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Ezra 10

Ezra 10:15

The People’s Confession of Sin · Ezra 10:6–17
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Translations

Modern
(Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, opposed this plan.)
Traditional
Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
Literal
(Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahaziah son of Tikvah stood against this. And Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supported them.)
Latin
Igitur Jonathan filius Azahel, et Jaasia filius Thecue, steterunt super hoc, et Messollam et Sebethai Levites adjuverunt eos:

Original

Hebrew
English
(Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, opposed this plan.)

Notes

Ezra 10:15

It is unclear why these four people opposed the plan. They might have wanted a stricter penalty, or perhaps they or their family members did not want to divorce their foreign wives. The fact that there were only four dissenters shows the policy had overwhelming support among the rest of the exiles. Sadly, a few years later, a similar problem of intermarriage with foreign wives created another crisis within the community (Nehemiah 9–10).

Ezra 9:1–10:44

Ezra addressed the issue of marrying idol-worshipping foreigners. The Jewish leaders had permitted this practice, even though the early settlers had promised to stay away from pagan influences (Ezra 4:1–5). Ezra prayed for the nation and assisted those who felt guilty about their sins to correct their actions.

People

Asahel: Opposed Ezra's dissolution of mixed marriages Jahzeiah: Opposed Ezra's command for Israelites to divorce foreign wives Jonathan: Opposed divorcing foreigners, with Jahzeiah and Meshullam Levi: Son of Jacob; progenitor of the Levites Meshullam: Opposed Ezra's plan to put away foreign wives Shabbethai: Levite who opposed Ezra's marriage reforms Tikvah: Opposed Ezra's reforms regarding foreign wives

Glossary

Asahel Book of Ezra Elephantine Papyri Ezra (Person) First Book of Esdras Genealogy Jahaziah Jahzeiah Jonathan Marriage, Marriage Customs Meshullam Shabbethai Tikvah

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Sin of, to be Confessed, Deeply Repented of, and Forsaken Ammonites: Jews Intermarry With Asahel: Father of Jonathan Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Decision: Israelites Divorce: Forced on Those Who had Idolatrous Wives Divorce: General Scriptures Concerning Ezra: A Famous Scribe and Priest: Exhorts People to Put Away Their Heathen Wives Jahaziah: A Returned Exile Jonathan: Son of Asahel Meshullam: A Returned Exile Shabbethai: A Levite, Assistant to Ezra Tikvah: Father of Jahaziah