Ezra 10:5

5 Then arose Ezra, and made the chiefs of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they would do according to this word. So they swore.

Ezra 10:5 Meaning and Commentary

Ezra 10:5

Then arose Ezra
From the ground where he lay:

and made the chief priests, and the Levites, and all Israel, to swear
that they should do according to this word:
he took an oath of all that were present to do what was proposed, namely, to put away strange wives and their children:

and they sware;
by means of which they were kept to their word of promise, an oath being a solemn, sacred, thing.

Ezra 10:5 In-Context

3 Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.

4 Arise; for the matter belongs to you, and we are with you: be of good courage, and do it.

5 Then arose Ezra, and made the chiefs of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they would do according to this word. So they swore.

6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib: and [when] he came there, he ate no bread, nor drink water; for he mourned because of the trespass of them of the captivity.

7 They made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together to Jerusalem;