Esdras - Caput 10

Esdras 10.1 sic ergo orante Ezra et inplorante eo et flente et iacente ante templum Dei collectus est ad eum de Israhel coetus grandis nimis virorum et mulierum puerorumque et flevit populus multo fletu Esdras 10.2 et respondit Sechenia filius Iehihel de filiis Helam et dixit Ezrae nos praevaricati sumus in Deum nostrum et duximus uxores alienigenas de populis terrae et nunc si est paenitentia Israhel super hoc Esdras 10.3 percutiamus foedus cum Deo nostro ut proiciamus universas uxores et eos qui de his nati sunt iuxta voluntatem Domini et eorum qui timent praeceptum Dei nostri secundum legem fiat Esdras 10.4 surge tuum est decernere nosque erimus tecum confortare et fac Esdras 10.5 surrexit ergo Ezras et adiuravit principes sacerdotum Levitarum et omnem Israhel ut facerent secundum verbum hoc et iuraverunt Esdras 10.6 et surrexit Ezras ante domum Dei et abiit ad cubiculum Iohanan filii Eliasib et ingressus est illuc panem non comedit et aquam non bibit lugebat enim in transgressione eorum qui de captivitate venerant Esdras 10.7 et missa est vox in Iuda et in Hierusalem omnibus filiis transmigrationis ut congregarentur in Hierusalem Esdras 10.8 et omnis qui non venerit in tribus diebus iuxta consilium principum et seniorum auferetur universa substantia eius et ipse abicietur de coetu transmigrationis Esdras 10.9 convenerunt igitur omnes viri Iuda et Beniamin in Hierusalem tribus diebus ipse est mensis nonus vicesimo die mensis et sedit omnis populus in platea domus Dei trementes pro peccato et pluviis Esdras 10.10 et surrexit Ezras sacerdos et dixit ad eos vos transgressi estis et duxistis uxores alienigenas ut adderetis super delictum Israhel Esdras 10.11 et nunc date confessionem Domino Deo patrum vestrorum et facite placitum eius et separamini a populis terrae et ab uxoribus alienigenis Esdras 10.12 et respondit universa multitudo dixitque voce magna iuxta verbum tuum ad nos sic fiat Esdras 10.13 verumtamen quia populus multus est et tempus pluviae et non sustinemus stare foris et opus non est diei unius vel duorum vehementer quippe peccavimus in sermone isto Esdras 10.14 constituantur principes in universa multitudine et omnes in civitatibus nostris qui duxerunt uxores alienigenas veniant in temporibus statutis et cum his seniores per civitatem et civitatem et iudices eius donec avertatur ira Dei nostri a nobis super peccato hoc Esdras 10.15 igitur Ionathan filius Asahel et Iaazia filius Thecuae steterunt super hoc et Mesollam et Sebethai Levites adiuverunt eos Esdras 10.16 feceruntque sic filii transmigrationis et abierunt Ezras sacerdos et viri principes familiarum in domum patrum suorum et omnes per nomina sua et sederunt in die primo mensis decimi ut quaererent rem Esdras 10.17 et consummati sunt omnes viri qui duxerant uxores alienigenas usque ad diem primam mensis primi Esdras 10.18 et inventi sunt de filiis sacerdotum qui duxerant uxores alienigenas de filiis Iosue filii Iosedech et fratres eius Maasia et Eliezer et Iarib et Godolia Esdras 10.19 et dederunt manus suas ut eicerent uxores suas et pro delicto suo arietem de ovibus offerrent Esdras 10.20 et de filiis Emmer Anani et Zebedia Esdras 10.21 et de filiis Erim Masia et Helia et Semeia et Hiehihel et Ozias Esdras 10.22 et de filiis Phessur Helioenai Maasia Ismahel Nathanahel Iozabeth et Elasa Esdras 10.23 et de filiis Levitarum Iozabeth et Semei et Celaia ipse est Calita Phataia Iuda et Eliezer Esdras 10.24 et de cantoribus Eliasub et de ianitoribus Sellum et Telem et Uri Esdras 10.25 et ex Israhel de filiis Pharos Remia et Ezia et Melchia et Miamin et Eliezer et Melchia et Banea Esdras 10.26 et de filiis Helam Mathania Zaccharias et Hiehil et Abdi et Irimoth et Helia Esdras 10.27 et de filiis Zethua Helioenai Eliasib Mathania et Ierimuth et Zabeth et Aziza Esdras 10.28 et de filiis Bebai Iohanan Anania Zabbai Athalai Esdras 10.29 et de filiis Bani Mosollam et Melluch et Adaia Iasub et Saal et Ramoth Esdras 10.30 et de filiis Phaethmoab Edna et Chalal Banaias Maasias Mathanias Beselehel et Bennui et Manasse Esdras 10.31 et de filiis Erem Eliezer Iesue Melchias Semeias Symeon Esdras 10.32 Beniamin Maloch Samarias Esdras 10.33 de filiis Asom Matthanai Matthetha Zabed Elipheleth Iermai Manasse Semei Esdras 10.34 de filiis Bani Maaddi Amram et Huhel Esdras 10.35 Baneas et Badaias Cheiliau Esdras 10.36 Vannia Marimuth et Eliasib Esdras 10.37 Matthanias Mathanai et Iasi Esdras 10.38 et Bani et Bennui Semei Esdras 10.39 et Salmias et Nathan et Adaias Esdras 10.40 Mechnedabai Sisai Sarai Esdras 10.41 Ezrel et Selemau Semeria Esdras 10.42 Sellum Amaria Ioseph Esdras 10.43 de filiis Nebu Iaihel Matthathias Zabed Zabina Ieddu et Iohel Banaia Esdras 10.44 omnes hii acceperunt uxores alienigenas et fuerunt ex eis mulieres quae pepererant filios

