Book of Ezra - Chapter 10 - Verse 44

Within the context of the Bible, the verse 'All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.' is found in the book of Ezra, specifically in Ezra 10:44. This verse refers to a time when the Israelites who had returned from exile were instructed to put away their foreign wives and the children they had with them. This was because intermarriage with non-Israelites was seen as a violation of the covenant with God and a threat to the purity of the Israelite community. The term "strange wives" here refers to foreign wives, who were not part of the Israelite community. The Israelites were commanded to separate from these wives in order to maintain their identity as God's chosen people. Despite the difficult decision to part ways with their wives and children, it was seen as necessary to uphold their religious and cultural beliefs. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining one's faith and allegiance to God above all else.

When referring to "strange wives," the theological interpretation of this verse typically revolves around the concept of intermarriage with women from other nations. In the context of the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Ezra, the Israelites were instructed not to marry women from the surrounding pagan nations due to the risk of them turning the hearts of the Israelites away from God. This was seen as a violation of the covenant between God and His chosen people. The word "strange" in this context connotes foreign or non-Israelite women. The mention of children born from these marriages underscores the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's instructions in maintaining the purity of one's faith and spiritual heritage.