King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:6 Mean?

Ezra 10:6 in the King James Version says “Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he ca...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.”

Ezra 10:6 · KJV

Context

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.

6

Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.

7

And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;

8

And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. forfeited: Heb. devoted

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away. Ezra withdraws to fast and mourn despite securing the oath. His grief continues unabated—"he did eat no bread, nor drink water" describes complete fasting, the physical discipline accompanying spiritual anguish. The phrase "for he mourned" (mitabbel, intensive form suggesting deep, ongoing grief) shows that achieving political solution didn't satisfy his pastoral heart.

The specific mention of "the transgression" (ma'al) uses the technical term for covenant violation, especially unfaithfulness to God (Leviticus 5:15, Joshua 7:1). This wasn't merely sociological concern about intermarriage but theological grief over breach of sacred covenant. Ezra's mourning reveals that right action must flow from right affection—he didn't implement divorce proceedings from bureaucratic obligation but heartbroken necessity.

Withdrawing to Johanan's chamber provided solitude for intercessory mourning. True spiritual leadership doesn't end with issuing directives but continues in private prayer and fasting. Ezra models the pattern: public action flowing from private intercession. His ongoing grief demonstrates that confronting sin should never become routine or casual, even when repeatedly necessary.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Johanan (Jehohanan) son of Eliashib was the high priest's son, later becoming high priest himself. His chamber would have been in the temple complex, providing private space for Ezra's mourning. This detail shows Ezra's access to the highest levels of religious leadership and the temple precincts.

Fasting accompanied serious prayer in Israelite practice (2 Samuel 12:16, Nehemiah 1:4, Esther 4:16). Complete abstention from food and water could last only a few days without serious health risk, suggesting this fast was relatively brief but intense. Such fasting wasn't manipulating God but physically expressing spiritual desperation and focusing prayer through self-denial.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Ezra's continued mourning after securing the oath teach about the relationship between right action and right affection?
  2. How does his private fasting demonstrate that public leadership requires private spiritual discipline?
  3. When have you experienced grief over sin that extended beyond merely correcting the outward behavior?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיָּ֣קָם1 of 24

“rose up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עֶזְרָ֗א2 of 24

“Then Ezra”

H5830

ezra, an israelite

מִלִּפְנֵי֙3 of 24

“from before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

בֵּ֣ית4 of 24

“the house”

H1004

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

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים5 of 24

“of 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

וַיֵּ֕לֶךְ6 of 24
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל7 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לִשְׁכַּ֖ת8 of 24

“into the chamber”

H3957

a room in a building (whether for storage, eating, or lodging)

יְהֽוֹחָנָ֣ן9 of 24

“of Johanan”

H3076

jehochanan, the name of eight israelites

בֶּן10 of 24

“the son”

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

אֶלְיָשִׁ֑יב11 of 24

“of Eliashib”

H475

eljashib, the name of six israelites

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ12 of 24
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

שָׁ֗ם13 of 24
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לֶ֤חֶם14 of 24

“no bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

לֹֽא15 of 24
H3808

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

אָכַל֙16 of 24

“thither he did eat”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וּמַ֣יִם17 of 24

“water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

לֹֽא18 of 24
H3808

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

שָׁתָ֔ה19 of 24

“nor drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

כִּ֥י20 of 24
H3588

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

מִתְאַבֵּ֖ל21 of 24

“for he mourned”

H56

to bewail

עַל22 of 24
H5921

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

מַ֥עַל23 of 24

“because of the transgression”

H4604

treachery, i.e., sin

הַגּוֹלָֽה׃24 of 24

“of them that had been carried away”

H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

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 10:6 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 10:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 9:18Nehemiah 12:22Nehemiah 3:1John 4:31-34Exodus 34:28Isaiah 22:12

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