Ezra 10:2 - Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Ezra 10:2" mean?
This verse from Ezra 10:2 is a pivotal moment in the book of Ezra. Let's break it down:
"Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra...": Shecaniah is identifying himself and his lineage. Importantly, he is "one of the sons of Elam." This is relevant because the families listed in Ezra 2 (who returned from exile) were meant to be of pure Israelite descent. The fact that Shecaniah identifies himself suggests he is part of the community that has returned and is concerned about the current situation.
"...“We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land.": This is the core of the problem. The Israelites who had returned from exile had violated God's law by marrying women from the surrounding nations. This was forbidden because these women often worshipped other gods and could lead the Israelites astray, compromising their covenant with God. The use of the word "trespassed" signifies a violation of a sacred boundary.
"Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.": This is the crucial part. Despite the serious transgression, Shecaniah believes there's still hope for restoration. This is not a statement of immediate forgiveness but a recognition that the situation can be addressed and rectified. This hope is founded on the possibility of repentance and a commitment to adhere to God's law in the future.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Acknowledgement of Sin: Shecaniah acknowledges the sin of intermarriage.
Awareness of the Problem: He understands the severity of the transgression against God's law.
Hope for Restoration: He expresses belief that despite the sin, Israel can still be restored to God's favor.
This verse is significant because it's the catalyst for the reforms that Ezra institutes. Shecaniah's confession and declaration of hope are essential for initiating the process of repentance and re-establishing Israel's covenant relationship with God. It sets the stage for the difficult but necessary actions that follow: addressing and resolving the issue of intermarriage.
Ezra 10:2 - Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land. Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.
What does "Ezra 10:2" mean?
This verse from Ezra 10:2 is a pivotal moment in the book of Ezra. Let's break it down:
"Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered Ezra...": Shecaniah is identifying himself and his lineage. Importantly, he is "one of the sons of Elam." This is relevant because the families listed in Ezra 2 (who returned from exile) were meant to be of pure Israelite descent. The fact that Shecaniah identifies himself suggests he is part of the community that has returned and is concerned about the current situation.
"...“We have trespassed against our God, and have married foreign women of the peoples of the land.": This is the core of the problem. The Israelites who had returned from exile had violated God's law by marrying women from the surrounding nations. This was forbidden because these women often worshipped other gods and could lead the Israelites astray, compromising their covenant with God. The use of the word "trespassed" signifies a violation of a sacred boundary.
"Yet now there is hope for Israel concerning this thing.": This is the crucial part. Despite the serious transgression, Shecaniah believes there's still hope for restoration. This is not a statement of immediate forgiveness but a recognition that the situation can be addressed and rectified. This hope is founded on the possibility of repentance and a commitment to adhere to God's law in the future.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Acknowledgement of Sin: Shecaniah acknowledges the sin of intermarriage.
Awareness of the Problem: He understands the severity of the transgression against God's law.
Hope for Restoration: He expresses belief that despite the sin, Israel can still be restored to God's favor.
This verse is significant because it's the catalyst for the reforms that Ezra institutes. Shecaniah's confession and declaration of hope are essential for initiating the process of repentance and re-establishing Israel's covenant relationship with God. It sets the stage for the difficult but necessary actions that follow: addressing and resolving the issue of intermarriage.