Ezra 10 Shechaniah encourageth Ezra to reform the strange marriages, Ezra 10:1–4. All Israel swear to do accordingly, Ezra 10:5. Ezra, mourning, assembleth the people, Ezra 10:6–8. The people at the exhortation of Ezra repent, and promise amendment, Ezra 10:9–14.

Awakened by the words and example of this holy priest and great potentate. So inexpressible is the good which is done by the good example, and the evil which is done by the bad example, of a great person, or of a minister.

He saith we, either, 1. Because he was guilty in this matter. Or rather, 2. In the name of the people, and their several families, and his own amongst the rest.

To put away all the wives; which though it may seem harsh, yet is not unjust, if it be considered, 1. That marriages made between some prohibited persons; as suppose, between a father and his daughter, a brother and a sister, are not only unlawful, but void marriages, and ipso facto null, by the…

This matter belongeth unto thee; because thou hast both skill to manage it, and authority both from God and from the Persian king to do it.

Went into the chamber, that he with the princes and elders, as it follows, Ezra 10:8, might consult about the execution of their resolution.

Either by banishment; or rather, by excommunication from the church, and people, and house, and public worship of God.

All the men of Judah and Benjamin not only of these two tribes, as appears from the following catalogue, where there are priests and Levites; but all the Israelites, Ezra 10:25, who are thus described, partly because the greatest part of them were of these tribes, though others were mixed with…

Do his pleasure; you have sinfully pleased yourselves, now please God by your obedience to his command.

Let our rulers of all the congregation stand; let the great council, called the Sanhedrim, be settled, and meet to judge and determine of all particular causes.

To wit, to take due care that the business should be executed in the manner proposed, that the officers and delinquents of every city should come successively in convenient time and order, as these should appoint, and to take and keep an exact account of the whole transaction, and of the names of…

Were separated, i.e. sequestered themselves from all other business, and gave themselves wholly to this.

They gave their hand, i.e. they covenanted or swore by giving their hand; which was the usual gesture in those cases; of which see Lev. 6:2, Ezek. 17:18.

Of Israel, i.e. of the people of Israel, distinguished from the priests and the Levites hitherto named, who before were called Judah and Benjamin, Ezra 10:9, See Poole “Ezra 10:9”.

Whereby he implies that most of their wives were barren; which came to pass by God’s special providence, partly to manifest his displeasure against such matches, and partly that the practice of this great and necessary duty might not be encumbered with too many difficulties.