Ezra 10:2 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:2 mean?

Ezra 10:2 describes Shechaniah, a descendant of Elam, admitting to Ezra that the people of Israel have sinned by marrying foreign women, but he also expresses hope that there is still a way forward for Israel despite this wrongdoing. The verse highlights both confession of guilt and the belief that restoration is possible.

Shechaniah is speaking directly to Ezra, who is a priest and scribe leading a reform among the returned exiles in Jerusalem. The situation is tense because many Israelites have married women from the surrounding nations, which was seen as disobedience to God's commands at that time. Shechaniah’s words acknowledge this failure but also introduce the idea that hope remains if the people respond rightly.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:2

• The word for "trespassed" is מָעַל (maʿal), which often means to act unfaithfully or to break trust, especially in a religious sense. This shows that the issue is not just about marriage but about breaking faith with God.
• The word for "strange" is נָכְרִי (nokhrí), meaning foreign or non-Israelite. This emphasizes that the wives were from outside the community, which was significant for the identity and religious purity of Israel at the time.
• The word for "hope" is מִקְוֶה (miqveh), which can mean expectation or something to look forward to. Here, it suggests that even after serious failure, there is still a possibility for renewal if the people act.

Why Ezra 10:2 matters

• This verse clarifies that the community recognized their actions as a serious breach of faith, not just a social issue, which sets the tone for the rest of the chapter.
• The mention of "hope" is important because it shows that repentance and restoration are possible, even after significant wrongdoing.
• The verse connects to the wider passage by introducing the process of confession and reform that Ezra will lead, showing both the gravity of the problem and the possibility of change.