Ezra 10:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Shechaniah proposes a solemn covenant to separate from the foreign marriages, done in the fear of God and according to the law.
What Does Ezra 10:3 Mean?
Shechaniah moves from confession to a concrete proposal: a binding covenant before God to put away the foreign wives and their children, following Ezra's counsel and the counsel of those who tremble at God's word. He insists the action be carried out according to the law, not by raw impulse. This is a hard, costly remedy aimed at protecting Israel's loyalty to the LORD.
The passage shows a people determined that repentance must reach beyond feeling into action, and that such action must be governed by God's commandment rather than human anger. The phrase about those that tremble at the commandment marks reverence as the proper posture before God. Scripture records this grave moment honestly, holding before us the seriousness of covenant faithfulness, while leaving the deepest weight of these decisions in the hands of God, who alone judges every heart with perfect justice and mercy.
Ezra 10:3 in the Original Language
berith (בְּרִית), 'covenant' -- a binding, solemn agreement, the word at the heart of God's bond with His people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ezra 10:3
What does Ezra 10:3 mean?
Shechaniah proposes a solemn covenant to separate from the foreign marriages, done in the fear of God and according to the law.