Ezra 10:8

And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.

And that whosoever would not come {H935} within three {H7969} days {H3117}, according to the counsel {H6098} of the princes {H8269} and the elders {H2205}, all his substance {H7399} should be forfeited {H2763}, and himself separated {H914} from the congregation {H6951} of those that had been carried away {H1473}.

and that whoever didn't come within three days, in answer to the summons from the officials and leaders, would forfeit all he owned and himself be banished from the community of the exiles.

Whoever failed to appear within three days would forfeit all his property, according to the counsel of the leaders and elders, and would himself be expelled from the assembly of the exiles.

and that whosoever came not within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the assembly of the captivity.

Ezra 10:8 records a stern decree issued by the leaders of Israel during the post-exilic period, emphasizing the urgency and seriousness of their commitment to reform. This verse outlines the severe penalties for those who failed to comply with the assembly's summons regarding the widespread issue of intermarriage with foreign women.

Context of Ezra 10:8

Following their return from Babylonian captivity, the Jewish community in Jerusalem faced a significant spiritual crisis: many had taken foreign wives, a direct violation of God's covenant commands intended to preserve their distinct identity and prevent idolatry. Ezra 9 details the prophet Ezra's profound distress and prayer over this sin. In Ezra 10, a large assembly gathered, and a resolution was made to address this transgression. Verse 8 specifies the consequences for any individual who did not present themselves at this critical gathering within three days, as commanded by the 'counsel of the princes and the elders'.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Covenant Fidelity and Obedience: The decree underscores the absolute necessity of adhering to God's law, particularly the prohibition against intermarriage found in passages like Deuteronomy 7:3-4. The community recognized that their past disobedience led to exile, and they were determined to prevent a recurrence.
  • Purity and Separation: The forceful action aimed to purify the community, ensuring Israel remained distinct from the surrounding pagan nations. This separation was crucial for their spiritual health and their role as God's chosen people.
  • Community Accountability and Discipline: The decision was not arbitrary but came from the "counsel of the princes and the elders," highlighting a communal responsibility to uphold God's standards. The severe penalties served as a deterrent and a clear message about the gravity of the sin.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse explicitly states two major consequences: forfeiture of property and expulsion from the congregation. This demonstrates that sin has tangible, often harsh, repercussions, impacting both material possessions and one's standing within the religious community.

Linguistic Insights

The term "forfeited" comes from the Hebrew word charam (חָרַם), which in other contexts can mean "to devote to destruction" or "to utterly destroy." Here, it signifies that the person's possessions would be confiscated, effectively separating them from their economic and social stability. "Separated from the congregation" translates the Hebrew badal (בָּדַל), meaning "to divide," "to distinguish," or "to exclude." This was a form of religious excommunication, stripping the individual of their rights and privileges within the covenant community, a very severe punishment akin to losing one's identity as an Israelite.

Practical Application

While the specific context of Ezra 10:8 relates to ancient Israel's unique covenant, the principles it embodies remain relevant. It reminds believers today of:

  • The importance of spiritual purity and avoiding "unequal yokes" or alliances that compromise one's faith and commitment to God (2 Corinthians 6:14).
  • The seriousness of sin and the need for decisive repentance. Lingering in disobedience can have severe consequences, not just for the individual but for the entire community.
  • The role of spiritual leadership in guiding the community towards obedience and sometimes enforcing difficult, yet necessary, discipline for the sake of corporate holiness.
  • The understanding that true belonging in God's people requires alignment with His will. While God's grace abounds, there are still consequences for persistent, unrepentant disobedience, which can affect one's fellowship with the believing community.
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.

  • Ezra 7:26

    And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether [it be] unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.

  • Matthew 18:17

    And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

  • Joshua 6:19

    But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, [are] consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

  • Leviticus 27:28

    Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, [both] of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing [is] most holy unto the LORD.

  • John 16:2

    They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.

  • 1 Samuel 11:7

    And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent [them] throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

  • Nehemiah 13:3

    Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude.
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