Ezra 10:15

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Only Jonathan {H3129} the son {H1121} of Asahel {H6214} and Jahaziah {H3167} the son {H1121} of Tikvah {H8616} were employed {H5975} about this matter: and Meshullam {H4918} and Shabbethai {H7678} the Levite {H3881} helped {H5826} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Only Yonatan the son of 'Asah'el and Yachz'yah the son of Tikvah, supported by Meshulam and Shabtai the Levi, opposed this.

Berean Standard Bible

(Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, opposed this plan.)

American Standard Version

Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 10:15 details the specific appointment of Jonathan, son of Asahel, and Jahaziah, son of Tikvah, as the primary individuals tasked with overseeing the sensitive and challenging investigation into the widespread issue of intermarriage with foreign women among the returned exiles. They were supported in this crucial administrative and judicial role by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, highlighting the organized and determined effort to enforce the covenant and restore the community's spiritual purity after a period of national repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the climactic narrative of Ezra 9-10, which describes the spiritual revival and subsequent practical reforms initiated by Ezra upon his arrival in Jerusalem. Following Ezra's profound prayer of confession and lament in [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer of Confession"), the people responded with deep repentance, publicly confessing their sin of intermarriage and committing to a covenant to put away their foreign wives ([Ezra 10:1-5](/ezra/10-1 "Ezra 10:1-5 - The People's Repentance and Covenant")). Ezra 10:15 marks a crucial administrative step in the implementation of this resolution. It moves from the emotional and spiritual commitment to the practical, difficult, and potentially unpopular task of identifying and addressing each individual case, demonstrating that true repentance necessitates concrete action and organized enforcement. The preceding verses describe the assembly called by Ezra and the decision to appoint a committee to handle the matter, with verse 15 naming the key personnel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-exilic Judah, likely during the reign of Artaxerxes I (mid-5th century BC), after the return from Babylonian captivity. The Israelites had been exiled precisely because of their disobedience, particularly their idolatry and failure to uphold the covenant. Upon their return, the discovery of widespread intermarriage with peoples of the land—a direct violation of Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage"))—posed an existential threat to their identity as God's distinct, holy nation. Such unions often led to syncretism and idolatry, as seen throughout Israel's history (e.g., [1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Idolatry")). The drastic measures taken reflect the profound cultural and religious imperative to maintain the purity of the covenant community and prevent a relapse into the very sins that led to the exile. The "matter" was not merely social but theological, impacting the nation's relationship with Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** Ezra 10:15 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Ezra and the post-exilic period. Firstly, **Covenant Fidelity and Purity** are paramount; the entire reform is driven by the desire to restore Israel's unique identity and holiness before God, aligning with the commands given in [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, for I Am Holy"). Secondly, **Accountability and Enforcement** highlight that true repentance is not merely an emotional act but demands concrete, often painful, steps to align behavior with divine law. The appointment of specific individuals for this task underscores the community's commitment to upholding God's standards. Thirdly, **Courage in Leadership** is evident; the phrase "Only Jonathan... and Jahaziah... were employed" suggests that this was an unpopular and challenging assignment, requiring immense moral courage to confront fellow Israelites, implying a limited number of individuals willing to undertake such a controversial but necessary role. Finally, the verse speaks to the **Practicality of Reform**, demonstrating that spiritual revival must translate into tangible administrative and judicial actions to effect lasting change within the community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Only (Hebrew, _ʾakh_):** This particle often serves to emphasize exclusivity, limitation, or strong affirmation. In Ezra 10:15, its placement at the beginning of the clause strongly suggests that Jonathan and Jahaziah were uniquely, perhaps solely, designated or willing to undertake this difficult and sensitive "matter." It implies a select few were entrusted with this weighty responsibility, possibly due to the unpopularity or inherent challenges of confronting those who had sinned. This highlights their dedication and the seriousness of the task.
* **employed about this [matter] (Hebrew, עַל־זֹאת, _ʿal-zoʾt_):** Literally meaning "concerning this" or "over this," this phrase indicates that Jonathan and Jahaziah were formally appointed, designated, or took responsibility for the specific issue of investigating and resolving the foreign marriages. It signifies a formal engagement with a particular, weighty task, implying a level of authority and oversight in the implementation of the community's resolution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this [matter]:"**: This clause identifies the two principal figures entrusted with the initial and primary oversight of the investigation into the foreign wives. The emphatic "Only" suggests their unique position, either as the sole individuals willing to undertake such a sensitive and potentially confrontational task, or as the specifically designated leaders for this particular phase of the reform. Their names are given with their patronymics, lending formality and specificity to their appointment, underscoring the official nature of their role in the community's effort to rectify widespread sin.
* **"and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them."**: This second clause introduces two additional individuals, Meshullam and Shabbethai, whose role is explicitly defined as providing assistance or support to Jonathan and Jahaziah. The designation "the Levite" for Shabbethai is significant, indicating his tribal affiliation and likely his administrative or religious capacity, which would have been valuable in a matter concerning covenant law and community purity. This shows that while the primary responsibility lay with the initial two, the task was collaborative, requiring a team effort to manage the extensive and complex process of investigating and resolving the numerous cases of intermarriage.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively. The most prominent is **Emphasis**, achieved through the initial word "Only" (אַךְ). This single word immediately draws attention to the select nature of the individuals appointed, underscoring the difficulty, sensitivity, or perhaps the limited willingness of others to engage in such a controversial task. The use of **Specificity** through the naming of four individuals (Jonathan, Jahaziah, Meshullam, and Shabbethai), along with their patronymics (Asahel, Tikvah) and tribal designation (the Levite), lends an air of historical accuracy, administrative transparency, and accountability to the narrative. It highlights that the reform was not a vague decree but a concrete, organized effort with designated personnel. There is also an element of **Narrative Detail**, providing a glimpse into the administrative machinery of the post-exilic community, demonstrating how spiritual repentance was translated into practical, systematic action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 10:15 is a testament to the principle that genuine repentance is not merely an emotional experience but demands concrete, often difficult, action. The appointment of specific individuals to address the sin of intermarriage underscores God's demand for holiness and the community's responsibility to uphold His covenant. This administrative step highlights the practical outworking of spiritual conviction, demonstrating that faith without works is dead. The "matter" of intermarriage was not just a social issue but a profound theological one, threatening the very identity and spiritual integrity of Israel as God's chosen people. The willingness of these men to undertake such a task reflects a deep commitment to God's law and the purification of His people, setting a precedent for the church's ongoing call to maintain purity and address sin within its midst.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Prohibition of Intermarriage")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-17](/2_corinthians/6-14 "Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")
* [James 2:17](/james/2-17 "Faith Without Works Is Dead")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 10:15 offers profound lessons for believers and the church today. It reminds us that spiritual renewal, while beginning with heartfelt repentance and confession, must culminate in decisive action to address sin and align our lives with God's will. Just as Jonathan and Jahaziah were called to undertake a difficult "matter," we too are often called to confront uncomfortable truths or make painful choices for the sake of purity and obedience, whether in our personal lives, families, or church communities. This verse challenges us to consider what "matters" of compromise or disobedience God might be calling us to address with courage and integrity. It also underscores the importance of dedicated, courageous leadership willing to undertake unpopular tasks for the spiritual health of the community, and the necessity of support and collaboration in such endeavors. Ultimately, it calls us to prioritize spiritual purity and covenant fidelity above personal comfort or social acceptance, remembering that God's standards are for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What difficult "matters" might God be calling us to address in our own lives or communities today, similar to the challenge faced in Ezra's time?**
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of true repentance, moving beyond emotion to concrete, sometimes painful, action?**
* **In what ways are we tempted to compromise our spiritual purity, and what practical steps can we take to uphold God's standards, even when it's unpopular?**

