King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:19 Mean?

Ezra 10:19 in the King James Version says “And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for th...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.”

Ezra 10:19 · KJV

Context

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.

19

And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.

20

And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.

21

And of the sons of Harim; Maaseiah, and Elijah, and Shemaiah, and Jehiel, and Uzziah.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they gave their hands (vayittenu yadam)—this idiom signifies making a binding oath or covenant commitment (2 Kings 10:15, Ezekiel 17:18). The gesture symbolized pledged faithfulness, making their commitment public and irrevocable.

That they would put away their wives (lehotsi nasheihem)—the verb yatsa (to send out/away) is the technical term for divorce. The willingness to dissolve these marriages, though painful, demonstrated prioritizing covenant with Yahweh over human relationships. This wasn't casual divorce but covenant purification.

And being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass (va'ashemim eil-tson al-ashamatam)—the guilt offering (asham) prescribed in Leviticus 5:14-6:7 for violations requiring restitution. The specific mention of 'a ram' follows Levitical requirements. This demonstrates that repentance required both practical action (divorcing) and ritual atonement (sacrifice). The combination teaches that genuine repentance addresses sin comprehensively—both practical consequences and spiritual guilt.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The guilt offering (asham) was specifically required for violations involving sacred things and deliberate trespass (Leviticus 5-6). By offering rams, these priests acknowledged their sin as serious covenant violation requiring blood atonement. The public hand-giving ceremony follows ancient Near Eastern treaty-making conventions where physical gestures sealed verbal oaths. Archaeological evidence from Mesopotamia shows similar hand-clasping rituals in legal proceedings.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the public hand-giving oath teach about the importance of accountability and witnesses in repentance?
  2. How does the guilt offering demonstrate that repentance requires both practical action and spiritual atonement?
  3. What principles for addressing sin emerge from the combination of immediate action (oath) and ongoing process (divorce and sacrifice)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וַיִּתְּנ֥וּ1 of 9

“And they gave”

H5414

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

יָדָ֖ם2 of 9

“their hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לְהוֹצִ֣יא3 of 9

“that they would put away”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

נְשֵׁיהֶ֑ם4 of 9

“their wives”

H802

a woman

וַֽאֲשֵׁמִ֥ים5 of 9

“and being guilty”

H818

guilty; hence, presenting a sin-offering

אֵֽיל6 of 9

“they offered a ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

צֹ֖אן7 of 9

“of the flock”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

עַל8 of 9
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַשְׁמָתָֽם׃9 of 9

“for their trespass”

H819

guiltiness, a fault, the presentation of a sin-offering

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 10:19 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 10:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 6:62 Kings 10:152 Chronicles 30:8Galatians 2:9Lamentations 5:6Leviticus 6:4

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