Ezra 10:5

Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

Then arose {H6965} Ezra {H5830}, and made the chief {H8269} priests {H3548}, the Levites {H3881}, and all Israel {H3478}, to swear {H7650} that they should do {H6213} according to this word {H1697}. And they sware {H7650}.

'Ezra stood up, and he made the chief cohanim, the L'vi'im and all Isra'el swear that they would act according to what had been said; and they took the oath.

So Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said. And they took the oath.

Then arose Ezra, and made the chiefs of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they would do according to this word. So they sware.

Commentary

Ezra 10:5 KJV captures a critical moment of national commitment and spiritual purification in the post-exilic history of Israel. Following a period of profound repentance, Ezra, the dedicated scribe and priest, takes decisive action to formalize the people's resolve to obey God's law.

Context

This verse is situated in the aftermath of the Jewish exiles' return from Babylon to Judah. Ezra had been deeply grieved by the widespread sin of intermarriage with foreign women, which was a direct violation of God's commands and a significant threat to the spiritual integrity of the community (Ezra 9:2). Moved by Ezra's distress and their own conviction of sin, the people had already expressed their willingness to enter into a covenant to put away their foreign wives and children (Ezra 10:3). Ezra 10:5 details Ezra's immediate and authoritative step to ensure this proposed reform was not just talk, but a binding commitment.

Key Themes

  • Decisive Leadership: Ezra's action of "arising" demonstrates his strong, resolute leadership. He actively guides the people from confession to concrete action, ensuring the spiritual renewal process is effectively implemented.
  • Covenant and Purity: The oath taken by the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel was a solemn recommitment to the Mosaic Law, particularly regarding the separation from pagan influences. This act was crucial for restoring the nation's covenant relationship with God and preserving its unique identity as a holy people, as emphasized in passages like Deuteronomy 7:3-4.
  • Corporate Responsibility and Commitment: The involvement of "all Israel" highlights the communal nature of both sin and repentance. Their collective oath signifies a shared understanding of their national transgression and a unified commitment to rectify it, mirroring other significant moments of national covenant renewal in Israel's history, such as during the time of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 9:38).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "made ... to swear" translates the Hebrew verb שָׁבַג (shava'), which means "to swear an oath," "to take an oath," or "to make a covenant." This is not a casual promise but a solemn, binding declaration, often invoked in the presence of God. In ancient Israel, taking such an oath carried immense spiritual and social weight, implying serious consequences for its violation.

Practical Application

Ezra 10:5 offers valuable insights for contemporary believers:

  • Action After Conviction: The verse reminds us that true repentance moves beyond mere regret to decisive action. When confronted with sin, individually or corporately, there must be a tangible commitment to change.
  • The Gravity of Our Vows: Whether it's commitments made in marriage, baptism, or personal prayer, this passage underscores the seriousness of our vows before God. Our "yes" should be a firm and binding "yes," as taught by Jesus in Matthew 5:37.
  • Leadership in Purity: Leaders within the church, communities, and families are called to not only teach God's word but also to lead by example and facilitate environments where faithfulness and spiritual purity are upheld.
  • Communal Accountability: The collective oath emphasizes the importance of mutual accountability and shared responsibility within a faith community for maintaining spiritual health and adherence to God's principles.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Story of Ezra: A Scribe Devoted to the Law Ezra: The Scribe Who Led a Spiritual Revival An Introduction to Ezra: Return and Rebuilding

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 13:25

    And I contended with them, and cursed them, and smote certain of them, and plucked off their hair, and made them swear by God, [saying], Ye shall not give your daughters unto their sons, nor take their daughters unto your sons, or for yourselves.

  • Nehemiah 5:12

    Then said they, We will restore [them], and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.

  • Proverbs 9:9

    Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning.

  • Matthew 26:63

    But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

  • Proverbs 25:11

    ΒΆ A word fitly spoken [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver.

  • Proverbs 25:12

    [As] an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [so is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

  • Proverbs 15:23

    ΒΆ A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word [spoken] in due season, how good [is it]!
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