2 Esdras 10: What the Passage Says

The Chapter in a Sentence

The woman finishes telling how her son died on entering his wedding room and how she came out to the field to mourn until she dies. The man listening answers her in anger, setting her grief for one son against the ruin of Zion, and lists what has been lost: the sanctuary, the altar, the temple, the priests, the children, the young men. While he is speaking her face shines, she cries out, and in her place he sees a built city; the angel Uriel then explains that the woman is Zion, the thirty barren years and the son's death stand for periods of her history and the destruction of Jerusalem, and tells him to go in and look, and to stay in the field another night for more visions.

Claim by Claim

1. 10:1
   • The woman said that when her son had entered his wedding chamber, he fell down.
   • The woman said that her son died.
2. 10:2
   • The woman said that they all then overthrew the lights.
   • The woman said that all her neighbours rose up to comfort her.
   • The woman said that she took her rest until the second day at night.
3. 10:3
   • The woman said that when they had all left off comforting her so that she might be quiet, she rose up by night and fled.
   • The woman said that she came into this field.
   • The woman said that Ezra could see the field she came to.
4. 10:4
   • The woman said that she purposed not to return into the city.
   • The woman said that she purposed to stay in the field.
   • The woman said that she purposed neither to eat nor to drink.
   • The woman said that she purposed to mourn and fast continually until she died.
5. 10:5
   • Ezra left the meditations he was engaged in.
   • Ezra spoke to the woman in anger.
6. 10:6
   • Ezra called the woman foolish above all other women.
   • Ezra asked whether she did not see their mourning.
   • Ezra asked whether she did not see what was happening to them.
7. 10:7
   • Ezra said that Sion is their mother.
   • Ezra said that Sion is full of all heaviness.
   • Ezra said that Sion is much humbled.
   • Ezra said that Sion is mourning very sorely.
8. 10:8
   • Ezra said that they all mourn and are sad.
   • Ezra said that they are all in heaviness.
   • Ezra asked whether she was grieved for only one son.
9. 10:9
   • Ezra told her to ask the earth.
   • Ezra said the earth would tell her that it is the earth which ought to mourn.
   • Ezra said the earth ought to mourn for the fall of so many that grow upon her.
10. 10:10
    • Ezra said that all came out of the earth at the first.
    • Ezra said that all others shall come out of the earth.
    • Ezra said that almost all of them walk into destruction.
    • Ezra said that a multitude of them is utterly rooted out.
11. 10:11
    • Ezra asked who should make more mourning than the earth, which has lost so great a multitude.
    • Ezra said the woman should not mourn more than the earth, since she is sorry for only one.
12. 10:12
    • Ezra stated an objection she might make: that her lamentation is not like the earth's.
    • The objection is that she lost the fruit of her womb.
    • The objection is that she brought her son forth with pains and bore him with sorrows.
13. 10:13
    • The objection continues that it is not so with the earth.
    • The objection is that the multitude present in the earth has gone as it came, according to the course of the earth.
14. 10:14
    • Ezra answered that just as she brought forth with labour, so the earth also has given her fruit.
    • Ezra said the earth's fruit is man.
    • Ezra said the earth has given her fruit ever since the beginning to him that made her.
15. 10:15
    • Ezra told her to keep her sorrow to herself.
    • Ezra told her to bear with good courage what had befallen her.
16. 10:16
    • Ezra said that if she acknowledges God's determination to be just, she will receive her son in time.
    • Ezra said that if she acknowledges God's determination to be just, she will be commended among women.
17. 10:17
    • Ezra told her to go into the city to her husband.
18. 10:18
    • The woman said she would not do that.
    • The woman said she would not go into the city.
    • The woman said she would die there.
19. 10:19
    • Ezra proceeded to speak further to her.
20. 10:20
    • Ezra told her not to do so.
    • Ezra told her to be counselled by him.
    • Ezra asked how many the adversities of Sion are.
    • Ezra told her to be comforted in regard of the sorrow of Jerusalem.
21. 10:21
    • Ezra said their sanctuary is laid waste.
    • Ezra said their altar is broken down.
    • Ezra said their temple is destroyed.
22. 10:22
    • Ezra said their psaltery is laid on the ground.
    • Ezra said their song is put to silence.
    • Ezra said their rejoicing is at an end.
    • Ezra said the light of their candlestick is put out.
    • Ezra said the ark of their covenant is spoiled.
    • Ezra said their holy things are defiled.
    • Ezra said the name that is called upon them is almost profaned.
    • Ezra said their children are put to shame.
    • Ezra said their priests are burnt.
    • Ezra said their Levites have gone into captivity.
    • Ezra said their virgins are defiled.
    • Ezra said their wives are ravished.
    • Ezra said their righteous men are carried away.
    • Ezra said their little ones are destroyed.
    • Ezra said their young men are brought into bondage.
    • Ezra said their strong men have become weak.
23. 10:23
    • Ezra said the greatest of all these is that the seal of Sion has now lost her honour.
    • Ezra said Sion is delivered into the hands of those that hate them.
24. 10:24
    • Ezra told her to shake off her great heaviness.
    • Ezra told her to put away the multitude of sorrows.
    • Ezra said this was so that the Mighty might be merciful to her again.
    • Ezra said the Highest would give her rest and ease from her labour.
