Ezra 10:19 - They gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
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What does "Ezra 10:19" mean?
This verse from Ezra 10:19 is part of a larger narrative in the Book of Ezra dealing with the problem of intermarriage between Jewish men who had returned from exile in Babylon and non-Jewish women. Let's break down the verse:
"They gave their hand that they would put away their wives": This means the men pledged, promised, or swore an oath (by giving their hand, a common gesture of commitment) that they would divorce their foreign wives. This was a very difficult and painful decision, but it was considered necessary to maintain the purity of the Jewish lineage and faith according to the religious leaders of the time.
"and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt": Because they had violated God's law (as they understood it) by marrying foreign women, they were considered guilty of a sin. To atone for this guilt and seek forgiveness, they offered a sacrifice—a ram from their flock—as a guilt offering (also known as a trespass offering). This was a prescribed ritual in the Mosaic Law for sins that required restitution or atonement.
In summary, the verse describes two actions:
1. A Promise of Divorce: The men agreed to divorce their foreign wives to rectify what was considered a transgression against God's law.
2. A Guilt Offering: They offered a sacrifice of a ram to atone for their sin of marrying foreign women.
Context and Interpretation:
Theological Perspective: The passage reflects a strong emphasis on maintaining religious and cultural purity. This was seen as essential for the survival and prosperity of the Jewish community. However, the decision to divorce the wives was controversial and had profound social and emotional consequences.
Historical Perspective: The prohibition of intermarriage was a complex issue in ancient Israelite history. It stemmed from a desire to prevent the adoption of foreign religious practices and to maintain a distinct identity.
Ethical Considerations: From a modern ethical perspective, the forced divorces described in Ezra are often viewed as unjust and harmful, especially to the women and children involved. There is much debate about how to interpret and apply such passages in a contemporary context.
Purpose: The purpose of the decree was to preserve the religious and ethnic identity of the Israelite community, which was seen as vital for maintaining their relationship with God.
Later Teachings: It's important to note that later Jewish teachings and interpretations of scripture often offer a more nuanced and compassionate approach to issues of intermarriage.
It's crucial to read this verse within the broader context of the Book of Ezra and the historical period it describes, and also to consider the ethical implications of the actions described.
Ezra 10:19 - They gave their hand that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt.
What does "Ezra 10:19" mean?
This verse from Ezra 10:19 is part of a larger narrative in the Book of Ezra dealing with the problem of intermarriage between Jewish men who had returned from exile in Babylon and non-Jewish women. Let's break down the verse:
"They gave their hand that they would put away their wives": This means the men pledged, promised, or swore an oath (by giving their hand, a common gesture of commitment) that they would divorce their foreign wives. This was a very difficult and painful decision, but it was considered necessary to maintain the purity of the Jewish lineage and faith according to the religious leaders of the time.
"and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their guilt": Because they had violated God's law (as they understood it) by marrying foreign women, they were considered guilty of a sin. To atone for this guilt and seek forgiveness, they offered a sacrifice—a ram from their flock—as a guilt offering (also known as a trespass offering). This was a prescribed ritual in the Mosaic Law for sins that required restitution or atonement.
In summary, the verse describes two actions:
1. A Promise of Divorce: The men agreed to divorce their foreign wives to rectify what was considered a transgression against God's law.
2. A Guilt Offering: They offered a sacrifice of a ram to atone for their sin of marrying foreign women.
Context and Interpretation:
Theological Perspective: The passage reflects a strong emphasis on maintaining religious and cultural purity. This was seen as essential for the survival and prosperity of the Jewish community. However, the decision to divorce the wives was controversial and had profound social and emotional consequences.
Historical Perspective: The prohibition of intermarriage was a complex issue in ancient Israelite history. It stemmed from a desire to prevent the adoption of foreign religious practices and to maintain a distinct identity.
Ethical Considerations: From a modern ethical perspective, the forced divorces described in Ezra are often viewed as unjust and harmful, especially to the women and children involved. There is much debate about how to interpret and apply such passages in a contemporary context.
Purpose: The purpose of the decree was to preserve the religious and ethnic identity of the Israelite community, which was seen as vital for maintaining their relationship with God.
Later Teachings: It's important to note that later Jewish teachings and interpretations of scripture often offer a more nuanced and compassionate approach to issues of intermarriage.
It's crucial to read this verse within the broader context of the Book of Ezra and the historical period it describes, and also to consider the ethical implications of the actions described.