Ezra 10:19
And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּתְּנ֥וּ
And they gave
H5414
וַיִּתְּנ֥וּ
And they gave
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 9
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יָדָ֖ם
their hands
H3027
יָדָ֖ם
their hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
2 of 9
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
לְהוֹצִ֣יא
that they would put away
H3318
לְהוֹצִ֣יא
that they would put away
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
3 of 9
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וַֽאֲשֵׁמִ֥ים
and being guilty
H818
וַֽאֲשֵׁמִ֥ים
and being guilty
Strong's:
H818
Word #:
5 of 9
guilty; hence, presenting a sin-offering
אֵֽיל
they offered a ram
H352
אֵֽיל
they offered a ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
צֹ֖אן
of the flock
H6629
צֹ֖אן
of the flock
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
7 of 9
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
Cross References
Leviticus 6:6And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:2 Kings 10:15And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him: and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
Historical Context
The guilt offering (asham) was specifically required for violations involving sacred things and deliberate trespass (Leviticus 5-6). By offering rams, these priests acknowledged their sin as serious covenant violation requiring blood atonement. The public hand-giving ceremony follows ancient Near Eastern treaty-making conventions where physical gestures sealed verbal oaths. Archaeological evidence from Mesopotamia shows similar hand-clasping rituals in legal proceedings.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the public hand-giving oath teach about the importance of accountability and witnesses in repentance?
- How does the guilt offering demonstrate that repentance requires both practical action and spiritual atonement?
- What principles for addressing sin emerge from the combination of immediate action (oath) and ongoing process (divorce and sacrifice)?
Analysis & Commentary
And they gave their hands (vayittenu yadam)—this idiom signifies making a binding oath or covenant commitment (2 Kings 10:15, Ezekiel 17:18). The gesture symbolized pledged faithfulness, making their commitment public and irrevocable.
That they would put away their wives (lehotsi nasheihem)—the verb yatsa (to send out/away) is the technical term for divorce. The willingness to dissolve these marriages, though painful, demonstrated prioritizing covenant with Yahweh over human relationships. This wasn't casual divorce but covenant purification.
And being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass (va'ashemim eil-tson al-ashamatam)—the guilt offering (asham) prescribed in Leviticus 5:14-6:7 for violations requiring restitution. The specific mention of 'a ram' follows Levitical requirements. This demonstrates that repentance required both practical action (divorcing) and ritual atonement (sacrifice). The combination teaches that genuine repentance addresses sin comprehensively—both practical consequences and spiritual guilt.