Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So the exiles did as was proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, one from each family division, and all of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to investigate the cases, New Living Translation So this was the plan they followed. Ezra selected leaders to represent their families, designating each of the representatives by name. On December 29, the leaders sat down to investigate the matter. English Standard Version Then the returned exiles did so. Ezra the priest selected men, heads of fathers’ houses, according to their fathers’ houses, each of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to examine the matter; Berean Standard Bible So the exiles did as proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, each of them identified by name, to represent their families. On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation, Berean Literal Bible And the sons of the exile did so, and Ezra the priest, and men, the heads of the fathers, for the house of their fathers, were set apart, each of them by name, and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. King James Bible And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. New King James Version Then the descendants of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of the fathers’ households, were set apart by the fathers’ households, each of them by name; and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. New American Standard Bible But the exiles did so. And Ezra the priest selected men who were the heads of fathers’ households for each of their father’s households, all of them by name. So they convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. NASB 1995 But the exiles did so. And Ezra the priest selected men who were heads of fathers’ households for each of their father’s households, all of them by name. So they convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. NASB 1977 But the exiles did so. And Ezra the priest selected men who were heads of fathers’ households for each of their father’s households, all of them by name. So they convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. Legacy Standard Bible But the exiles did so. And Ezra the priest separated out men who were heads of fathers’ households for each of their father’s households, all of them by name. So they convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. Amplified Bible Then the [former] exiles did so. Ezra the priest and men who were heads of fathers’ households were selected, according to their fathers’ households, each of them by name; and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. Berean Annotated Bible So the exiles did as proposed. Ezra (help) the priest selected men who were family heads, each of them identified by name, to represent their families. On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation, Christian Standard Bible The exiles did what had been proposed. The priest Ezra selected men who were family heads, all identified by name, to represent their ancestral families. They convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter, Holman Christian Standard Bible The exiles did what had been proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family leaders, all identified by name, to represent their ancestral houses. They convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter, American Standard Version And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of fathers' houses, after their fathers' houses, and all of them by their names, were set apart; and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Contemporary English Version Everyone else who had returned from exile agreed with the plan. So Ezra the priest chose men who were heads of the families, and he listed their names. They started looking into the matter on the first day of the tenth month, English Revised Version And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of fathers' houses, after their fathers' houses, and all of them by their names, were separated; and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. GOD'S WORD® Translation The former exiles did this. Ezra the priest chose men who were heads of families. He chose one from each family division. (They were all [listed] by name.) They sat down on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. Good News Translation The returned exiles accepted the plan, so Ezra the priest appointed men from among the heads of the clans and recorded their names. On the first day of the tenth month they began their investigation, International Standard Version So those who had returned from exile did this. Ezra the priest and leaders of certain ancestral groups listed by name devoted themselves to examine the situation on the first day of the tenth month. NET Bible So the exiles proceeded accordingly. Ezra the priest separated out by name men who were leaders in their family groups. They sat down to consider this matter on the first day of the tenth month, New Heart English Bible But the descendants of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest selected for himself men, heads of fathers’ houses, according to their fathers’ houses, and all of them by their names. So they began their sessions on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Webster's Bible Translation And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo the exiles did as proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, each of them identified by name, to represent their families. On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation, World English Bible The children of the captivity did so. Ezra the priest, with certain heads of fathers’ households, after their fathers’ houses, and all of them by their names, were set apart; and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the sons of the expulsion do so, and Ezra the priest, [and] men, heads of the fathers, for the house of their fathers, are separated, even all of them by name, and they sit on the first day of the tenth month, to examine the matter; Berean Literal Bible And the sons of the exile did so, and Ezra the priest, and men, the heads of the fathers, for the house of their fathers, were set apart, each of them by name, and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Young's Literal Translation And the sons of the removal do so, and Ezra the priest, and men, heads of the fathers, for the house of their fathers, are separated, even all of them by name, and they sit on the first day of the tenth month, to examine the matter; Smith's Literal Translation And thus the sons of the exile will do. And they will be separated, Ezra the priest, men, heads of the fathers, for the house of their fathers, and all of them by names, and they will it down in one day to the tenth month to seek out the word. