Ezra 10:1
New International Version
While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a large crowd of Israelites—men, women and children—gathered around him. They too wept bitterly.

New Living Translation
While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and lying face down on the ground in front of the Temple of God, a very large crowd of people from Israel—men, women, and children—gathered and wept bitterly with him.

English Standard Version
While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly.

Berean Standard Bible
While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well.

King James Bible
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

New King James Version
Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly.

New American Standard Bible
Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept greatly.

NASB 1995
Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly.

NASB 1977
Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women, and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now while Ezra was praying and making confession, weeping and prostrating himself before the house of God, a very large assembly, men, women and children, gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept bitterly.

Amplified Bible
Now while Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and laying himself face down before the house of God, a very large group from Israel, of men, women, and children, gathered to him, for the people wept bitterly.

Christian Standard Bible
While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, an extremely large assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, an extremely large assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly.

American Standard Version
Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together unto him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very sore.

Contemporary English Version
While Ezra was down on his knees in front of God's temple, praying with tears in his eyes and confessing the sins of the people of Israel, a large number of men, women, and children gathered around him and cried bitterly.

English Revised Version
Now while Ezra prayed, and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
While Ezra was praying, confessing [these sins], crying, and throwing himself down in front of God's temple, a large crowd of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. They also began to cry bitterly.

Good News Translation
While Ezra was bowing in prayer in front of the Temple, weeping and confessing these sins, a large group of Israelites--men, women, and children--gathered around him, weeping bitterly.

International Standard Version
Now while Ezra was praying and confessing in tears, having prostrated himself to the ground before the Temple of God, a very large crowd of Israelis—men, women, and children—gathered around him. Indeed, the people were crying bitterly.

Majority Standard Bible
While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites—men, women, and children—gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well.

NET Bible
While Ezra was praying and confessing, weeping and throwing himself to the ground before the temple of God, a very large crowd of Israelites--men, women, and children alike--gathered around him. The people wept loudly.

New Heart English Bible
Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before God's house, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very bitterly.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very bitterly.

World English Bible
Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before God’s house, there was gathered together to him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very bitterly.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And at Ezra’s praying, and at his making confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there have been gathered to him out of Israel a very great assembly—men and women and children—for the people have wept, multiplying weeping.

Young's Literal Translation
And at Ezra's praying, and at his making confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there have been gathered unto him out of Israel an assembly very great -- men and women and children -- for the people have wept, multiplying weeping.

Smith's Literal Translation
And as Ezra prayed, and as he confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there were gathered to him from Israel a very great convocation of men and women and children: for the people wept a great weeping.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now when Esdras was thus praying, and beseeching, and weeping, and lying before the temple of God, there was gathered to him of Israel an exceeding great assembly of men and women and children, and the people wept with much lamentation.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, as Ezra was praying, and imploring, and weeping in this way, and was prostrate before the temple of God, an exceedingly great assembly of men and women and children was gathered to him from Israel. And the people wept with a great weeping.

New American Bible
While Ezra prayed and acknowledged their guilt, weeping and prostrate before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites gathered about him, men, women, and children; and the people wept profusely.

New Revised Standard Version
While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him out of Israel; the people also wept bitterly.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, prostrating himself and weeping before the house of the LORD, there assembled to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children; for the children wept bitterly.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Azra prayed, and when he confessed, he was lying down and weeping before the house of LORD JEHOVAH, and a very great multitude from Israel were gathered to him, men and women and children, because the children were weeping very greatly.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now while Ezra prayed, and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children; for the people wept very sore.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So when Esdras had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and praying before the house of God, a very great assembly of Israel came together to him, men and women and youths; for the people wept, and wept aloud.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Shecaniah's Encouragement
1While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a very large assembly of Israelites— men, women, and children— gathered around him, and the people wept bitterly as well. 2Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 9:1-3
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads. / Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. / While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.

Daniel 9:3-5
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. / And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

1 Samuel 7:6
When they had gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

2 Kings 22:19
because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its people, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Jeremiah 3:21-25
A voice is heard on the barren heights, the children of Israel weeping and begging for mercy, because they have perverted their ways and forgotten the LORD their God. / “Return, O faithless children, and I will heal your faithlessness.” “Here we are. We come to You, for You are the LORD our God. / Surely deception comes from the hills, and commotion from the mountains. Surely the salvation of Israel is in the LORD our God. ...

Lamentations 2:18-19
The hearts of the people cry out to the Lord. O wall of the Daughter of Zion, let your tears run down like a river day and night. Give yourself no relief, and your eyes no rest. / Arise, cry out in the night from the first watch of the night. Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children who are fainting from hunger on the corner of every street.

Hosea 14:1-2
Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity. / Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Luke 18:13
But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’

Acts 2:37-38
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” / Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

James 4:8-10
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. / Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. / Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Treasury of Scripture

Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled to him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

when Ezra

Daniel 9:3,4,20
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: …

Acts 10:30
And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

when he had

Leviticus 26:40,41
If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; …

Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Hosea 14:2
Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

weeping

Psalm 119:136
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Jeremiah 9:1
Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Jeremiah 13:17
But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

before the house

1 Kings 8:30
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

1 Kings 9:3
And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

2 Chronicles 20:9
If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

a very great

Deuteronomy 31:12
Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:

2 Chronicles 20:13
And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

Nehemiah 10:28
And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;

very sore.

