Ezra 10:44

KJV

All these had taken strange wives: and [some] of them had wives by whom they had children.

KJV (with Strong's)

All these had taken {H5375}{H5375} strange {H5237} wives {H802}: and some of them had {H3426} wives {H802} by whom they had {H7760} children {H1121}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All these had taken foreign wives, and some of them had wives by whom they had had children.

Berean Standard Bible

All these men had married foreign women, and some of them had children by these wives.

American Standard Version

All these had taken foreign wives; and some of them had wives by whom they had children.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 10:44 serves as the somber, conclusive statement to the detailed list of men in post-exilic Judah who had married foreign women, a direct and grievous violation of God's covenant commands. This verse starkly underscores the pervasive nature of this spiritual compromise, emphasizing that "all these" individuals were implicated across various societal strata. It then highlights the particularly painful and complex dimension of the problem by noting that "some of them had wives by whom they had children," revealing the deeply entrenched consequences of their disobedience and the profound personal cost involved in the subsequent act of national repentance and separation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 10:44 brings to a poignant close the extensive and agonizing process of dealing with the widespread intermarriage that had afflicted the returned exiles. The chapter opens with Ezra's profound grief and prayer over the sin of the people, leading to a national confession and a solemn covenant to separate from foreign wives and their children, as detailed in [Ezra 10:1-5](/ezra/10-1-5 "Ezra 10:1-5 - The People's Repentance and Covenant"). Following this, a three-month investigation and judicial process is meticulously described, culminating in the resolution found in [Ezra 10:16-17](/ezra/10-16-17 "Ezra 10:16-17 - The Investigation and Resolution"). The bulk of the chapter, from [Ezra 10:18-43](/ezra/10-18-43 "Ezra 10:18-43 - List of Men Who Married Foreign Women"), meticulously lists the names of the men from various families and priestly lines who were found guilty of this transgression. Verse 44 acts as a concluding summary statement for this entire list, providing a final, stark assessment of the scope and depth of the problem before the book of Ezra transitions to the book of Nehemiah, which continues the narrative of rebuilding and reform in Jerusalem.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Ezra 10 occur during the post-exilic period, likely around 458 BC, following the return of a Jewish contingent from Babylon under Ezra's leadership. The community was fragile, attempting to re-establish its identity and worship in Jerusalem after seventy years of exile, which had been a direct consequence of their ancestors' idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. The prohibition against intermarriage with surrounding pagan peoples was deeply rooted in Mosaic Law, particularly in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:1-4](/deuteronomy/7-1-4 "Deuteronomy 7:1-4 - Warning Against Intermarriage"). This divine command was designed to protect Israel's spiritual purity and prevent assimilation into idolatrous cultures, ensuring their distinct covenant relationship with Yahweh. The fear was that such unions would lead to the adoption of foreign gods and customs, diluting their unique identity. The presence of children from these unions, as explicitly noted in [Ezra 10:44](/ezra/10-44 "Ezra 10:44 - The Consequence of Intermarriage"), highlights the profound societal and familial entanglement, making the required separation an agonizing and unprecedented act of radical obedience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several key themes prevalent throughout the book of Ezra and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **covenant purity and separation**, emphasizing God's unwavering demand for His people to remain distinct and undefiled by the pagan practices of surrounding nations. The intermarriage was seen as a direct threat to Israel's identity as a holy nation, a "kingdom of priests" as proclaimed in [Exodus 19:6](/exodus/19-6 "Exodus 19:6 - Israel as a Holy Nation"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **gravity and pervasive nature of disobedience**. The phrase "All these" and the lengthy list preceding it demonstrate that this was not an isolated issue but a widespread spiritual malaise affecting various segments of the community, even the priestly lines. Finally, [Ezra 10:44](/ezra/10-44 "Ezra 10:44 - The Consequence of Intermarriage") powerfully illustrates the **painful consequences of sin and the cost of true repentance**. The fact that children were involved made the act of putting away foreign wives exceptionally difficult, revealing that genuine repentance often demands radical, costly, and emotionally wrenching sacrifices to restore covenant faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **taken (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** The Hebrew verb נָשָׂא (_nâsâʼ_, H5375) means "to lift, bear, carry, take." In this context, it specifically implies "to take" a wife, which can also carry the nuance of "marry." The use of this verb underscores the deliberate action of these men in forming these unions, which were a direct contravention of God's law. It highlights their active participation in the spiritual compromise that threatened the integrity of the returned community.
* **strange (Hebrew, _nokrîy'_):** The Hebrew adjective נָכְרִיּ (_nokrîy_, H5237) means "strange, foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different." In the biblical context, "strange" (or foreign) wives were not merely non-Israelite ethnically, but, more critically, they were outside the covenant community of Yahweh. These women typically brought with them their pagan customs and gods, posing a direct threat to the spiritual purity and distinct identity of God's people. The term implies a spiritual and relational alienness that jeopardized Israel's unique relationship with God.
