Ezra 10:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Arise {H6965}; for this matter {H1697} belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage {H2388}, and do {H6213} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Stand up, and do your duty, for we are with you; take courage, and do it!"

Berean Standard Bible

Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we will support you. Be strong and take action!”

American Standard Version

Arise; for the matter belongeth unto thee, and we are with thee: be of good courage, and do it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 10:4 serves as a pivotal moment in the post-exilic narrative, capturing Shechaniah's urgent call for Ezra to assume decisive leadership in addressing the grave sin of intermarriage with foreign women. It encapsulates a profound challenge to action, an assurance of unwavering communal support, and a powerful exhortation to courage and immediate obedience in the face of a daunting spiritual crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Ezra's profound prayer of confession and lament in [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra's Prayer of Confession"). Overwhelmed by the widespread sin of intermarriage among the returned exiles, Ezra had torn his garment and pulled his hair, entering a state of deep mourning and intercession. His public display of grief and his heartfelt prayer, acknowledging the nation's guilt before God, created an atmosphere of corporate conviction and repentance. Shechaniah, though himself implicated in the sin (his father, Jehiel, is later listed among those who had taken foreign wives in [Ezra 10:26](/ezra/10-26 "Ezra 10:26 - List of those who had taken foreign wives")), steps forward as a representative voice of a repentant remnant. His words in [Ezra 10:2-3](/ezra/10-2 "Ezra 10:2-3 - Shechaniah's Confession and Proposal") acknowledge the transgression and propose a covenant to put away the foreign wives and their children, setting the stage for this direct appeal to Ezra for leadership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the early post-exilic period, roughly 80 years after the first wave of exiles returned under Zerubbabel. The community was still fragile, attempting to re-establish its identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh in the land of Judah. The Law of Moses, particularly [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage"), strictly forbade intermarriage with the surrounding pagan nations, not primarily for racial purity but for the preservation of spiritual purity and the distinct identity of Israel as God's holy people. Such unions inevitably led to syncretism, idolatry, and a dilution of the covenant faith, threatening the very purpose of Israel's existence and their unique role in God's redemptive plan. The return from exile was meant to be a spiritual renewal, but this widespread sin indicated a failure to truly learn from the past judgments that led to the Babylonian captivity.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several crucial themes. Firstly, it highlights the **necessity of decisive spiritual leadership** in times of moral compromise, emphasizing that certain responsibilities "belong" to those divinely appointed. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **genuine repentance**, which moves beyond mere sorrow for sin to concrete, often difficult, actions of rectification, as seen in Shechaniah's proposal. Thirdly, it champions the vital role of **communal solidarity and support** in pursuing corporate obedience and reform. Ezra is assured he will not stand alone, illustrating that difficult reforms require a united front. Finally, the exhortation to "be of good courage, and do it" speaks to the theme of **bold obedience** and the courage required to confront entrenched sin, echoing similar divine charges to leaders like Joshua in [Joshua 1:9](/joshua/1-9 "Joshua 1:9 - Be Strong and Courageous").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arise (Hebrew, _qum'_):** This imperative verb signifies more than simply standing up; it is a powerful call to action, to rise to the occasion, to take initiative, and to begin a task. It implies a transition from a state of inactivity or distress (as Ezra was in [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer and Distress")) to one of immediate, purposeful engagement. It often carries a sense of urgency and determination.
* **Be of good courage (Hebrew, _chazaq'_):** Derived from the root חֲזַק (chazaq), this word means "to be strong, firm, courageous, resolute, or bold." It is frequently used in the Old Testament to encourage individuals, especially leaders, facing daunting tasks or opposition, often implying that this strength is divinely enabled. It suggests a steadfastness of purpose and a refusal to be intimidated by the difficulty or unpopularity of the task at hand.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Arise;":** This is a direct, urgent command to Ezra, signaling the immediate need for him to move from his posture of lament and distress (as described in [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer and Distress")) to one of active leadership. It is a call to shake off despair and engage with the crisis.
* **"for this matter belongeth unto thee:":** This clause clearly identifies Ezra's unique responsibility and authority. As a priest and scribe "skilled in the Law of Moses" ([Ezra 7:6](/ezra/7-6 "Ezra 7:6 - Ezra's Skill in the Law")), he was divinely appointed and humanly recognized as the one with the spiritual and legal authority to address the widespread violation of God's covenant. The burden of initiating and overseeing this reform was uniquely his.
* **"we also will be with thee:":** This is a crucial promise of solidarity and support from Shechaniah and, by extension, the repentant segment of the community. It assures Ezra that he will not be isolated in this difficult and potentially unpopular task. It highlights the importance of communal backing for leadership in pursuing righteousness, transforming a solitary burden into a shared mission.
* **"be of good courage, and do it.":** This final exhortation combines a call for inner fortitude with a demand for outward action. "Be of good courage" acknowledges the immense challenge and potential opposition Ezra would face, requiring divine strength and human resolve. "And do it" is a direct command for immediate, decisive implementation of the proposed covenant and the necessary reforms. It emphasizes that true repentance culminates in concrete steps of obedience.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 10:4 is rich in **Exhortation** and **Direct Address**, as Shechaniah directly appeals to Ezra. The verse employs **Imperative Mood** ("Arise," "be of good courage," "do it") to convey urgency and command. There is a strong sense of **Affirmation** and **Solidarity** in the phrase "we also will be with thee," which serves to bolster Ezra's resolve. The structure moves from a call to internal disposition ("be of good courage") to external action ("do it"), demonstrating a logical progression from resolve to execution. This concise statement functions as a **Call to Action**, initiating the significant spiritual reform detailed in the remainder of [Ezra 10](/ezra/10 "Ezra 10 - The Covenant to Put Away Foreign Wives").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 10:4 powerfully illustrates the principle that genuine repentance, both individual and corporate, must culminate in decisive action to rectify sin. It underscores God's expectation for His people to maintain holiness and distinctiveness, especially after experiencing His judgment and restoration. The verse also highlights the divine pattern of calling leaders to courageous action in confronting moral decay, and the essential role of the community in supporting such leadership. It teaches that spiritual reform is not a passive process but requires bold initiative, communal accountability, and unwavering commitment to God's commands, even when the cost is high.

