Ezra 10:4

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

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

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

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

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

Ezra 10:4 delivers a powerful call to action and a promise of unwavering support to Ezra during a critical moment in Israel's post-exilic history. Shechaniah, representing a repentant segment of the community, urges Ezra to take decisive leadership in addressing the widespread sin of intermarriage with foreign women.

Context

Following their return from Babylonian captivity, the Jewish exiles, led by figures like Zerubbabel and later Ezra, began to rebuild their lives and their temple in Jerusalem. However, a significant spiritual compromise emerged: many had taken foreign wives, a direct violation of God's law intended to preserve Israel's spiritual purity and identity (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Upon discovering this, Ezra was deeply distressed, tearing his garment and pulling his hair, and offered a profound prayer of confession and lament (Ezra 9:6-15). It was in this atmosphere of national repentance and distress that Shechaniah, son of Jehiel, stepped forward to encourage Ezra, acknowledging the sin and proposing a covenant to put away the foreign wives.

Key Themes

  • A Call to Decisive Leadership: The phrase "Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee" is a direct charge to Ezra. It recognizes his divine appointment and responsibility to lead the people in spiritual reform, emphasizing that the burden of initiating action rests upon him.
  • Repentance and Confession: Shechaniah's words emerge from a place of genuine sorrow over sin, not just his own but the nation's. This verse highlights how true repentance leads not only to confession but also to a willingness to take difficult, corrective action.
  • Community Support in Obedience: The promise, "we also will be with thee," is crucial. It assures Ezra that he will not be alone in this challenging task. It underscores the importance of communal solidarity and support when pursuing difficult but necessary obedience to God's commands.
  • Courage and Action: "Be of good courage, and do it" is an exhortation to boldness and immediate execution. It implies that the task will be challenging and unpopular, requiring divine strength and human resolve to carry out God's will. This resonates with similar calls to strength found elsewhere in scripture, such as when God charged Joshua (Joshua 1:9).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "Arise" (קוּם - qum) signifies more than just standing up; it implies taking immediate and decisive action. Similarly, "be of good courage" comes from the root חֲזַק (chazaq), meaning to be strong, firm, or courageous. This term is frequently used in the Old Testament when God or a leader calls someone to be strong and resolute in the face of daunting tasks, often implying a reliance on divine power for that strength, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:6.

Practical Application

Ezra 10:4 offers timeless principles for believers today. When faced with known sin or compromise, whether personal or corporate, there is a clear call to "Arise" and take action. It reminds leaders of their responsibility to address difficult issues with courage and integrity. For the community, it emphasizes the vital role of support and solidarity in pursuing righteousness. True repentance is not merely feeling sorry for sin but taking concrete steps to rectify it, even when it requires significant sacrifice. The verse encourages us to be brave in obedience, trusting that God's people, when united in His will, can accomplish challenging reforms.

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.

  • 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.

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