* **children (Hebrew, _bên'_):** The Hebrew noun בֵּן (_bên_, H1121) primarily means "son," but in its widest sense, it refers to offspring or children. The inclusion of this detail in the verse is profoundly significant. It signifies that the sin of intermarriage had progressed beyond mere marital union to the creation of new family units and generations. These children, by their very existence, were entangled in the spiritual compromise, making the required separation profoundly more complex, emotionally agonizing, and socially disruptive. It underscores the deep and lasting consequences of covenant disobedience that extend beyond the immediate offenders to innocent parties.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All these had taken strange wives":** This opening clause serves as a comprehensive summary statement for the preceding list of names (Ezra 10:18-43). The phrase "All these" unequivocally underscores the widespread and pervasive nature of the transgression, indicating that the problem of intermarriage was not isolated to a few individuals but was a deeply ingrained issue affecting a significant portion of the community of returned exiles. It emphasizes the collective failure to uphold the covenant and maintain spiritual purity, setting the stage for the severe and painful measures required for national repentance and restoration.
* **"and [some] of them had wives by whom they had children.":** This second clause adds a crucial and poignant detail to the summary. While the first clause states that "all" had taken foreign wives, this specifies that a subset of these unions had progressed to the point of bearing children. This detail highlights the deeply entrenched nature of the sin and its far-reaching, intergenerational consequences. The presence of children made the act of putting away the foreign wives exponentially more difficult and emotionally painful, as it involved breaking apart established families and directly impacting innocent offspring. It underscores the profound cost of disobedience and the radical, uncompromising nature of the repentance demanded by God for the restoration of covenant faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 10:44 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and somber message. The most prominent is **Summary**, as the verse functions as a concise yet comprehensive concluding statement for the lengthy and detailed list of names in the preceding verses, drawing a final, overarching observation about the extent of the problem. The phrase "All these" provides a strong sense of **Universality** or **Scope**, emphasizing that the transgression was not limited to a few isolated individuals but was a widespread societal issue among the returned exiles, affecting various levels of the community. The inclusion of the detail about "wives by whom they had children" introduces a stark element of **Consequence**, highlighting the deeply personal, familial, and intergenerational ramifications of their disobedience. There is also an implicit **Irony** in the fact that a community recently exiled for unfaithfulness quickly fell back into a similar pattern of spiritual compromise, demonstrating the persistent struggle against assimilation and the human propensity for disobedience. The verse's concise yet impactful nature also lends it a sense of **Finality**, marking the end of the painful process of identifying the offenders and setting the stage for the drastic actions to follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 10:44 profoundly illustrates the Old Testament emphasis on covenant fidelity and the severe, far-reaching consequences of spiritual compromise. The prohibition against intermarriage was never merely about ethnicity but about maintaining the distinct, holy identity of Israel as God's chosen people, set apart to bear His name and witness to the nations. The widespread nature of this sin, especially among leaders and priests, revealed a deep spiritual malaise and a failure to learn from the past exilic judgment. The painful reality of children born from these unions underscored that sin's ripple effects extend beyond the individual, impacting families and future generations, necessitating radical and often agonizing measures for true repentance and restoration of covenant purity. This episode serves as a stark reminder that genuine commitment to God's commands sometimes requires painful separation from anything that compromises one's spiritual integrity or identity in Christ.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition Against Intermarriage")
* [Nehemiah 13:23-27](/nehemiah/13-23-27 "Nehemiah 13:23-27 - Nehemiah's Action Against Intermarriage")
* [Malachi 2:10-16](/malachi/2-10-16 "Malachi 2:10-16 - Condemnation of Divorce and Intermarriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 10:44, though set in a specific historical context, offers timeless principles for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder of the insidious nature of spiritual compromise and the far-reaching consequences of disobedience. Just as Israel was called to be distinct, believers are called to live as a holy people, set apart for God's purposes, avoiding entanglements that could dilute their faith or draw them away from Him. This principle extends beyond marriage to all close relationships, associations, and commitments—whether business partnerships, deep friendships, or even the media we consume. The verse challenges us to consider the "children" of our own compromises—the unintended and often painful outcomes that arise when we prioritize personal desires, cultural norms, or worldly acceptance over God's clear commands. True repentance, as demonstrated by the Israelites, often requires radical, costly, and emotionally difficult actions to sever ties with anything that hinders our full devotion to Christ. It calls for an honest assessment of areas where we might be unequally yoked or where our spiritual integrity is subtly eroding, prompting us to make the necessary, albeit painful, sacrifices for genuine restoration and purity before God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be forming "unequal yokes" or subtly compromising my spiritual distinctiveness as a follower of Christ?**
* **What are the "children" or unintended, painful consequences that have arisen from past compromises or disobedience in my life or relationships?**
* **What difficult, costly, or emotionally challenging steps might genuine repentance require of me today to restore full obedience and purity before God?**
* **How does the community's painful but resolute response in Ezra 10 encourage or challenge my own commitment to radical obedience, even when it's unpopular or personally costly?**

