Ezra 10:8

Authorized King James Version

And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וְכֹל֩

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָב֜וֹא

H935

And that whosoever would not come

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לִשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת

H7969

within three

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

הַיָּמִ֗ים

H3117

days

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

כַּֽעֲצַ֤ת

H6098

according to the counsel

advice; by implication, plan; also prudence

הַשָּׂרִים֙

H8269

of the princes

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְהַזְּקֵנִ֔ים

H2205

and the elders

old

#10

יָֽחֳרַ֖ם

H2763

should be forfeited

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

#11

כָּל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#12

רְכוּשׁ֑וֹ

H7399

all his substance

property (as gathered)

#13

וְה֥וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#14

יִבָּדֵ֖ל

H914

and himself separated

to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)

#15

מִקְּהַ֥ל

H6951

from the congregation

assemblage (usually concretely)

#16

הַגּוֹלָֽה׃

H1473

of those that had been carried away

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

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

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

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?