Ezra 10:16
What does Ezra 10:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 10:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 10:16 means
The returned exiles follow through. Ezra the priest, together with selected heads of fathers’ houses, each identified by name, are set apart to conduct the investigation. They begin on the first day of the tenth month, formally sitting to examine the matter. The phrase “sat down” evokes a judicial setting—orderly, deliberate, and accountable. Naming the leaders indicates responsibility and transparency. This is not mob action but a lawful inquiry. By fixing a start date, they demonstrate urgency and structure. The reform moves from public commitment to careful casework, ensuring the remedy is applied justly to individuals and families.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So those who had come back did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of families, by their fathers' families, all of them by their names, were marked out; and on the first day of the tenth month they took their places to go into the question with care.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the sons of the removal do so, and Ezra the priest, <FI>and<Fi> 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;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest [and] certain of the chief fathers were separated according to their fathers' houses, and all of them [expressed] by name; and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
Context
Following brief mention of dissent, the narrative returns to action. The commission, under Ezra’s priestly leadership, is constituted and begins work promptly. This verse marks the transition from assembly to adjudication. The next verse will give the completion date, emphasizing the thoroughness and time investment required. After establishing the timeframe, the text will list those found to have married foreign women, starting with priests, then Levites and singers, and finally other Israelites, showing the reform’s scope.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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 in the midst of thee,
- Job 29:16
I was a father to the needy: And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.
- John 7:51
Doth our law judge a man, except it first hear from himself and know what he doeth?