And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.

EZRA 10:16KJV
Know the Bible

Ezra 10:16 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:16 mean?

Ezra 10:16 describes how the returned exiles, led by Ezra the priest and certain family leaders, set themselves apart by name and began investigating the issue of intermarriage on the first day of the tenth month. The verse shows the community taking organized, careful steps to address a serious matter among them.

Ezra, along with selected heads of families, is named as taking responsibility for this investigation. The verse highlights that this was a formal process, with individuals separated out and the work beginning on a specific date. The context is a response to the discovery that some Israelites had married foreign wives, which was seen as a problem needing thoughtful examination.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:16

  • "Separated" (בָּדַל, badal): This word means to set apart or distinguish. Here, it shows that Ezra and the leaders were officially designated for this task, emphasizing the seriousness and orderliness of the process.
  • "Examine" (דָּרַשׁ, darash): This word means to seek, inquire, or investigate. The use of this word shows that the leaders were not making hasty judgments but were carefully looking into each case.
  • "Matter" (דָּבָר, davar): This word can mean "word," "thing," or "matter." In this context, it refers specifically to the issue of intermarriage, showing that the investigation was focused and purposeful.

Why Ezra 10:16 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the response to the problem was not impulsive or handled by just one person, but was a community effort led by recognized leaders.
  • It shows that the investigation was organized and began on a set date, underlining the seriousness and transparency of the process.
  • By naming Ezra and the heads of families, the verse connects the action to both spiritual and social leadership, showing the importance of both in guiding the community.

Where else these words appear

“Ezra” Hebrew H5830 · used in 22 verses

  • Ezra 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
  • Ezra 10:6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.
  • Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.

“tenth” Hebrew H6224 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 8:5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
  • Deuteronomy 23:2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
  • Isaiah 6:13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

“separated” Hebrew H914 · used in 40 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Numbers 8:14 Thus shalt thou separate the Levites from among the children of Israel: and the Levites shall be mine.
  • Ezra 6:21 And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat,

“captivity” Hebrew H1473 · used in 41 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.
  • Ezra 10:8 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.
  • Ezekiel 1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.