Ezra 10:14
Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us.
Original Language Analysis
יַֽעֲמְדוּ
stand
H5975
יַֽעֲמְדוּ
stand
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
1 of 28
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 28
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
לְֽכָל
H3605
לְֽכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְכֹ֣ל׀
H3605
וְכֹ֣ל׀
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וָעִ֖יר
in our cities
H5892
וָעִ֖יר
in our cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
8 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַֽהֹשִׁ֞יב
and let all them which have taken
H3427
הַֽהֹשִׁ֞יב
and let all them which have taken
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
9 of 28
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
נָכְרִיּוֹת֙
strange
H5237
נָכְרִיּוֹת֙
strange
Strong's:
H5237
Word #:
11 of 28
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
לְעִתִּ֣ים
times
H6256
לְעִתִּ֣ים
times
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
13 of 28
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
וְעִמָּהֶ֛ם
H5973
וְעִמָּהֶ֛ם
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
15 of 28
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וָעִ֖יר
in our cities
H5892
וָעִ֖יר
in our cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
17 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וָעִ֖יר
in our cities
H5892
וָעִ֖יר
in our cities
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
18 of 28
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְשֹֽׁפְטֶ֑יהָ
and the judges
H8199
וְשֹֽׁפְטֶ֑יהָ
and the judges
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
19 of 28
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
עַ֠ד
H5704
עַ֠ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
20 of 28
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
לְהָשִׁ֞יב
be turned
H7725
לְהָשִׁ֞יב
be turned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
21 of 28
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
אַף
wrath
H639
אַף
wrath
Strong's:
H639
Word #:
23 of 28
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
of our God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙
of our God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
24 of 28
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֔נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
25 of 28
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
26 of 28
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 29:10Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.2 Chronicles 30:8Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.Numbers 25:4And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
Historical Context
The proposal for scheduled hearings reflects Persian legal influence—the empire operated through local magistrates and appointed officials. The 'elders and judges' of each city would investigate local cases, bringing results to central authority. This protected individuals from mob action while ensuring thorough justice. The three-month timeline (vv. 16-17) demonstrates this deliberate process.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this structured approach to discipline demonstrate the balance between holiness and justice?
- What does the concern for 'fierce wrath' teach about the corporate consequences of tolerating sin in the church?
- How can modern church discipline processes learn from this model of delegated authority and individual hearings?
Analysis & Commentary
Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand—the proposal suggests delegated authority through representatives (sarim, leaders/officials) rather than mass assembly. This demonstrates organizational wisdom in crisis management.
Let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times (le'ittim mezummanim)—scheduled appointments allowed individual cases to receive proper attention. The phrase 'strange wives' (nashim nokhriyot) refers not to ethnicity per se but to covenant outsiders who worshiped other gods, threatening Israel's spiritual identity.
Until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us—the goal was removing divine charon aph (חֲרוֹן אַף, 'burning anger'). This phrase appears throughout Scripture in contexts of covenant violation (Exodus 32:12, Numbers 25:4). The theology recognizes that unaddressed sin brings corporate judgment, while repentance averts wrath.