25. 10:25
    • While Ezra was talking with her, her face suddenly shone exceedingly.
    • Her countenance glistered.
    • Ezra was afraid of her.
    • Ezra mused what it might be.
26. 10:26
    • The woman suddenly made a great and very fearful cry.
    • The earth shook at the noise of the woman.
27. 10:27
    • Ezra looked and the woman appeared to him no more.
    • There was a city builded in her place.
    • A large place shewed itself from the foundations.
    • Ezra was afraid.
    • Ezra cried with a loud voice and spoke.
28. 10:28
    • Ezra asked where Uriel the angel was, who came to him at the first.
    • Ezra said that Uriel had caused him to fall into many trances.
    • Ezra said his end is turned into corruption.
    • Ezra said his prayer is turned into rebuke.
29. 10:29
    • While Ezra was speaking these words, the angel came to him.
    • The angel looked upon Ezra.
30. 10:30
    • Ezra lay as one that had been dead.
    • Ezra's understanding was taken from him.
    • The angel took Ezra by the right hand.
    • The angel comforted Ezra.
    • The angel set Ezra upon his feet.
    • The angel spoke to Ezra.
31. 10:31
    • The angel asked Ezra what ailed him.
    • The angel asked why Ezra was so disquieted.
    • The angel asked why Ezra's understanding was troubled.
    • The angel asked why the thoughts of Ezra's heart were troubled.
32. 10:32
    • Ezra said it was because the angel had forsaken him.
    • Ezra said he had acted according to the angel's words.
    • Ezra said he went into the field.
    • Ezra said he had seen and still sees what he is not able to express.
33. 10:33
    • The angel told Ezra to stand up manfully.
    • The angel said he would advise Ezra.
34. 10:34
    • Ezra told the angel to speak on.
    • Ezra addressed the angel as his lord.
    • Ezra asked the angel to speak in him.
    • Ezra asked the angel not to forsake him.
    • Ezra said he feared he would die frustrated of his hope.
35. 10:35
    • Ezra said he has seen what he did not know.
    • Ezra said he hears what he does not know.
36. 10:36
    • Ezra asked whether his sense is deceived or his soul is in a dream.
37. 10:37
    • Ezra begged the angel to show his servant the meaning of this vision.
38. 10:38
    • The angel answered Ezra.
    • The angel told Ezra to hear him.
    • The angel said he would inform Ezra.
    • The angel said he would tell Ezra why he is afraid.
    • The angel said the Highest will reveal many secret things to Ezra.
39. 10:39
    • The angel said the Highest has seen that Ezra's way is right.
    • The angel said this is because Ezra sorrows continually for his people.
    • The angel said this is because Ezra makes great lamentation for Sion.
40. 10:40
    • The angel said this is the meaning of the vision Ezra lately saw.
41. 10:41
    • The angel said Ezra saw a woman mourning.
    • The angel said Ezra began to comfort her.
42. 10:42
    • The angel said Ezra now sees the likeness of the woman no more.
    • The angel said a city builded appeared to Ezra.
43. 10:43
    • The angel said the woman told Ezra of the death of her son.
    • The angel said this is the solution.
44. 10:44
    • The angel said the woman Ezra saw is Sion.
    • The angel said Sion is the one Ezra now sees as a city builded.
    • The sentence about what she said to Ezra is left unfinished.
45. 10:45
    • The angel said she told Ezra she had been barren thirty years.
    • The angel said those are the thirty years in which no offering was made in her.
46. 10:46
    • The angel said that after thirty years Solomon built the city.
    • The angel said Solomon offered offerings.
    • The angel said that then the barren woman bore a son.
47. 10:47
    • The angel said she told Ezra she nourished him with labour.
    • The angel said that was the dwelling in Jerusalem.
48. 10:48
    • The angel said she told Ezra that her son, coming into his marriage chamber, happened to have a fall and died.
    • The angel said this was the destruction that came to Jerusalem.
49. 10:49
    • The angel said Ezra saw her likeness.
    • The angel said Ezra began to comfort her because she mourned for her son.
    • The angel said that of the things which have chanced, these are to be opened to Ezra.
50. 10:50
    • The angel said the most High now sees that Ezra is grieved unfeignedly.
    • The angel said the most High sees that Ezra suffers from his whole heart for her.
    • The angel said that therefore the most High has shown Ezra the brightness of her glory.
    • The angel said the most High has shown Ezra the comeliness of her beauty.
51. 10:51
    • The angel said that for this reason he bade Ezra remain in the field where no house was builded.
52. 10:52
    • The angel said he knew that the Highest would show this to Ezra.
53. 10:53
    • The angel said he commanded Ezra to go into the field where no foundation of any building was.
54. 10:54
    • The angel said that in the place where the Highest begins to show his city, no man's building is able to stand.
55. 10:55
    • The angel told Ezra not to fear.
    • The angel told Ezra not to let his heart be affrighted.
    • The angel told Ezra to go in.
    • The angel told Ezra to see the beauty and greatness of the building, as much as his eyes are able to see.
56. 10:56
    • The angel said Ezra shall then hear as much as his ears may comprehend.
57. 10:57
    • The angel said Ezra is blessed above many others.
    • The angel said Ezra is called with the Highest.
    • The angel said only a few are so called.
58. 10:58
    • The angel said Ezra shall remain there tomorrow at night.
59. 10:59
    • The angel said the Highest will show Ezra visions of the high things.
    • The angel said these are things the most High will do to those that dwell upon the earth in the last days.
    • Ezra slept that night and another night, as the angel commanded him.

