Ezra 10:15

Employed about this matter. Literally, “stood up against this matter,” meaning that they opposed it. The same words are used in this same sense in 1 Chronicles 21:1; Daniel 8:25; 11:14.

The reason for the opposition of Jonathan, Jahaziah, and their supporters, is not stated. None of the four men is mentioned in the list of the transgressors, and no one could accuse them of seeking to protect themselves. The Levite Meshullam of verse 15 cannot be identified with the Meshullam of verse 29, who did not belong to the Levites, because the Levitic transgressors are mentioned in verses 23, 24. These four men were either strongheaded fanatics, who opposed any delay and wanted the matter settled then and there, or they had been bribed to act on behalf of some transgressors who did not dare to voice their opposition publicly. Whatever their reasons, these men did not succeed. The narrative makes clear that the measures Ezra proposed were carried out.