Ezra 10 20

Ezra 10:20 kjv

And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.

Ezra 10:20 nkjv

Also of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah;

Ezra 10:20 niv

From the descendants of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah.

Ezra 10:20 esv

Of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah.

Ezra 10:20 nlt

From the family of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 20 Meaning

Ezra 10:20 records two individuals, Hanani and Zebadiah, identified as belonging to the family of Immer, who were among those who had taken foreign wives and committed to putting them away, a direct response to the call for national repentance and purification from unlawful intermarriage. This verse signifies the painful but necessary act of obedience and separation required to re-establish the covenant people in holiness before God following the return from Babylonian exile. It highlights the widespread nature of the sin, affecting even prominent priestly families.

Ezra 10 20 Context

Ezra chapter 10 recounts the practical response of the post-exilic community to the confession of sin, specifically the widespread practice of intermarriage with foreign women. Following Ezra’s deep grief and prayer in chapter 9, the people, led by Shechaniah, made a covenant to separate from these foreign wives and their children born from these unions. The process involved a formal assembly and investigation over three months, where specific individuals were identified. Verse 20 is part of a list of those identified as having committed this sin, specifically from the family of Immer, indicating that even members of significant priestly lineages were involved. This reform was crucial for maintaining the holiness and distinct identity of the repatriated Jewish community, preventing a relapse into idolatry and assimilation that had contributed to the prior exile.

Ezra 10 20 Word analysis

• Of the sons (בְּנֵ֣י): The Hebrew word is beney (בְּנֵי), meaning 'sons of' or 'descendants of'. This phrase denotes lineage and familial belonging, which was crucial for establishing tribal identity, inheritance, and religious standing in ancient Israel. In this context, it highlights that individuals, identified by their paternal lineage, were part of the problem and the solution.
• Immer (אִמֵּר): This is a family name ('Immer). It represents one of the 24 priestly divisions established by David (1 Chr 24:14). Members of the Immer priestly family returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:37) and also signed the covenant with Nehemiah (Neh 10:3). The fact that members of a prominent priestly house engaged in intermarriage underscores the pervasive nature of the sin, highlighting a failure of leadership and spiritual purity among those meant to uphold God's law. This specific mention adds to the detailed, painful accountability required for national repentance.
• Hanani (חֲנָנִי): A common Hebrew name (Ḥǎnānî) meaning "gracious" or "Yahweh has shown favor." While other individuals named Hanani appear in the Bible (e.g., Nehemiah’s brother), this is a distinct person identified within the context of Ezra's reform. His inclusion in this list indicates personal involvement in the widespread sin of intermarriage.
• and Zebadiah (וּזְבַדְיָֽהוּ): The Hebrew word is u-Zəbaḏyāhû, with the 'u-' meaning 'and'. The name Zəbaḏyāhû means "Yahweh has bestowed" or "gift of Yahweh." Like Hanani, Zebadiah is a common biblical name often found among Levites and priests. His presence on this list, alongside Hanani, emphasizes that two specific individuals from the Immer priestly lineage were found guilty of the offense and publicly identified in the meticulous process of purification. The detailing of names indicates thoroughness and personal accountability within the community's commitment to reform.

• "Of the sons of Immer": This phrase directly links Hanani and Zebadiah to a specific priestly family, emphasizing that even those who were expected to exemplify purity and uphold God's law were involved in unlawful unions. This highlights the deep spiritual declension that had permeated all levels of society. The inclusion of a priestly line's specific individuals signals the gravity of the sin and the uncompromising nature of the necessary reform. It also showcases the divine demand for purity among those set apart for service, as priestly families were key in spiritual leadership.
• "Hanani and Zebadiah": The simple listing of these two names denotes direct, individual responsibility. It signifies that the confession and subsequent action were not abstract but concrete, involving identifiable people. This personal identification underlines the challenging and often painful commitment required when addressing communal sin, reinforcing the seriousness with which the assembly approached God's law and their covenant with Him.

Ezra 10 20 Bonus section

The careful documentation of names in Ezra 10 is reminiscent of biblical genealogies, but here it serves as a register of accountability rather than lineage. It provides a unique glimpse into the post-exilic community's struggle with fidelity to the Law. The involvement of priestly families like Immer was particularly egregious because priests were guardians of the law and ritual purity. Their compromise magnified the spiritual crisis. The drastic measure of sending away wives and children, while seemingly harsh by modern standards, was viewed as necessary to preserve the religious and ethnic identity of Israel, preventing idolatry and assimilation that God had consistently warned against, often citing previous historical failures like that of King Solomon. This action highlights a profound recognition by the returned exiles of their past sins, viewing this as an extreme form of spiritual surgical precision to safeguard future generations.

Ezra 10 20 Commentary

Ezra 10:20 provides a precise record of individuals from the priestly family of Immer who had engaged in foreign marriages and were now separating from them. This verse, a part of a comprehensive list in Ezra 10, underscores the community's earnest commitment to practical repentance after widespread sin. The mention of priestly families such as Immer confirms that the problem of intermarriage had infiltrated even the spiritual leadership, demanding a rigorous and uncompromising cleansing. The meticulous listing of names demonstrates the painful yet essential process of identifying and addressing specific acts of disobedience, marking a clear societal pivot towards re-establishing the covenant people in holiness. It shows that true confession leads to concrete action, irrespective of personal cost.