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 10:11KJV
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Ezra 10:11 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:11 mean?

Ezra 10:11 calls the people to admit their wrongdoing to the LORD, act in a way that pleases Him, and separate themselves from the local people and foreign wives they had married. The verse is a direct instruction for the Israelites to turn away from relationships that were against their religious laws at that time.

Ezra, a priest and scribe, is speaking to the returned exiles in Jerusalem after discovering that many had married women from surrounding nations, which was forbidden by their law. The verse comes during a public assembly where Ezra urges the people to confess (admit) their actions, seek to do what God desires, and make a clear break from these marriages and the customs of the local people. This was seen as necessary for the community to restore its covenant relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:11

  • "Confession" (תוֹדָה, todah): This word means an admission or acknowledgment, often of sin or wrongdoing. Here, it emphasizes the need for open honesty before God, not just private regret.
  • "Separate" (בָּדַל, badal): This word means to divide or set apart. In this context, it is a strong call for the people to make a clear distinction between themselves and those practices or relationships that were not in line with their faith.
  • "Strange" (נָכְרִי, nokhri): This word refers to something foreign or outside the community. The "strange wives" were women from other nations, which, according to the law at that time, posed a risk of leading Israel away from their faith.

Why Ezra 10:11 matters

  • Ezra 10:11 clarifies that the issue was not just about marriage but about faithfulness to the community's covenant with God, highlighting the seriousness of their commitment.
  • The verse shows that confession and action go together; it is not enough to admit wrongdoing—Ezra calls for real change in behavior.
  • This verse is key to understanding the larger story in Ezra 9–10, where the community is wrestling with how to maintain its identity and faith after returning from exile.