Ezra 10:5

Ezra's prompt action: an oath administered to the princes.

the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel R.V. the chiefs of the priests. Here as in Ezra 8:29 the A.V. by rendering -chief priests" gives an erroneous meaning. -The chiefs" here spoken of are the princes or leaders of the three groups into which the people divides itself at this time, priests, Levites, and Israel or laity. Cf. -the chiefs of the priests" (2 Chronicles 36:14), -the chiefs of the Levites" (2 Chronicles 35:9), -the princes (or chiefs) of Judah" (Nehemiah 12:31), -the princes of the people" (Nehemiah 11:1). The rendering of the LXX. (ὥρκισε τοὺς ἄρχοντας τοὺς ἱερεῖς κ.τ.λ.) seems to make -the princes" or chiefs a separate class from the priests and the Levites.

Ezra's policy was at once to bind to his side the leaders of the people. By administering to them the oath of cooperation in the work of reform, while public feeling was still intensely aroused, he secured from them a public assurance of support. After that, they could not well recede from their oath. If they did not second his efforts, their hands were effectually tied. In dealing with a community which was to all intents and purposes a religious oligarchy, to compromise the chiefs or princes in his favour was the first and surest step to a successful result.

according to this word i.e. Shecaniah's proposal that the people should put away from them the foreign women, whom they had married.