Ezra's Return and Reform

Ezra, a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, traveled from Babylon to Jerusalem during the seventh year of King Artaxerxes. The king issued a decree granting Ezra silver, gold, and vessels for the house of God, as well as the authority to appoint magistrates and judges (Ezra 7:21-25). Ezra gathered the heads of the households at the river that runs to Ahava, where he proclaimed a fast to seek a straight way from God for the journey. The group departed on the twelfth day of the first month and arrived in Jerusalem, where they delivered the king's commissions to the royal satraps and governors (Ezra 8:31-36).

Upon arrival, officials approached Ezra to report that the people of Israel, including priests and Levites, had not separated themselves from the neighboring peoples but had taken their daughters as wives (Ezra 9:1-2). In response, Ezra rent his garment and mantle, pulled hair from his head and beard, and sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. He then fell on his knees and spread out his hands to the Lord, confessing the guilt of the people and their history of trespass (Ezra 9:5-15). While he prayed and wept, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered around him.

Shecaniah son of Jehiel addressed Ezra, acknowledging that the people had broken faith with God by marrying foreign women. He proposed that they make a covenant with God to put away all these wives and their children according to the counsel of Ezra and those who trembled at the commandment (Ezra 10:2-3). Ezra then rose and made the leading priests, the Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do as had been said. A proclamation was issued throughout Judah and Jerusalem for all the returned exiles to assemble within three days (Ezra 10:7-8). The text does not say how many children were put away, but it records that a commission was appointed to examine the matter, completing their work by the first day of the first month.