Ezra 10:4

4 Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; ¹be strong and do it."

Ezra 10:4 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 10:4

Arise
From the ground, where he lay prostrate:

for this matter belongeth unto thee;
as a priest and scribe of the law, well versed in it, and therefore could direct what was to be done according to it; and as a ruler under the king of Persia, and a commissioner of his, to inquire whether the law of God was observed by the Jews, ( Ezra 7:14 ) and so had authority to put the law in execution:

we also will be with thee;
to help and assist in the reformation of this evil:

be of good courage, and do it;
do not despair of going through it, though there may be some opposition to it; begin, and doubt not of succeeding.

Ezra 10:4 In-Context

2 And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: "We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.

3 Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law.

4 Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it."

5 Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath.

6 Then Ezra withdrew from before the house of God and went to the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib, where he spent the night, neither eating bread nor drinking water, for he was mourning over the faithlessness of the exiles.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Chronicles 28:10; [2 Chronicles 19:11]