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the children of the captivity did so. And Esdras the priest, and the men heads of the families in the houses of their fathers, and all by their names, went and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Catholic Public Domain Version And the sons of the transmigration did so. And Ezra, the priest, and the men who were the leaders of the families in the houses of their fathers, and all according to their names, went and sat down, on the first day of the tenth month, so that they might examine the matter. New American Bible The exiles did as agreed. Ezra the priest appointed as his assistants men who were heads of ancestral houses, one for each ancestral house, all of them designated by name. They held sessions to examine the matter, beginning with the first day of the tenth month. New Revised Standard Version Then the returned exiles did so. Ezra the priest selected men, heads of families, according to their families, each of them designated by name. On the first day of the tenth month they sat down to examine the matter. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the exiles did so. And Ezra the priest selected ten men, chiefs of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them were called by their names; and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And thus did the children of the captivity, and Azra the Priest separated ten men, Chiefs of the fathers, for the house of their fathers, and all of them were called by name, and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of fathers' houses, after their fathers' houses, and all of them by their names, were separated; and they sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the children of the captivity did thus: and Esdras the priest, and heads of families according to their house were separated, and all by their names, for they returned in the first day of the tenth month to search out the matter. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The People's Confession of Sin…15(Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah, supported by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite, opposed this plan.) 16So the exiles did as proposed. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, each of them identified by name, to represent their families. On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation, 17and by the first day of the first month they had dealt with all the men who had married foreign women.… Cross References So the exiles did as proposed. Exodus 19:8 And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD. Deuteronomy 5:27 Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then you can tell us everything the LORD our God tells you; we will listen and obey.” Joshua 1:16 So they answered Joshua, “Everything you have commanded us we will do, and everywhere you send us we will go. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, Exodus 18:25 So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. Deuteronomy 1:15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes. Numbers 1:4 And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you. each of them identified by name, Exodus 31:2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. Numbers 1:17 So Moses and Aaron took these men who had been designated by name, Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine! to represent their families. Numbers 1:16 These men were appointed from the congregation; they were the leaders of the tribes of their fathers, the heads of the clans of Israel. Numbers 7:2 And the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families, presented an offering. These men were the tribal leaders who had supervised the registration. Joshua 14:1 Now these are the portions that the Israelites inherited in the land of Canaan, as distributed by Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the families of the tribes of Israel. On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation, Deuteronomy 13:14 then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, Deuteronomy 19:18 The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, 2 Kings 25:1 So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it. Nehemiah 9:2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. Treasury of Scripture And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. to examine the matter Deuteronomy 13:14 Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you; Job 29:16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out. John 7:51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? Jump to Previous Apart Captivity Chief Children Examine Exiles Ezra Fathers First Heads House Houses Matter Month Names Priest Sat Selected Separated TenthJump to Next Apart Captivity Chief Children Examine Exiles Ezra Fathers First Heads House Houses Matter Month Names Priest Sat Selected Separated TenthEzra 10 1. Ezra encouraged to reform the strange marriages6. Ezra assembles the people 9. The people repent, and promise amendment 15. The care to perform it 18. The names of them which had married strange wives So the exiles did as proposed. This phrase indicates the obedience of the returned exiles to the leadership of Ezra. The exiles had been living in a state of disobedience by intermarrying with foreign women, which was against the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). Their compliance with Ezra's proposal shows a collective repentance and a desire to restore their covenant relationship with God. This act of obedience is reminiscent of the Israelites' earlier commitments to follow God's commands, such as in Joshua 24:24. Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads, each of them identified by name, to represent their families. On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation, Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA priest and scribe who led the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in the spiritual and religious reform of the Jewish community. 2. The Exiles The Jewish people who returned from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem. They were tasked with rebuilding their community and adhering to the Law of Moses. 3. Family Heads Leaders from each family division among the exiles. They were chosen to assist Ezra in investigating the issue of intermarriage with foreign women. 4. The First Day of the Tenth Month This marks the beginning of the formal investigation into the matter of intermarriage, showing the organized and deliberate approach taken by Ezra and the leaders. 5. The Investigation The process initiated by Ezra and the family heads to address the issue of intermarriage, which was seen as a violation of the covenant with God. Teaching Points The Importance of Leadership in Spiritual ReformEzra's role as a leader was crucial in guiding the people back to God's commandments. Spiritual leaders today must also be diligent in upholding and teaching biblical truths. The Necessity of Community Accountability The involvement of family heads in the investigation shows the importance of community accountability. Believers should hold each other accountable to live according to God's Word. The Dangers of Compromise Intermarriage with foreign women represented a compromise of faith. Christians must be vigilant against compromising their beliefs and values in a secular world. The Role of Deliberate Action in Addressing Sin The organized approach to investigating and resolving the issue demonstrates the need for deliberate action when addressing sin in our lives and communities. The Significance of Obedience to God's Commands The exiles' willingness to follow Ezra's proposal underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when it requires difficult decisions. