Ezra 10:3

Therefore let us enact ¹  a covenant with our God to send away all these women and their offspring, in keeping with your counsel, my lord, ²  and that of those who respect ³  the commandments of our God. And let it be done according to the law.

De 7:2,3; De 29:12; Jos 9:6; Jos 23:12,13; 2Ki 11:17; 2Ch 29:10; 2Ch 30:12; 2Ch 34:21,27; 2Ch 34:31,32; Ezr 9:4; Ne 8:14; Ne 9:38; Ne 10:29-39; Ne 13:1-3; Ps 119:59,120; Isa 8:20; Isa 66:2; Eze 9:4; 1Co 7:12,13

¹ tn Heb “cut.”

² tn The MT vocalizes this word as a plural, which could be understood as a reference to God. But the context seems to suggest that a human lord is intended. The apparatus of BHS suggests repointing the word as a singular (“my lord”), but this is unnecessary. The plural (“my lords”) can be understood in an honorific sense even when a human being is in view. Most English versions regard this as a reference to Ezra, so the present translation supplies “your” before “counsel” to make this clear.

³ tn Heb “who tremble at”; NAB, NIV “who fear.”