Words Worth Explaining

Every language note in this chapter, gathered. These explain what a word meant, never what it means for the reader.

10:1

The wedding chamber was the room prepared for the bride and groom. A wedding was a feast lasting days, and the couple's entry into that room was its climax, so a death at that exact moment is the sharpest possible reversal of joy.

10:2

Putting out the lamps was a mourning custom: a house of death went dark. The neighbors coming in to sit with the bereaved was also a formal practice, and it had a set length, which is why she measures her grief in days and why verse 3 speaks of them finally leaving off.

10:3

Ezra had gone out to an empty field. He went there alone to pray and think.

10:4

Going without food on purpose is called fasting. People did it to show deep sorrow, or while praying.

10:5

Ezra is speaking again here. The King James Version has no quotation marks, so it is easy to lose track of who is talking.

10:7

Zion was first the name of a hill in Jerusalem, then a name for the city itself and for its people. Scripture regularly speaks of the city as a woman, and of her inhabitants as her children, which is why Ezra can call her "our mother" and why the mourning woman in this vision turns out to be Zion herself.

10:9

The earth is addressed as the mother of everyone alive, because the first human being was described as formed out of the ground and because the dead return to it. Ezra's argument runs on that picture: if anyone has the right to grieve over lost children, it is the earth.

10:14

The King James sentence is tangled. "Unto him that made her" belongs with "hath given her fruit": the earth has been handing over her offspring, meaning human beings, to her maker ever since the world began.

10:20

Jerusalem was the most important city of God's people. Enemies had knocked it down.

10:21

The book presents Ezra as speaking in Babylon after the Babylonian army destroyed Jerusalem and burned the temple in 587 BC. The three terms are not repetition: the sanctuary is the holy building as a whole, the altar is the stone structure in the courtyard where offerings were burned, and the temple is the house itself.

10:22

A rapid inventory of what was lost. The "psaltery" is a stringed instrument used in worship. The "candlestick" is the lampstand that stood inside the temple and was kept burning. The "ark of our covenant" is the gold-covered chest that held the tablets of the law, kept in the innermost room and never seen by ordinary people; it vanished when the first temple fell. "Our holy things" are the consecrated vessels used in worship, which could be defiled by ordinary handling. "The name that is called upon us" is an old idiom for bearing God's name as a mark of belonging to him, the way a household bore its master's name. Levites were temple servants from the tribe of Levi who assisted the priests without being priests themselves. "Our priests are burnt" means they died in the fire that took the sanctuary.

10:23

A seal was a carved stone or ring pressed into soft clay or wax to mark a document or a container as authentic and as someone's property. To lose the seal was to lose both the proof of who you belonged to and the protection that came with it. The Latin of this line is damaged and the exact wording is uncertain; some copies read that Zion has lost the seal of her honor.

10:24

"The Mighty" and "the Highest" are standing titles for God throughout this book, used the way a name would be, rather than descriptions being offered here for the first time.

10:27

Foundations are the strong bottom parts that a building sits on.

10:28

Uriel is the angel who has been Ezra's guide and interrogator since the opening of the book, sent to answer his questions about God's justice. "My end is turned into corruption, and my prayer to rebuke" means his life has come out in ruin and his praying has earned him reproach instead of an answer.

10:30

His understanding was taken away. That means he could not think clearly at all.

10:33

"Stand up manfully" translates a Latin phrase meaning "act like a man," a set expression for taking courage rather than a comment on his posture.

10:34

The King James reads "Speak on, my lord, in me." The old wording is puzzling. Ezra is asking the angel to keep speaking to him.

10:37

A vision is like a picture or a dream that God gives someone.

10:39

Long ago, sad people cried out loud. Others could hear them and knew they were sad.

10:45

"Barren" means unable to bear children, which in this culture was a public misfortune and often taken as a disgrace. The number here is disputed: the Latin manuscripts behind the King James read thirty years, while the Syriac and other early versions read three thousand years, counting from the creation of the world to the building of the temple. The allegory works either way, but the scale changes completely.

10:46

Solomon, king in Jerusalem in the tenth century BC, built the first temple there. "Offered offerings" means he began the system of sacrifices, which could lawfully be carried out only at that sanctuary. That beginning of worship is what the birth of the son stands for.

10:50

Glory means shining beauty and greatness that everyone can see.

10:57

The Latin can mean called by name into the presence of the Most High, or called to belong to him. The King James "called with the Highest" keeps the ambiguity rather than settling it.

10:59

"The last days" means the closing period of the present age, the subject of the visions that follow in the rest of the book.