Ezra 10:44

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Ezra 10:44 concludes a lengthy list of men who had transgressed God's law by marrying foreign women during the post-exilic period. This verse specifically highlights the widespread nature of the problem ("All these had taken strange wives") and the deeply entrenched consequences, noting that "some of them had wives by whom they had children," making the subsequent act of separation profoundly challenging.

Context

This verse is found at the very end of Ezra chapter 10, which details the significant reform efforts led by the scribe Ezra after he arrived in Jerusalem. The Jewish community, recently returned from Babylonian exile, had fallen into widespread intermarriage with the surrounding pagan peoplesโ€”a clear violation of God's covenant commands (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Ezra's passionate prayer and the subsequent confession of the people (see Ezra 10:1-3) led to a solemn agreement to put away these foreign wives and their children. The preceding verses (Ezra 10:18-43) meticulously list the individuals involved, underscoring the gravity and pervasiveness of the sin.

Key Themes

  • Covenant Purity and Separation: The primary concern behind the prohibition of intermarriage was the preservation of Israel's spiritual purity and their unique identity as God's chosen people. Marrying outside the covenant community often led to the adoption of idolatrous practices and dilution of faith, as seen throughout Israel's history.
  • The Gravity of Disobedience: The extensive list of names and the concluding statement of Ezra 10:44 emphasize the widespread nature of this sin. The fact that many of these unions had produced children ("had wives by whom they had children") underscores the deep entanglement and the painful, complex nature of the repentance required. It highlights that sin often has far-reaching and difficult consequences.
  • Radical Obedience and Repentance: The act of putting away wives and children was an extremely painful and drastic measure, demonstrating a commitment to radical obedience to God's law above personal ties. It signifies a profound national repentance and a desire to renew their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

Linguistic Insights

The term "strange wives" in the KJV translates the Hebrew word ื ึธื›ึฐืจึดื™ึผึธื” (*nakriyah*), which means "foreign" or "alien." It refers not just to their nationality but, more significantly, to their non-Israelite religious and cultural background. The concern was not merely ethnic but spiritual: these women adhered to different gods and customs, posing a direct threat to the spiritual integrity of the Israelite community.

Practical Application

While the specific cultural context of Ezra's time is distinct, the principles behind Ezra 10:44 remain highly relevant for believers today:

  • Guard Against Spiritual Compromise: Believers are called to maintain spiritual purity and avoid relationships or influences that could lead them away from God (see 2 Corinthians 6:14 on being "unequally yoked"). This applies not only to marriage but to all close associations and commitments that could compromise faith or draw one towards worldly values.
  • The Cost of Disobedience: This verse serves as a powerful reminder that disobedience to God's commands, especially those concerning spiritual integrity, can lead to deep and painful consequences, affecting not only individuals but also families and communities.
  • The Necessity of True Repentance: Genuine repentance often requires painful and costly actions to rectify wrongs and restore a right relationship with God. It involves turning away from sin, even when it means making difficult sacrifices.
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Cross-References

  • Ezra 10:3 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 5:20 (2 votes)

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

  • Proverbs 5:3 (2 votes)

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