Ezra 10:5

5 So Ezra began by making the leaders of the priests, of the Levites, and of the rest of the people take an oath that they would do what Shecaniah had proposed.

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 we must make a solemn promise to our God that we will send these women and their children away. We will do what you and the others who honor God's commands advise us to do. We will do what God's Law demands.

4 It is your responsibility to act. We are behind you, so go ahead and get it done."

5 So Ezra began by making the leaders of the priests, of the Levites, and of the rest of the people take an oath that they would do what Shecaniah had proposed.

6 Then he went from in front of the Temple into the living quarters of Jehohanan son of Eliashib, and spent the night there grieving over the unfaithfulness of the exiles. He did not eat or drink anything.

7 A message was sent throughout Jerusalem and Judah that all those who had returned from exile were to meet in Jerusalem