Ezra 10:1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The impact of Ezra's heartfelt intercession, marked by his tears and deep sorrow, is evident when a diverse assembly of individuals came to him. Their weeping may have stemmed either from the repentance of sinners or from the grief of the righteous over their fallen brothers. Regardless of whether the sorrowful were the repentant or the innocent, it is clear that all were profoundly affected by the prayers and sorrow of their high priest, as it is noted that women and children were also present. This suggests that those who were righteous first approached Ezra, as he describes, "Then were gathered unto me all that feared the words of the God of Israel because of the transgression of the immigrants" (1 Ezra 9:4). Subsequently, those who had transgressed came to him along with their families seeking repentance.