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Ezra 10:16?2. How does Ezra 10:16 demonstrate the importance of accountability in spiritual leadership? 3. What steps did Ezra take to ensure a thorough investigation of the matter? 4. How can Ezra's approach in Ezra 10:16 guide us in addressing sin today? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Ezra 10:16 and Matthew 18:15-17 on conflict resolution? 6. How can we apply the principles from Ezra 10:16 in our church community? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in Ezra 10:16? 8. How does Ezra 10:16 reflect on the importance of leadership in religious reform? 9. What theological implications arise from the actions taken in Ezra 10:16? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Ezra 10? 11. Should Ezra have ordered abandoning foreign wives and children? 12. Ezra 10:15 – Why are only a few individuals mentioned as opposing this course of action, despite its obvious moral and social implications? 13. Ezra 10:10 - How is this command to divorce reconcileable with other biblical teachings that appear to disapprove of divorce? 14. Ezra 10:9 - Is it historically plausible that the entire population gathered in Jerusalem within three days as the text suggests? What Does Ezra 10:16 Mean The obedient response of the exiles“So the exiles did as proposed.” (Ezra 10:16a) • The returned community immediately embraced Ezra’s call to repent of unlawful marriages, showing the fruit of genuine contrition (Ezra 9:3–4; 2 Corinthians 7:10). • Their swift compliance echoes earlier obedience when Zerubbabel and Jeshua rebuilt the altar “as it is written in the Law of Moses” (Ezra 3:2), reminding us that true revival is always Word-driven (Nehemiah 8:8–12). • The verse underscores that collective sin requires collective action; everyone shared the responsibility, just as the body acts together in discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1–7). Ezra’s careful selection of leaders “Ezra the priest selected men who were family heads…” (Ezra 10:16b) • Spiritual reform must be shepherded by spiritually mature leaders; Ezra follows the pattern of Moses appointing chiefs “wise and respected men” (Deuteronomy 1:13). • Family heads carried authority within their clans, ensuring decisions would be honored at home (Joshua 24:15). • Ezra’s priestly role blends with his administrative wisdom (Ezra 7:25–26), modeling that leadership in God’s house is both pastoral and practical (Acts 6:3). Transparent accountability by name “…each of them identified by name, to represent their families.” (Ezra 10:16c) • Naming the representatives ensured nothing was hidden; the process was public and verifiable, reflecting the principle “provide things honest in the sight of all men” (Romans 12:17 KJV; cf. 2 Corinthians 8:21). • Personal identification stressed individual responsibility; sin is never an anonymous issue (Numbers 32:23). • Representation safeguarded fairness, echoing the elders at the city gate who weighed legal matters (Ruth 4:1–2). The launch of a thorough investigation “On the first day of the tenth month they launched the investigation.” (Ezra 10:16d) • A set date shows orderliness; God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). • Beginning in the rainy season (tenth month, roughly December) demonstrates urgency—repentance could not wait for better weather (Proverbs 27:1; Hebrews 3:15). • The word “investigation” indicates due process, mirroring how Nehemiah later “examined the walls” before acting (Nehemiah 2:13–15); genuine reform is never hasty but diligent (Proverbs 18:13). summary Ezra 10:16 portrays an obedient community, wise leadership, transparent accountability, and methodical follow-through. Together these elements reveal how God expects His people to confront sin: promptly, under qualified oversight, in the open, and with careful inquiry—all for the purpose of restoring holiness to His covenant family. Verse 16. - The children of the captivity did so. The people generally, notwithstanding the opposition of Jonathan, acquiesced in Ezra's decision, and acted accordingly. Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers. There is no "with," or other connective, in the original; but our translators did right in supplying one, since the conjunction ו, "and," has almost certainly fallen out of the text by the mistake of a copyist. After the house of their fathers. Rather, "for each father's house" - i.e. "for each family." It would seem from this clause that each recognised family was represented on the commission by its head. The number of such families appears by Ezra 2:3-61 to have been ninety-eight. And all of them by their names. Compare with this Ezra 8:20. In both places Ezra probably means that a list of the names was made out, and was in his possession, though he does not think it necessary to give them. Were separated. i.e. "set apart for the business." And they sat down, i.e. "began their sittings," on the first day of the tenth month, the month Tebeth, corresponding nearly to our January.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So the exilesבְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son did וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־ (way·ya·‘ă·śū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make as proposed. כֵן֮ (ḵên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus Ezra עֶזְרָ֨א (‘ez·rā) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5830: Ezra -- 'help', three Israelites the priest הַכֹּהֵ֜ן (hak·kō·hên) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest selected וַיִּבָּדְלוּ֩ (way·yib·bā·ḏə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 914: To be divided, separate men אֲנָשִׁ֨ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person who were family הָאָב֛וֹת (hā·’ā·ḇō·wṯ) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1: Father heads, רָאשֵׁ֧י (rā·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 7218: The head each of them וְכֻלָּ֣ם (wə·ḵul·lām) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every identified by name, בְּשֵׁמ֑וֹת (bə·šê·mō·wṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8034: A name to represent their families. אֲבֹתָ֖ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯām) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 1: Father On the first אֶחָד֙ (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first day בְּי֤וֹם (bə·yō·wm) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day of the tenth הָעֲשִׂירִ֔י (hā·‘ă·śî·rî) Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular Strong's 6224: Tenth, tenth month, part month לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ (la·ḥō·ḏeš) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month they convened לְדַרְי֖וֹשׁ (lə·ḏar·yō·wōš) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship the investigation, הַדָּבָֽר׃ (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause Links Ezra 10:16 NIVEzra 10:16 NLT Ezra 10:16 ESV Ezra 10:16 NASB Ezra 10:16 KJV Ezra 10:16 BibleApps.com Ezra 10:16 Biblia Paralela Ezra 10:16 Chinese Bible Ezra 10:16 French Bible Ezra 10:16 Catholic Bible OT History: Ezra 10:16 The children of the captivity did so (Ezr. 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