Ezra 10:2

2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel the Elamite said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying women from the peoples around us. But even so, there is still hope for Israel.

Ezra 10:2 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 10:2

And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam,
answered and said unto Ezra
This man seems to be one of those that now came with Ezra from Babylon, see ( Ezra 8:3 Ezra 8:5 ) ,

we have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the
people of the land;
not that he had taken any himself, being but just come into the land, nor is his name in the list of those that had; but inasmuch as many of the nation, of which he was a part, and his own father, and several of his uncles had, ( Ezra 10:26 ) , he expresses himself in this manner:

yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing;
of a reformation of this evil, and of pardon for it.

Ezra 10:2 In-Context

1 As Ezra was praying and confessing and cry- ing and throwing himself down in front of the Temple, a large group of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him who were also crying loudly.

2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel the Elamite said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying women from the peoples around us. But even so, there is still hope for Israel.

3 Now let us make an agreement before our God. We will send away all these women and their children as you and those who respect the commands of our God advise. Let it be done to obey God's Teachings.

4 Get up, Ezra. You are in charge, and we will support you. Have courage and do it."

5 So Ezra got up and made the priests, Levites, and all the people of Israel promise to do what was suggested; and they promised.