### FAQ
**Why was intermarriage such a serious sin in Ezra's time, and is it still applicable today?**

Answer: In Ezra's time, intermarriage was a serious sin because it directly violated God's covenant commands given in the Torah (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Warning Against Intermarriage")). The primary concern was not ethnic purity but spiritual purity. Marrying outside the covenant community meant bringing foreign gods and idolatrous practices into the Israelite household, which historically led to spiritual apostasy and the dilution of Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people. This was a major reason for their previous exile. Today, while the specific cultural context differs, the underlying principle of spiritual distinctiveness remains vitally important for believers. The New Testament warns against being "unequally yoked" with unbelievers ([2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")), especially in marriage, because of the potential for spiritual compromise and hindrance to one's walk with Christ. The goal is to maintain purity of faith and devotion to God, ensuring that our closest relationships support, rather than undermine, our spiritual journey and commitment to Christ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 10:44, with its stark portrayal of the consequences of spiritual compromise and the painful cost of repentance, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's emphasis on Israel's purity and separation foreshadows the spiritual purity and holiness that God desires for His new covenant people, the Church. While the Law demanded a physical separation from foreign wives and their children, a painful tearing apart of families, Christ offers a radical spiritual transformation that cleanses us from within. He is the ultimate Lamb of God, whose sacrifice takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making true reconciliation with God possible without the need for such agonizing external measures. In Christ, we are called to a new kind of separation—a separation from the world's values and sinful practices ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Do Not Be Conformed to This World")), not through physical divorce, but through spiritual renewal and a renewed mind. Our identity is no longer defined by ethnic lineage or adherence to external laws, but by our union with Christ, becoming part of His spiritual family ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in Christ")). The "children" of our sin, the painful consequences that ripple through our lives, are ultimately borne by Christ on the cross, offering us forgiveness and the power to live in radical obedience to Him, not out of legalistic compulsion, but out of love and gratitude for His redemptive work ([Ephesians 2:4-5](/ephesians/2-4-5 "Ephesians 2:4-5 - God's Grace Through Christ")).

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

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.

Proverbs 2:16

To deliver thee from the strange woman, [even] from the stranger [which] flattereth with her words;

Proverbs 5:20

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

Proverbs 5:3

For the lips of a strange woman drop [as] an honeycomb, and her mouth [is] smoother than oil: