Ezra 10:16
And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ
did so
H6213
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ
did so
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כֵן֮
H3651
כֵן֮
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
And the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַגּוֹלָה֒
of the captivity
H1473
הַגּוֹלָה֒
of the captivity
Strong's:
H1473
Word #:
4 of 21
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
וַיִּבָּֽדְלוּ֩
were separated
H914
וַיִּבָּֽדְלוּ֩
were separated
Strong's:
H914
Word #:
5 of 21
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
7 of 21
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֲנָשִׁ֨ים
H376
אֲנָשִׁ֨ים
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
רָאשֵׁ֧י
chief
H7218
רָאשֵׁ֧י
chief
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
9 of 21
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אֲבֹתָ֖ם
of the fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֖ם
of the fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
10 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְבֵ֥ית
after the house
H1004
לְבֵ֥ית
after the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 21
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבֹתָ֖ם
of the fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֖ם
of the fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
12 of 21
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְכֻלָּ֣ם
H3605
וְכֻלָּ֣ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בְּשֵׁמ֑וֹת
and all of them by their names
H8034
בְּשֵׁמ֑וֹת
and all of them by their names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
14 of 21
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וַיֵּֽשְׁב֗וּ
and sat down
H3427
וַיֵּֽשְׁב֗וּ
and sat down
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
15 of 21
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בְּי֤וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֤וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 21
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
אֶחָד֙
in the first
H259
אֶחָד֙
in the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֔י
of the tenth
H6224
הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֔י
of the tenth
Strong's:
H6224
Word #:
19 of 21
tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
Historical Context
The tenth month (Tebeth) marked the beginning of a three-month investigation ending the first month (Nisan, v. 17). This ninety-day process examined 113 cases, averaging about one case per day—thorough but efficient. The judicial commission represented both religious authority (Ezra the priest) and civil authority (family heads), ensuring legitimacy. Ancient Near Eastern legal proceedings typically involved elders sitting in formal session, hearing testimony and rendering verdicts.
Questions for Reflection
- What does Ezra's thorough three-month investigation teach about balancing urgency with justice in church discipline?
- How does the involvement of both religious and civil leaders demonstrate the importance of proper authority in adjudication?
- What encouragement does this verse offer for persevering in difficult but necessary reform despite opposition?
Analysis & Commentary
And the children of the captivity did so—despite opposition, the community proceeded with the investigation. The phrase 'children of the captivity' (bene hagolah) emphasizes their identity as returned exiles who knew judgment's consequences firsthand. This motivated covenant faithfulness.
Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers... were separated (hivdalu, הִבְדָּלוּ)—the verb 'separate' is key to Ezra's theology (9:1, 10:11). The commission separated itself to holy work, investigating marriages that violated commanded separation from pagan nations. The judicial panel included family heads who understood kinship complexities.
Sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter (lidhrosh ha-davar)—the verb darash means to investigate thoroughly, seek, inquire. The specific date (Tebeth 1 = December 29, 458 BC) demonstrates historical precision. 'Sat down' indicates formal judicial session, not casual inquiry.