10:8 these were the priests. Apparently twenty-one representative priest signed the covenant, not including Zidkijah (or Zedekiah) who may have been either an aide to Nehemiah or else chief among the priests at the time. Ezra, the most important among the priests at Jerusalem, did not sign, however. No reason is given, but perhaps it was because he considered his work finished at Jerusalem and soon would be returning to Persia. He had established the governmental and judicial systems for Judah, had led the people in a revival of awareness of God’s Word, and Nehemiah had been appointed governor to carry on the work he had begun.