King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:3 Mean?

Ezra 10:3 in the King James Version says “Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to ...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. to put: Heb. to bring forth”

Ezra 10:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. wept: Heb. wept a great weeping

2

And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.

3

Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. to put: Heb. to bring forth

4

Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.

5

Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

Read Ezra 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. Shecaniah proposes a radical covenant (berit) to resolve the crisis. The phrase "put away" (hotzi, from yatsa, "to go out/send away") refers to formal divorce proceedings, not casual abandonment. This required legal process with certificates (Deuteronomy 24:1) and likely provisions for the women and children, though Scripture doesn't detail those arrangements.

Shecaniah's reference to "those that tremble" (hacharedim) at God's commandment echoes Isaiah 66:2,5—the remnant who revere God's Word above social pressure. The insistence "let it be done according to the law" (kattorah) grounds this painful action in divine command, not human preference. The Torah explicitly forbade marriage to Canaanite peoples (Deuteronomy 7:3-4) because such unions inevitably led to idolatry.

This covenant represents corporate commitment to drastic obedience. The phrase "and such as are born of them" reveals the tragedy—families must be separated to preserve covenant integrity. While deeply troubling to modern sensibilities, the text prioritizes theological fidelity over emotional comfort, viewing covenant unfaithfulness as existential threat to the community's relationship with God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Shecaniah ben Jehiel speaks despite his own father being among the offenders (Ezra 10:26). His proposal came approximately 458 BC during Ezra's governorship in post-exilic Jerusalem. The community faced existential crisis: violating the very commands whose transgression had caused the Babylonian exile. The previous generation had lost everything—temple, city, land—because of covenant unfaithfulness. Now the restoration community risked repeating those sins.

Ancient Near Eastern marriage practices made intermarriage politically expedient for establishing alliances and social stability. The returned exiles numbered perhaps 50,000 in a region populated by much larger groups. Marrying into local populations seemed pragmatic for survival. However, Torah explicitly forbade such marriages because pagan spouses consistently drew Israelites into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8, Nehemiah 13:26).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Shecaniah's proposal demonstrate that true covenant loyalty sometimes requires painful obedience that contradicts human wisdom?
  2. What does the phrase "those that tremble at the commandment" teach about the remnant's distinguishing characteristic?
  3. How should Christians balance compassion for human relationships with uncompromising obedience to God's revealed will?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְעַתָּ֣ה1 of 16
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

נִֽכְרָת2 of 16

“Now therefore let us make”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

בְּרִ֣ית3 of 16

“a covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ4 of 16

“of our 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

לְהוֹצִ֨יא5 of 16

“to put away”

H3318

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

כָל6 of 16
H3605

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

נָשִׁ֜ים7 of 16

“all the wives”

H802

a woman

וְהַנּוֹלָ֤ד8 of 16

“and such as are born”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

מֵהֶם֙9 of 16
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בַּֽעֲצַ֣ת10 of 16

“of them according to the counsel”

H6098

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

אֲדֹנָ֔י11 of 16
H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

וְהַֽחֲרֵדִ֖ים12 of 16

“and of those that tremble”

H2730

fearful; also reverential

בְּמִצְוַ֣ת13 of 16

“at the commandment”

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ14 of 16

“of our 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

וְכַתּוֹרָ֖ה15 of 16

“according to the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

יֵֽעָשֶֽׂה׃16 of 16

“and let it be done”

H6213

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

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 10:3 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 10:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 7:2-3Ezra 9:4Joshua 23:12-13Psalms 119:1201 Corinthians 7:12-132 Chronicles 34:21

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