Keraia
Ezra 10

Ezra 10:2

Shecaniah’s Encouragement · Ezra 10:1–5
Read Ezra 10

Translations

Modern
Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel.
Traditional
And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.
Literal
And Shechaniah son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, answered and said to Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have caused foreign wives to dwell from the peoples of the land. Yet there is hope in Israel concerning this.
Latin
Et respondit Sechenias filius Jehiel de filiis Ælam, et dixit Esdræ: Nos prævaricati sumus in Deum nostrum, et duximus uxores alienigenas de populis terræ: et nunc, si est pœnitentia in Israël super hoc,

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel.

Notes

Ezra 10:2

Shecaniah was the first to bravely admit in public that he had been unfaithful to God. Admitting guilt offers hope for forgiveness of sin.

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

Elam: Ancestor of exiles who returned to Jerusalem Ezra: Priest; scribe; led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Jehiel: A leader who married a foreign wife Shecaniah: Israelite who confessed marrying a foreign wife

Glossary

Book of Ezra Elam (Person) Elephantine Papyri First Book of Esdras Jehiel People of the Land Shecaniah, Shechaniah

Topics

Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Sin of, to be Confessed, Deeply Repented of, and Forsaken Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian 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 Jehiel: Father of Shechaniah Magistrates: Good: Samuel Shechaniah: A Jew Who Proposed the Putting Away (Divorce) of Gentile Wives to Ezra