Ezra 10:6 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:6 mean?

Ezra 10:6 describes how Ezra left the area in front of God’s house and went into a private room belonging to Johanan, the son of Eliashib. There, Ezra refused to eat or drink because he was deeply grieving over the unfaithfulness of the people who had returned from exile.

Ezra, a priest and scribe, is responding to the news that many Israelites had broken God’s law by marrying foreign women, which was seen as a serious transgression. His actions—fasting and mourning in private—show his personal sorrow and sense of responsibility for the community’s sin. This moment comes after a public gathering where the people confessed their wrongdoing, and it marks Ezra’s deep emotional involvement in seeking restoration for the people.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:6

• The word for "mourned" is אָבַל (’aval), which means to grieve or lament deeply. This shows that Ezra’s response was not just ritual fasting but genuine sorrow.
• The word for "transgression" is מַעַל (ma‘al), which often refers to a breach of faith or an act of unfaithfulness, especially in a covenant relationship. This highlights that the issue was not just a rule-breaking but a betrayal of trust with God.
• The word for "chamber" is לִשְׁכָּה (lishkah), meaning a specific room or chamber, often within the temple complex. This detail suggests Ezra sought a place set apart for reflection and prayer, not just any private space.

Why Ezra 10:6 matters

• This verse clarifies that Ezra’s grief was personal and intense, not just a public display; he withdrew to mourn privately, emphasizing the seriousness of the people’s sin.
• The focus on "transgression" (ma‘al) shows that the problem was a spiritual breach, not just a social or ethnic issue, which helps avoid misunderstandings about the nature of the sin.
• Ezra’s actions set the tone for the community’s response in the following verses, showing that true repentance involves both public confession and personal sorrow.