### FAQ
**Why was intermarriage such a serious issue for the Israelites?**

Answer: Intermarriage was a grave concern because it directly violated God's covenant commands, specifically those found in [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage"). The primary danger was not racial but religious and spiritual: marrying outside the covenant community often led to assimilation, the adoption of pagan practices, and idolatry, thereby corrupting Israel's unique identity as God's holy people. This compromise threatened to undermine their relationship with Yahweh and repeat the very sins that led to their Babylonian exile, as seen in historical examples like [1 Kings 11:1-8](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-8 - Solomon's Idolatry"), where Solomon's foreign wives led him astray.

**What does the word "Only" imply about Jonathan and Jahaziah?**

Answer: The word "Only" (אַךְ) in the KJV translation of Ezra 10:15 is significant. It suggests that Jonathan and Jahaziah were uniquely, perhaps exclusively, designated or willing to take on this specific and highly sensitive task. This could imply that the work of investigating and confronting those who had taken foreign wives was unpopular, difficult, or even dangerous, making it challenging to find individuals willing to undertake it. Therefore, "Only" highlights their particular dedication, courage, or the limited number of suitable and willing individuals for such a crucial and potentially controversial role within the community.

**How does this administrative action relate to Ezra's prayer in Ezra 9?**

Answer: Ezra's passionate prayer of confession and lament in [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer of Confession") served as the catalyst for the national repentance and spiritual revival that swept through the returned exiles. The administrative action described in [Ezra 10](/ezra/10 "Ezra 10 - The Resolution to the Intermarriage Issue"), including the appointment of Jonathan and Jahaziah in verse 15, is the direct, practical, and necessary outcome of that spiritual awakening. It demonstrates that true repentance is not merely an emotional experience but demands concrete steps of obedience and reform. The prayer initiated the conviction, and the administrative process provided the structured means to implement the required changes, showing a seamless progression from spiritual brokenness to practical restoration of covenant fidelity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The administrative action in Ezra 10:15, aimed at purifying God's people from the defilement of sin, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate work of Christ. While Jonathan and Jahaziah were "only" two individuals appointed to deal with a specific manifestation of sin in a limited community, Jesus Christ is the *only* one appointed by God to deal with the universal problem of sin for all humanity. The desperate need for purity and the painful steps taken by the Israelites to separate themselves from defiling influences point to the perfect and complete purification offered through Christ. He is the true Lamb of God, whose blood cleanses us from all unrighteousness, making us holy and blameless before God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). The administrative work of Ezra's time, while necessary, was a temporary measure dealing with outward conformity; Christ's work is an eternal redemption that transforms the heart and soul, establishing a new covenant where God's law is written on our hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). He is the ultimate leader who, through His sacrifice and Spirit, enables His church to be presented to Himself as "a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Cleansing the Church")). The longing for purity in Ezra's day finds its complete and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly cleanses and sanctifies His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 11:16

And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, [had] the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.

Nehemiah 10:20

Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,

Nehemiah 12:33

And Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,

Nehemiah 3:6

Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.