Ezra 10:44

Authorized King James Version

All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
אֵ֕לֶּה
these or those
#3
נָשְׂא֖וּ
All these had taken
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#4
נָשִׁ֔ים
wives
a woman
#5
נָכְרִיּ֑וֹת
strange
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
#6
וְיֵ֣שׁ
and some of them had
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
#7
מֵהֶ֣ם
they (only used when emphatic)
#8
נָשִׁ֔ים
wives
a woman
#9
וַיָּשִׂ֖ימוּ
by whom they had
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#10
בָּנִֽים׃
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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Ezra. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezra Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection