Ezra 10:17 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:17 mean?

Ezra 10:17 states that by the first day of the first month, the leaders had finished investigating and dealing with all the men who had married foreign wives. This verse marks the completion of a process where the community leaders addressed the issue of Israelites marrying women from other nations, which was seen as a violation of their covenant.

Ezra is recounting how, after the people confessed to marrying "strange wives," the leaders took time to examine each case. The verse shows that this was a thorough and organized effort, not a hasty or superficial action. The process took several months, reflecting the seriousness with which the community approached the matter and the desire to resolve it by a set date.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:17

• "Strange" (נָכְרִי, nokhri): This word refers to something foreign or alien, in this context meaning wives from outside Israel. It highlights that the concern was about religious and cultural differences, not just ethnicity.
• "Made an end" (כָּלָה, kalah): This word means to complete or finish. Its use here emphasizes that the investigation was brought to a full and final conclusion, not left incomplete.
• "Taken" (יָשַׁב, yashav): Often means "to dwell" or "to settle," but here it is used for those who had "taken" or lived with foreign wives, suggesting established relationships rather than brief encounters.

Why Ezra 10:17 matters

• This verse clarifies that the leaders did not act impulsively but took time to carefully consider each situation, showing a measured approach to a sensitive issue.
• It connects to the wider passage by marking the end of a communal process of repentance and restoration, which was a major theme in Ezra's reforms.
• The verse helps readers see the importance placed on community purity and covenant faithfulness in post-exilic Israel, setting the stage for how the people would seek to maintain their identity going forward.