Ezra 10:3

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.

Now therefore let us make {H3772} a covenant {H1285} with our God {H430} to put away {H3318} all the wives {H802}, and such as are born {H3205} of them, according to the counsel {H6098} of my lord {H136}, and of those that tremble {H2730} at the commandment {H4687} of our God {H430}; and let it be done {H6213} according to the law {H8451}.

We should make a covenant with our God to send away all these wives, along with their children, in obedience to the advice of Adonai and of those who tremble at the mitzvah of our God; let us act in accordance with the Torah.

So now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.

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.

Ezra 10:3 marks a pivotal moment in the post-exilic community of Israel, as the people confront their widespread sin of intermarriage with foreign nations, which was strictly forbidden by God’s law. This verse captures Shechaniah's bold proposal for repentance and covenant renewal.

Context of Ezra 10:3

Following Ezra’s profound prayer of confession and lament in Ezra chapter 9, where he expressed deep anguish over the spiritual defilement of the people, a large assembly gathered, sharing in his grief. Shechaniah, despite being personally affected by the sin (his own family members had taken foreign wives, as seen later in the chapter), steps forward with a decisive solution. He acknowledges the grave transgression against the Lord and proposes a formal, binding commitment to rectify the situation. This proposal arises from a collective sense of conviction and a desire to restore their relationship with God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Radical Repentance and Covenant Renewal: The phrase "let us make a covenant with our God" signifies a solemn commitment to turn away from sin and re-establish their loyalty to the Lord. This was not a superficial apology but a pledge to undertake a painful and costly act of obedience.
  • Obedience to God's Law: The decision to "put away all the wives, and such as are born of them" directly addresses the violation of God’s prohibition against intermarriage with pagan nations, as outlined in Deuteronomy 7:3-4. The emphasis on doing it "according to the law" underscores their commitment to divine authority.
  • Holiness and Separation: This difficult action was deemed necessary to preserve the spiritual purity and distinct identity of Israel as God's chosen people, preventing idolatry and moral corruption that often accompanied such alliances.
  • Godly Counsel and Reverence: The counsel of "my lord" (likely Ezra himself) and "those that tremble at the commandment of our God" highlights the influence of righteous leadership and the importance of heeding those who deeply revere God's word.

Linguistic Insights

The term "covenant" (Hebrew: bĕrît) is central here. It refers to a solemn, binding agreement, often initiated by God, but here proposed by the people in response to their sin. This particular covenant was an act of human initiative to align themselves with God's pre-existing covenant and law. The phrase "tremble at the commandment of our God" (Hebrew: ḥārēd) speaks to a deep, reverential fear of God's word, a respectful awe that compels obedience and signifies true spiritual sensitivity.

Practical Application

Ezra 10:3 offers powerful lessons for believers today. It underscores the seriousness of spiritual compromise and the need for radical obedience when confronted with sin. While the specific cultural context of intermarriage differs, the principle of avoiding relationships or commitments that draw us away from God's will remains vital. It reminds us that true repentance often involves difficult and costly decisions, prioritizing God's standards above personal comfort or societal norms. It also emphasizes the importance of listening to and being influenced by those who genuinely "tremble at the commandment of our God".

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 7:2

    And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

  • Deuteronomy 7:3

    Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.

  • Ezra 9:4

    Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:12

    But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:13

    And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

  • Joshua 23:12

    Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:

  • Joshua 23:13

    Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

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