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Ezra 10
1. Ezra encouraged to reform the strange marriages
6. Ezra assembles the people
9. The people repent, and promise amendment
15. The care to perform it
18. The names of them which had married strange wives














While Ezra prayed
The act of prayer here is significant, as it demonstrates Ezra's deep connection with God and his role as a spiritual leader. The Hebrew root for "prayed" is "פלל" (palal), which conveys the idea of interceding or mediating. Ezra's prayer is not just a personal plea but an intercession for the people of Israel, highlighting the importance of prayer in seeking divine guidance and forgiveness.

and made this confession
Confession in this context is a public acknowledgment of sin and wrongdoing. The Hebrew word "ידה" (yadah) means to give thanks or confess. Ezra's confession is a model of humility and repentance, recognizing the collective sins of the Israelites. This act of confession is crucial in the process of reconciliation with God, emphasizing the need for honesty and transparency in one's spiritual journey.

weeping and falling facedown
Ezra's physical posture of weeping and prostration signifies deep sorrow and humility. The act of falling facedown is a traditional expression of worship and submission in the ancient Near East. It reflects Ezra's earnestness and the gravity of the situation, as he seeks God's mercy. This imagery underscores the importance of genuine contrition and the physical expression of inner repentance.

before the house of God
The "house of God" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. It symbolizes God's presence among His people. Ezra's actions taking place here highlight the temple's role as a focal point for communal repentance and renewal. The historical context of the temple, rebuilt after the Babylonian exile, serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the need for the Israelites to remain faithful in return.

a very large assembly of Israelites
The gathering of a large assembly indicates the widespread impact of Ezra's leadership and the collective recognition of the need for repentance. This assembly includes all segments of society, showing the communal nature of sin and the necessity for communal repentance. It reflects the unity and shared responsibility of the people in seeking God's forgiveness and restoring their covenant relationship with Him.

men, women, and children
The inclusion of men, women, and children emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the assembly and the universal call to repentance. It signifies that the spiritual renewal and commitment to God's laws are not limited to a specific group but are the responsibility of the entire community. This inclusivity highlights the importance of family and community in the spiritual life of Israel.

gathered around him
The act of gathering around Ezra signifies the people's recognition of his authority and their willingness to follow his lead in repentance. It demonstrates the power of godly leadership and the influence of a faithful servant of God in guiding others toward righteousness. This gathering is a testament to the impact of Ezra's example and the collective desire for spiritual renewal.

And the people wept bitterly
The bitter weeping of the people reflects their deep sorrow and regret for their sins. The Hebrew word "בכה" (bakah) conveys intense mourning and lamentation. This emotional response is a crucial step in the process of repentance, as it shows a heartfelt acknowledgment of wrongdoing and a sincere desire for change. It underscores the transformative power of genuine repentance and the hope for restoration with God.

X.

(1-6) The covenant of repentance and amendment. Here the narrative assumes another form; and, in accordance with the solemnity of a great public transaction, Ezra adopts the third person.

(1) Before the house of God.--Prostrating himself towards the Temple in the court, where all the people saw him and marked his distress.

Wept very sore.--The evil penetrated domestic life, and the punishment, as was already foreseen by "the women bringing the children with them," brought special family distress.

(2) Shechaniah.--The son of one of the transgressors (Ezra 10:2), whose action as the representative of the people gives him an honourable memorial in Scripture.

There is hope in Israel.--A noble sentiment for a reformer even at the worst of times.

(3) Special covenants with God--general, as in 2Kings 23:3, and in regard to particular offences, as here, and in Jeremiah 34:8--were familiar in Jewish history. And at all times of critical sin or danger the voluntary intervention of individuals was held in honour. (Comp. Numbers 25:12 seq.) . . .

Verse 1. - When Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed. Rather, "As Ezra prayed, and as he confessed." (Vulg.: "Orante Esdra et implorante." LXX.: Ως προσηύξατο Ασδρας καὶ ὡς ἐξηγόρευσε Weeping and casting himself down. Ezra had knelt at first (Ezra 9:5); but as he proceeded, and felt more and more the heinousness of the people's transgression, he threw himself forward upon the ground, in the attitude of extremest humiliation. Before the house of God. So far as can be gathered from the context, Ezra was in the great court of the temple when the princes came to him with their information (Ezra 9:1). He at once "sat down astonied" (ver. 8). So he remained until preparations began to be made for the evening sacrifice, when he arose, and took up a position directly in front of the altar and the holy place, towards which he proceeded to pray. Doubtless he had in his mind the words of Solomon, assented to by God (1 Kings 9:3), and pleaded by Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:9): "What prayer and supplication be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands towards this place: then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and do," etc. (1 Kings 8:38, 39).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
While Ezra
עֶזְרָא֙ (‘ez·rā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5830: Ezra -- 'help', three Israelites

prayed
וּכְהִתְפַּלֵּ֤ל (ū·ḵə·hiṯ·pal·lêl)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

and confessed,
וּכְ֨הִתְוַדֹּת֔וֹ‪‬ (ū·ḵə·hiṯ·wad·dō·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

weeping
בֹּכֶה֙ (bō·ḵeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

and falling facedown
וּמִתְנַפֵּ֔ל (ū·miṯ·nap·pêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

before
לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God,
הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

a very
מְאֹ֗ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

large
רַב־ (raḇ-)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

assembly
קָהָ֣ל (qā·hāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6951: Assembly, convocation, congregation

of Israelites—
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵ֜ל (mî·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

men,
אֲנָשִׁ֤ים (’ă·nā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

women,
וְנָשִׁים֙ (wə·nā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

and children—
וִֽילָדִ֔ים (wî·lā·ḏîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring

gathered
נִקְבְּצוּ֩ (niq·bə·ṣū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6908: To gather, collect

around him,
אֵלָ֨יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

and the people
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

wept bitterly
בָכ֥וּ (ḇā·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan

as well.
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction


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OT History: Ezra 10:1 Now while Ezra prayed and made confession (Ezr. Ez)
Ezra 9:15
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