Esdras : Caput 10

Reflection on Ezra 10 and Mixed Marriages

Chapter 10 of the Book of Ezra presents the people's response to the problem of mixed marriages. This often controversial text highlights the collective repentance of the people of Israel and the decision to separate from their foreign spouses. The measures taken are drastic and reflect the gravity of the sin while highlighting the need for radical action to preserve spiritual purity.

Ezra 10 raises complex questions regarding obedience, mercy, and the consequences of sin. He invites us to explore five biblical passages that resonate with the themes of reform and restoration present in this thought-provoking chapter.

Malachi 2:11

In this verse, we read: "Judah has dealt treacherously, and an abomination has come to Israel and Jerusalem: Judah has defiled the sanctuary the Lord loves by marrying women who worship other gods." This passage addresses the same issue of intermarriage as that addressed in Ezra 10.

Nehemiah 13:23-25

Here, Nehemiah states: "I also saw that some of the Jews had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or the language of another people, and did not know how to speak the language of Judah." This text highlights Nehemiah's confrontation with the same problem of intermarriage, similar to that of Ezra.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4

The divine command in this passage warns us: "Do not marry them. Do not give your daughters to their sons, and do not take their daughters for your sons, for that will turn your sons away from following me to serve others gods." This commandment from the Law of Moses forms the basis for Ezra's actions in his chapter.

2 Corinthians 6:14

Although this verse is rooted in a different context, it resonates with the principle underlying the prohibition of intermarriage in Ezra 10: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers."

Joshua 7:19

Finally, we find Joshua addressing Achan: "Then Joshua said to Achan, 'My son, for the Glory of the Lord, the God of Israel, speak the truth. Tell me what you have done; hide nothing from me." This verse illustrates a leader demanding a confession, similar to Ezra's action in his chapter. As we contemplate these passages, we are invited to reflect on the importance of aligning our life choices with our faith and to consider the spiritual implications of our relationships. May our commitment to God and His Word guide us in our decisions and help us remain faithful to our Christian calling.