Hi

After the temple and walls were rebuilt, Nehemiah chapter 10 speaks of the roster of those who signed / sealed the covenant.
Verses 1 thru 8 contain the names of the priests.

Question: Why isn't Ezra's name mentioned... why didn't he sign the covenant? I would think he would be the first one standing in line right next to Nehemiah.

Can anyone shed some light on this?

I'm not at all certain but...I'll take a stab at it.

They rebuilt the temple but the worst thing of all wasn't corrected. Perhaps that is why Ezra didn't sign. God pointed it out at the river [Ezra 8:15]....I viewed the People, and the priests, and found there none of the sons of Levi.

That was when the Kenites (scribes) took over for the lazy Levites. Nethanim are still in the house of God. The priesthood was weak because not one Levite was with them. They allowed the Nethanim to do their duties and it has not yet been corrected...nor will be until the 2nd. advent of Christ.

There began the religious community that crucified Christ.


Editing to add....That was quite an observation you made, that Ezra's name wasn't there. Wow.

http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp...E&artid=578


—Critical View:
The historical character of the Biblical data regarding Ezra the Scribe (after Ed. Meyer, "Die Entstehung des Judenthums," p. 321) is generally conceded. But the zeal of Ezra to carry out his theory that Israel should be a holy seed (), and therefore of absolutely pure Hebrew stock, was not altogether effective; that his views met with opposition is indicated in the books of Ruth and Jonah. The "book of the law" which he proclaimed at the public assembly (Neh. viii.-x.) is substantially identified with the Priestly Code (P), which, though containing older priestly ordinances ("torot"), came to be recognized as the constitutional law of the congregation (Judaism) only after Ezra's time and largely through his and Nehemiah's influence and authority. E. G. H.

Aug 26 2008, 06:56 PM
http://www.christian-forum.net/index.php?s...c=22734&hl=
`ezra's Knowledge Of Torah Equal With Moses, Levite, Priest Ezra, restored the whole ancient Scriptures

Hi Judi,

When they are signing the covenant, now in chapter 10 there are many Levites referenced. Chapter 11 speaks of 10 percent coming back to re-populate Jerusalem after 70 years of it being a ghost town.

The covenant was a sign of their willingness to be obedient to God's Law and this was pleasing to God.

And also, interesting to note, Ezra is present at the dedication of the walls in Nehemiah 12:1, but now Nehemiah, the builder of the walls, is not present.

Interesting you brought up the Nethinims. Even when the numbers of Levites increased, they still had them. It was in God's sovereign plan, no doubt..

Thank You!

P.S. The HS brought this to my attention for some reason.

Thanks for the added info on Ezra, Crown7.

The context seems to be the discovery of falling short of obeying the commandments, especially concerning "strange wives". This trespass was chief among even the priests of Levi, to which Ezra belonged. Perhaps Ezra was not guilty concerning this matter and was no need for him to seal his consecration, for which as far as I understand concerned the putting away of the strange wives and children. There were many children who spoke half in the language of Ashdod and the other in Hebrew. So by that time the Language was quite compromised. Even today there is still remnants of the Babylonian captivity sprinkled in the Hebrew language.
When Yah gave the commandmentst to Israel, there were no proper names for months. They were just numerical. After the captivity there are proper names (many of Babylonian derivation) given to months such as Tammuz, Nissan, etc.

[quote by raysondawn]
The context seems to be the discovery of falling short of obeying the commandments, especially concerning "strange wives". This trespass was chief among even the priests of Levi, to which Ezra belonged. Perhaps Ezra was not guilty concerning this matter and was no need for him to seal his consecration,


C7A :
WHAT A FANTASTIC OPTION OF ELIMINATION THEORY !

Ezra, sealed by an oath. Not required to sign.


http://www.bibleplus.org/Prophecy/rev/11_seal_of_god.htm
The covenant was sealed by an oath

You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the LORD your God, a covenant the LORD is making with you this day and sealing with an oath, to confirm you this day as his people, that he may be your God as he promised you and as he swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Deut. 29:12, 13)

Bind up the testimony and seal up the law among my disciples. I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. (Isa. 8:16, 17)

Hi Rays,

Nehemiah was the first one mentioned in chapter 10 that signed... and he didn't take a foreign wife either.

It would appear that the sealing / signing of the covenant was a pledge to separate themselves from the peoples of the lands, and submit to the Law of God... whether one was guilty or not.

Appreciate your thoughts.