עזרא, פרק י׳, פסוק ה׳

To guarantee that a difficult decision is actually carried out, decisive action is required. Ezra anchors the community's new direction by demanding a public and binding oath. Rather than addressing every individual, he focuses on the establishment. The oath is administered to the heads of the priests, the Levites, and the leaders of the Israelites, rather than the entire population [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

Securing the commitment of these leaders is a strategic move designed to ensure that the necessary changes will be implemented with the broad agreement of the general public [מלבי״ם]. By taking this oath, the leadership makes a full commitment to follow Ezra's guidance and execute every step required to correct the situation [ביאור שטיינזלץ].