Ezra 10:13
But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing.
Original Language Analysis
הָעָ֥ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֥ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
רָב֙
are many
H7227
רָב֙
are many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
3 of 20
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְהָעֵ֣ת
and it is a time
H6256
וְהָעֵ֣ת
and it is a time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
4 of 20
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
כֹּ֖חַ
and we are not able
H3581
כֹּ֖חַ
and we are not able
Strong's:
H3581
Word #:
7 of 20
vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)
לַֽעֲמ֣וֹד
to stand
H5975
לַֽעֲמ֣וֹד
to stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
8 of 20
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
בַּח֑וּץ
without
H2351
בַּח֑וּץ
without
Strong's:
H2351
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors
וְהַמְּלָאכָ֗ה
neither is this a work
H4399
וְהַמְּלָאכָ֗ה
neither is this a work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
לְי֤וֹם
day
H3117
לְי֤וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
16 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לִפְשֹׁ֖עַ
that have transgressed
H6586
לִפְשֹׁ֖עַ
that have transgressed
Strong's:
H6586
Word #:
18 of 20
to break away (from just authority), i.e., trespass, apostatize, quarrel
Historical Context
The rainy season in Palestine runs from October through March, with heaviest rainfall in December-January. Outdoor assemblies during this period would be impractical and dangerous. The timeline shows this assembly occurred in the ninth month (Kislev, v. 9), during peak rainy season. The three-month investigation (tenth month to first month, vv. 16-17) extended through winter, allowing proper deliberation rather than mob justice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the people's acknowledgment of practical obstacles demonstrate wisdom in balancing zeal with prudence?
- What does the careful three-month process teach about addressing sin in the church—avoiding both laxity and hasty judgment?
- How should Christian leaders balance the urgency of addressing sin with the need for due process and individual care?
Analysis & Commentary
But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain—the congregation acknowledges practical obstacles to immediate resolution. The Hebrew geshem rav (גֶּשֶׁם רָב, 'much rain') refers to the winter rainy season (Kislev, December-January), making outdoor assemblies impossible and travel difficult.
Neither is this a work of one day or two—the community recognizes the magnitude of covenant violation. The phrase mela'kah yom-echad emphasizes that 113 cases of intermarriage (vv. 18-43) require careful adjudication, not hasty judgment. For we are many that have transgressed (harbinu liph'sha ba-davar hazeh)—the verb pasha means 'to rebel,' indicating willful covenant violation, not mere mistake. The confession demonstrates corporate responsibility.