Ezra 10:19

they gave their hands R.V. their hand. The Hebrew has the singular. On this symbol of a promise or pledge compare 2 Kings 10:15 -If it be, give me thine hand. And he gave him his hand". Ezekiel 17:18 -And behold, he had given his hand, and yet hath done all these things". Lamentations 5:6 -We have given the hand to the Egyptians". 2 Chronicles 30:8 -But yield yourselves (Heb. give the hand) unto the Lord".

andbeing guilty, &c. It has been supposed that whereas the solemn pledge or promise, to put away the strange women, was made by all, the priests alone had to offer the sacrifice of a ram. The sacrifice of a ram for a guilt offering is enjoined, -if anyone commit a trespass and sin unwittingly, in the holy things of the Lord" (see Leviticus 5:14-19). There is however no real reason for limiting the guilt offering to the priests. The passage from Leviticus makes no such restriction. It is probable that this verse represents the form of solemn renunciation imposed upon all the offenders, i.e. the promise and the guilt offering. It is mentioned after the first names on the list, and should be understood after each recorded group of names. The repetition of the formula was considered unnecessary.

being guilty These words sound like the sentence of the commission, after investigating each case.

20, 21, 22. The sons of Immer, Harim and Pashur. In Ezra 2:37-39 and Nehemiah 7:40-42 the order of the names is Immer, Pashur and Harim. In 1 Chronicles 24:8-14 -Harim" is the third and Immer the sixteenth priestly course: see notes on Ezra 2:37, &c.

Several of the names here mentioned occur in the lists of Nehemiah 8:12.