Ezra 10:11
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Ezra 10:11
11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
Chapter Context
Ezra 10 is a historical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, judgment, covenant. Written during the post-exilic return (c. 458-440 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The Persian Empire allowed religious freedom while maintaining political control.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-44: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Ezra and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Ezra 10:11
11 Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
Analysis
Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Ezra's address includes three imperatives: confess (tenu todah), do God's pleasure (asu retsono), and separate (hibbadelu). The phrase "make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers" requires acknowledging sin specifically to YHWH, the covenant God. Todah (confession) literally means "giving thanks/acknowledgment"—here acknowledging guilt, not expressing gratitude.
"Do his pleasure" (retsono) refers to God's will/delight, using language of relationship and desire. God's "pleasure" isn't arbitrary preference but holy will rooted in His character. The separation He demands flows from His holiness and covenant jealousy. Obedience is framed not as slavish duty but as aligning with what pleases the covenant Lord.
The double separation—"from the people of the land, and from the strange wives"—addresses both general syncretism and specific marriages. "People of the land" (ammei ha-aretz) were non-Jewish populations whose religious practices threatened covenant purity. "Strange wives" (nashim nokhriyyot) specifically targets foreign women married contrary to Torah. The Hebrew hibbadelu (separate) is the same root used for God's holiness—being set apart, distinct, not mixed. Israel must reflect God's separateness through covenant distinctiveness.
Historical Context
Confession (todah) was essential to covenant restoration (Leviticus 5:5, Joshua 7:19). It meant publicly acknowledging specific sin, not generic admission of imperfection. This confession would have involved admitting they knew the marriages violated Torah but proceeded anyway—confession of knowing disobedience, not innocent mistake.
"People of the land" (am ha-aretz) became a technical term in post-exilic literature for those who hadn't maintained covenant faithfulness during the exile. They may have included Israelites who remained in the land, Samaritans, and various gentile groups. Separating from them didn't mean avoiding all contact but refusing religious syncretism and covenant-violating alliances (like intermarriage).
Reflection
- How does true confession differ from vague admission of "mistakes" or "poor choices"?
- What does framing obedience as "doing God's pleasure" teach about the nature of the covenant relationship?
- How should Christians practice separation from the world without becoming isolationist or self-righteous?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- References God: Ezra 10:3, Joshua 7:19, Romans 12:2
- Parallel theme: Proverbs 28:13