Ezra 10:7
What does Ezra 10:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Ezra 10:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Ezra 10:7 means
A proclamation goes out through Judah and Jerusalem, summoning all the children of the captivity to gather in Jerusalem. This is a nationwide call to address a nationwide sin. The summons recognizes corporate responsibility: what threatens the community’s covenant identity cannot be left to individuals to sort privately. By bringing everyone together at the center of worship, the leaders ensure a unified hearing, shared accountability, and clear directives. In times of widespread compromise, decisive, inclusive gatherings create the context for mutual correction under God’s word. The announcement also reflects careful governance—communication precedes enforcement, and everyone is given the opportunity to appear and respond.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they made a public statement through all Judah and Jerusalem, to all those who had come back, that they were to come together to Jerusalem;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And they cause a voice to pass over into Judah and Jerusalem, to all sons of the removal, to be gathered to Jerusalem,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And proclamation was made in Juda and Jerusalem to all the children of the captivity, that they should assemble together into Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they made proclamation in Judah and Jerusalem to all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;
Context
Following Ezra’s fasting, the process moves into public administration. The proclamation prepares for a mandatory assembly at Jerusalem, where the matter will be adjudicated. The next verse underlines the seriousness by attaching penalties for failure to appear. Soon the people will gather in inclement weather, signaling both urgency and widespread participation. This builds toward Ezra’s public address that names the sin and prescribes repentance, with the people consenting yet asking for a workable, orderly process.
v.6Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water; for he mourned because of the trespass of them of the captivity.
v.7This passage
v.8and that whosoever came not within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the assembly of the captivity.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 30:5
So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto Jehovah, the God of Israel, at Jerusalem: for they had not kept it in great numbers in such sort as it is written.
- Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, andput italso in writing, saying,