* [Deuteronomy 31:6](/deuteronomy/31-6 "Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be Strong and Courageous")
* [Joshua 1:9](/joshua/1-9 "Joshua 1:9 - God's Charge to Joshua")
* [1 Corinthians 16:13](/1_corinthians/16-13 "1 Corinthians 16:13 - Stand Firm in the Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 10:4 provides a timeless template for addressing difficult truths and pursuing righteousness in any community, whether a family, a church, or an organization. It challenges us to "Arise" when we recognize sin or compromise, refusing to remain passive in the face of spiritual decay. For those in leadership, it is a reminder that certain matters "belong" to them—a divine trust to lead with integrity, even when the path is unpopular or painful. For every believer, it underscores the importance of communal support: we are called not only to confess our own sins but also to stand in solidarity with those who lead us towards obedience, offering our "we also will be with thee" in prayer, encouragement, and practical assistance. Ultimately, true repentance is not merely feeling sorry for sin, but taking concrete, courageous steps to align our lives and our communities with God's perfect will, trusting that He will empower us to "do it."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "matter" might God be calling me, or my community, to "Arise" and address with courage today?**
* **In what ways can I better support those in leadership who are striving to uphold biblical truth, even when it's difficult?**
* **What specific "doing it" (action) is required of me, or us, after acknowledging sin or compromise?**

### FAQ

**Why was intermarriage considered such a grave sin in Ezra's time, warranting such drastic action?**

Answer: Intermarriage was considered a grave sin not primarily due to racial prejudice, but because it posed a direct threat to Israel's spiritual purity and covenant identity. The Law of Moses, particularly in [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage"), explicitly forbade marriage with individuals from the surrounding pagan nations. The concern was that these foreign spouses would introduce idolatry and pagan practices into the Israelite households, leading the people away from the worship of Yahweh. This had been a recurring problem throughout Israel's history, often resulting in national apostasy and divine judgment (e.g., [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - Baal of Peor")). After the devastating Babylonian exile, which was a direct consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness, the returned remnant was meant to be a holy seed, a people wholly devoted to God. Intermarriage represented a dangerous compromise that threatened to repeat the very sins that led to their captivity, undermining their distinctiveness as God's chosen people and their role in His redemptive plan. The drastic action of putting away foreign wives, though painful, was seen as a necessary measure to preserve the integrity of the covenant community and prevent further spiritual corruption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 10:4, with its urgent call to decisive action against sin and its emphasis on courageous leadership, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Ezra, as a faithful leader, was called to address the corporate sin of his people and restore them to covenant obedience. Christ, however, is the supreme Leader who not only identifies sin but decisively deals with it. While Ezra called for separation from foreign wives to preserve the purity of Israel, Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), takes away the sin of the world, making true spiritual purity possible through His sacrifice. He "arose" from the dead, demonstrating ultimate victory over sin and death, and He calls His followers to "arise" and follow Him, to "be of good courage" in a hostile world, and to "do it"—to live lives of radical obedience and proclaim the Gospel. The promise "we also will be with thee" foreshadows the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence, assuring believers that they are never alone in their spiritual battles ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")). Christ's work on the cross was the ultimate "doing it" that secured our reconciliation with God, enabling us to be a holy people, set apart not by external laws of marriage but by the transforming power of His Spirit, united with Him as His pure bride ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")).

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

1 Chronicles 28:10

Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do [it].

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Hebrews 12:12

Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

Hebrews 12:13

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

1 Chronicles 22:19

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD.

Isaiah 35:3

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.