judicial commission represented both religious authority (Ezra the priest) and civil authority (family heads), ensuring legitimacy. Ancient Near Eastern legal proceedings typically involved elders sitting in formal session, hearing testimony and rendering verdicts.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Ezra's thorough three-month investigation teach about balancing urgency with justice in church discipline?
  2. How does the involvement of both religious and civil leaders demonstrate the importance of proper authority in adjudication?
  3. What encouragement does this verse offer for persevering in difficult but necessary reform despite opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ1 of 21

did so

H6213

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

כֵן֮2 of 21
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

בְּנֵ֣י3 of 21

And the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַגּוֹלָה֒4 of 21

of the captivity

H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

וַיִּבָּֽדְלוּ֩5 of 21

were separated

H914

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

עֶזְרָ֨א6 of 21

And Ezra

H5830

ezra, an israelite

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן7 of 21

the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֲנָשִׁ֨ים8 of 21
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

רָאשֵׁ֧י9 of 21

chief

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

אֲבֹתָ֖ם10 of 21

of the fathers

H1

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

לְבֵ֥ית11 of 21

after the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲבֹתָ֖ם12 of 21

of the fathers

H1

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

וְכֻלָּ֣ם13 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּשֵׁמ֑וֹת14 of 21

and all of them by their names

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וַיֵּֽשְׁב֗וּ15 of 21

and sat down

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּי֤וֹם16 of 21

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

אֶחָד֙17 of 21

in the first

H259

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

לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ18 of 21

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֔י19 of 21

of the tenth

H6224

tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part

לְדַרְי֖וֹשׁ20 of 21

to examine

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

הַדָּבָֽר׃21 of 21

the matter

H1697

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


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 10:16 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 10:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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