Ezra 10:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ
H6213
did so
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#2
כֵן֮
H3651
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#3
בְּנֵ֣י
H1121
And the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
הַגּוֹלָה֒
H1473
of the captivity
exile; concretely and collectively exiles
#5
וַיִּבָּֽדְלוּ֩
H914
were separated
to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)
#6
עֶזְרָ֨א
H5830
And Ezra
ezra, an israelite
#7
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
H3548
the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#8
אֲנָשִׁ֨ים
H376
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)
#9
רָאשֵׁ֧י
H7218
chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#10
אֲבֹתָ֖ם
H1
of the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#11
לְבֵ֥ית
H1004
after the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#12
אֲבֹתָ֖ם
H1
of the fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#13
וְכֻלָּ֣ם
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
בְּשֵׁמ֑וֹת
H8034
and all of them by their names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#15
וַיֵּֽשְׁב֗וּ
H3427
and sat down
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#16
בְּי֤וֹם
H3117
day
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
#17
אֶחָד֙
H259
in the first
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#18
לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ
H2320
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#19
הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֔י
H6224
of the tenth
tenth; by abbreviation, tenth month or (feminine) part
#20
לְדַרְי֖וֹשׁ
H1875
to examine
properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
#21
הַדָּבָֽר׃
H1697
the matter
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection