Ezra 10:15

15 Only Jonathan the son of Asael, and Jazias the son of Thecoe with me concerning this; and Mesollam, and Sabbathai the Levite helped them.

Ezra 10:15 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 10:15

Only Jonathan the son of Asahel, and Jahaziah the son
of Tikvah, were employed about the matter
To see that this affair was conducted in the manner proposed; that the magistrates of every city brought the persons that had been delinquents, in their turns, of which they gave them notice, and took the account of them as they came:

and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them;
assisted them in this work; the other two perhaps were priests, and both these Levites; and these four were the only persons appointed over this matter, as the phrase in the preceding clause may signify; though Jarchi interprets it to a quite contrary sense, that they were the only persons that opposed and objected to it; and so Dr. Lightfoot F18 understands it, and renders it, "stood against this matter"; in which they were seconded by the two Levites, and the sense is very probable.


FOOTNOTES:

F18 Works, vol. 1. p. 144.

Ezra 10:15 In-Context

13 But the people numerous, and the season stormy, and there is no power to stand without, and the work is more than enough for one day or for two; for we have greatly sinned in this matter.
14 Let now our rulers stand, and for all those in our cities who have taken strange wives, let them come at appointed times, and with them elders from every several city, and judges, to turn away the fierce wrath of our God from us concerning this matter.
15 Only Jonathan the son of Asael, and Jazias the son of Thecoe with me concerning this; and Mesollam, and Sabbathai the Levite helped them.
16 And the children of the captivity did thus: and Esdras the priest, and heads of families according to house were separated, and all by their names, for they returned in the first day of the tenth month to search out the matter.
17 And they made an end with all the men who had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.