King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Sh'khanyah the son of Yechi'el, one of the descendants of 'Eilam, spoke up and said to 'Ezra, "We have acted treacherously toward our God by marrying foreign women from the peoples of the land. But in spite of this, there is still hope for Isra'el.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel.
American Standard Version:
And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land: yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Shechaniah{H7935} the son{H1121} of Jehiel{H3171}, one of the sons{H1121} of Elam{H5867}, answered{H6030} and said{H559} unto Ezra{H5830}, We have trespassed{H4603} against our God{H430}, and have taken{H3427} strange{H5237} wives{H802} of the people{H5971} of the land{H776}: yet now there is{H3426} hope{H4723} in Israel{H3478} concerning this thing.
Cross-References (KJV):
Nehemiah 13:27
- Shall we then hearken unto you to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives?
Ezra 9:2
- For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of [those] lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
Exodus 34:12
- Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:
Jeremiah 3:12
- ¶ Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; [and] I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I [am] merciful, saith the LORD, [and] I will not keep [anger] for ever.
Jeremiah 3:13
- Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Ezra 10:26
- And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.
Isaiah 55:6
- ¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
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Commentary for Ezra 10:2
Ezra 10:2 is set within the historical context of the post-exilic period, after the Babylonian exile when a group of Jews had returned to Jerusalem with the intention of reestablishing their religious and cultural identity. The verse captures a pivotal moment in this process of restoration.
In this verse, Shechaniah, identified as the son of Jehiel and a descendant of the sons of Elam, addresses Ezra, a priest and scribe who played a crucial role in leading the returned exiles. Shechaniah acknowledges a collective sin: the Jews who had returned from exile had intermarried with the local inhabitants of the land, which was considered a breach of the Mosaic Law that commanded religious and ethnic separation to maintain the purity of their faith and heritage.
The mention of "strange wives" refers to marriages with non-Jewish women, which was seen as a threat to the religious integrity of the Jewish community. Shechaniah's confession reflects a broader recognition among the people of their disobedience to God's commands. However, his words also convey a sense of hope and a call to action. By stating "yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing," Shechaniah suggests that the situation can be rectified if the community takes decisive steps to repent and separate themselves from these foreign influences.
This verse encapsulates themes of communal sin, repentance, and the desire to remain faithful to God's covenant amidst the challenges of assimilation. It speaks to the tension between cultural integration and religious purity, a tension that was particularly acute during this period of rebuilding and redefining Jewish identity in the land of their ancestors. The acknowledgment of wrongdoing and the expressed hope for reconciliation with God underscore the importance of maintaining religious distinctiveness in the face of cultural pressures.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7935
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁכַנְיָה
Transliteration: Shᵉkanyâh
Pronunciation: shek-an-yaw'
Description: or (prolonged) שְׁכַנְיָהוּ; from שָׁכַן and יָהּ; Jah has dwelt; Shekanjah, the name of nine Israelites; Shecaniah, Shechaniah. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3171
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְחִיאֵל
Transliteration: Yᵉchîyʼêl
Pronunciation: yekh-ee-ale'
Description: or (2 Chronicles 29:14) יְחַוְאֵל; from חָיָה and אֵל; God will live; Jechiel (or Jechavel), the name of eight Israelites; Jehiel. - Strong's Number: H5867
There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵילָם
Transliteration: ʻÊylâm
Pronunciation: ay-lawm'
Description: or עוֹלָם; (Ezra 10:2; Jeremiah 49:36), probably from עָלַם; hidden, i.e. distant; Elam, a son of Shem and his descendants, with their country; also of six Israelites; Elam. - Strong's Number: H6030
There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנָה
Transliteration: ʻânâh
Pronunciation: aw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H5830
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶזְרָא
Transliteration: ʻEzrâʼ
Pronunciation: ez-raw'
Description: a variation of עֶזְרָה; Ezra, an Israelite; Ezra. - Strong's Number: H4603
There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָעַל
Transliteration: mâʻal
Pronunciation: maw-al'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously; transgress, (commit, do a) trespass(-ing). - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; 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 deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H3427
There are 980 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשַׁב
Transliteration: yâshab
Pronunciation: yaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry; (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. - Strong's Number: H5237
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נׇכְרִי
Transliteration: nokrîy
Pronunciation: nok-ree'
Description: from נֶכֶר (second form); strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful); alien, foreigner, outlandish, strange(-r, woman). - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H776
There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶרֶץ
Transliteration: ʼerets
Pronunciation: eh'-rets
Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. - Strong's Number: H3426
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֵשׁ
Transliteration: yêsh
Pronunciation: yaysh
Description: perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist; entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive verb (הָיָה); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection); (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. - Strong's Number: H4723
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִקְוֶה
Transliteration: miqveh
Pronunciation: mik-veh'
Description: or מִקְוֵה; (1 Kings 10:28), or מִקְוֵאlemma מִּקְוֵא extra dagesh, corrected to מִקְוֵא; (2 Chronicles 1:16), from קָוָה; something waited for, i.e. confidence (objective or subjective); also a collection, i.e. (of water) a pond, or (of men and horses) a caravan or drove; abiding, gathering together, hope, linen yarn, plenty (of water), pool. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel.