Ezra 10:19
What does Ezra 10:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 10:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 10:19 means
The named priests pledge, “gave their hand,” to put away their wives and, acknowledging guilt, offer a ram of the flock as a guilt offering. Their actions combine promise and atonement: a tangible commitment to change and a sacrifice recognizing sin’s seriousness. Public contrition from leaders strengthens communal reform. The guilt offering signifies that sin incurs debt before God that must be addressed. For Christians reading the Bible as a whole, such sacrifices point ahead to the fuller atonement provided once for all by Jesus Christ; but here, within Ezra, the focus is on concrete repentance paired with God-ordained means of restoration.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they gave their word that they would put away their wives; and for their sin, they gave an offering of a male sheep of the flock.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they give their hand to send out their wives, and, being guilty, a ram of the flock, for their guilt.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they gave their hands to put away their wives, and to offer for their offence a ram of the flock.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they gave their hand to send away their wives; and they offered a ram of the flock, as trespass-offering for their guilt.
Context
Immediately after naming priestly offenders, the narrative records their response—a pledge and sacrifice—showing that the process aimed at repentance, not mere exposure. The following verses will continue listing additional priests by family lines, then Levites and other temple servants, and eventually many lay Israelites. The structure progresses from those closest to the altar outward, underscoring that holiness must begin in the leadership and permeate the entire community.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 2:9
and when they perceived the grace that was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the Gentiles, and they unto the circumcision;
- 2 Chronicles 30:8
Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were; but yield yourselves unto Jehovah, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever, and serve Jehovah your God, that his fierce anger may turn away from you.
- 2 Kings 10:15
And when he was departed thence, he lighted on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him; and he saluted him, and said to him, Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If it be, give me thy hand. And he gave him his hand; and he took him up to him into the chariot.
- Leviticus 6:4
then it shall be, if he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took by robbery, or the thing which he hath gotten by oppression, or the deposit which was committed to him, or the lost thing which he found,
- 1 Chronicles 29:24
And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of king David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the king.
- Lamentations 5:6
We have given the hand to the Egyptians, And to the Assyrians, to be satisfied with bread.