Ezra 10:15
What does Ezra 10:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 10:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 10:15 means
A minority—Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah—stand against the matter, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite assisting them. The text does not elaborate on their objections, only that resistance existed. Even in needed reform, not everyone agrees. Recording their names shows transparency and realism. Opposition may arise from differing judgments or fears about the plan’s implications. Yet the narrative suggests their stance did not halt the process. Faithful leadership acknowledges dissent without capitulating to paralysis, keeping the community’s commitment to God’s law clear while proceeding with measured, just action.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Only Jonathan, the son of Asahel, and Jahzeiah, the son of Tikvah, were against this, Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Only Jonathan son of Asahel, and Jahaziah son of Tikvah, stood against this, and Meshullam, and Shabbethai the Levite, helped them.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Jonathan the son of Azahel, and Jaasia the son of Thecua were appointed over this, and Mesollam and Sebethai, Levites, helped them:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahzeiah the son of Tikvah stood up against this; and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them.
Context
After the plan is proposed, this verse briefly notes opposition, reminding readers that corporate repentance is rarely unanimous without tension. But the story quickly moves on, indicating the dissent did not derail the process. The following verse shows the community doing as planned, with Ezra and named leaders set apart to examine each case. The commission’s work commences promptly in the next month, signaling resolve to implement the agreed remedy despite minority resistance.
v.14Let now our princes be appointed for all the assembly, and let all them that are in our cities that have married foreign women come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God be turned from us, until this matter be despatched.
v.15This passage
v.16And 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 12:33
and Azariah, Ezra, and Meshullam,
- Nehemiah 11:16
and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;
- Nehemiah 10:20
Magpiash, Meshullam, Hezir,
- Nehemiah 3:6
And the old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.