Ezra 10:16 Commentary and Bible Study

‘They made an end’ – it doesn't mean they executed them; it means they processed all the offenders, and made judgements against them, and the divorces were arranged with whatever compassionate terms. Ezra doesn't mention that either here or in the final verse of the chapter how it was done all the arrangements; he makes no mention of the consideration given to the wives or children. There were some children by these wives, the final verse says. So we have to assume that it was handled as compassionately as possible. The text here from Ezra is only concerned to record the judgement was carried out, and the separations accomplished. They began this work on the twentieth day of the ninth month, so it took about three and half months to process all the cases. We can assume that the wives and children were provided for and those divorcing them undertook to care for them. All of this took some time to process.