Ezra 10 26

Ezra 10:26 kjv

And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.

Ezra 10:26 nkjv

of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Eliah;

Ezra 10:26 niv

From the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth and Elijah.

Ezra 10:26 esv

Of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.

Ezra 10:26 nlt

From the family of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 26 Meaning

Ezra chapter 10, verse 26 lists six specific men—Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah—who were members of the clan descended from Elam. These individuals had taken foreign wives in violation of God's covenant and were among those who responded to Ezra's call to repentance by separating from these forbidden unions. The verse documents a part of the faithful action taken by the returned exiles to purify the community and restore their covenant obedience.

Ezra 10 26 Context

Ezra 10:26 appears within the larger narrative of Ezra's spiritual reform following his discovery that the returning exiles had committed a severe sin by intermarrying with the foreign peoples of the land, a direct violation of God's law intended to prevent idolatry and preserve the unique identity of the covenant community. Chapter 10 details the public confession, the commitment by oath to separate from these foreign wives, and the subsequent process of identifying the men involved. Verses 18-43 present a series of specific lists, broken down by various families and clans, enumerating the men who had taken foreign wives and put them away. Verse 26, specifically listing six men from the clan of Elam, serves as a record of obedience and accountability, emphasizing the tangible commitment of the community members to purge this sin and uphold the covenant, thereby re-establishing spiritual purity for the people of God in the post-exilic era. This act was a polemic against syncretism and assimilation, affirming the exclusive loyalty due to Yahweh and His commands.

Ezra 10 26 Word analysis

• Of the sons of Elam: The Hebrew is Mi-bĕnê ʿÊlām (מִבְּנֵי עֵילָם). Mi- means "from" or "of". Bĕnê (בְּנֵי) means "sons of" or "descendants of," indicating tribal or clan affiliation. ʿÊlām (עֵילָם) refers to a prominent family group who had returned from exile, mentioned previously in Ezra 2:7. This highlights the familial responsibility and the extent to which the intermarriage had penetrated various clans within the community.
• Mattaniah: In Hebrew, Mattanyāh (מַתַּנְיָה), meaning "Gift of Yah(weh)." This name signifies divine grace or provision, which creates a poignant contrast with the individual's past disobedience.
• Zechariah: In Hebrew, Zĕkaryāh (זְכַרְיָה), meaning "Yah(weh) has remembered." This name itself serves as a reminder that God remembers His covenant and His people's actions, both good and bad, calling to mind the seriousness of their breach of covenant but also the grace extended through their repentance.
• Jehiel: In Hebrew, Yĕḥîʾēl (יְחִיאֵל), meaning "May God live" or "God lives." It affirms God's existence and life-giving power, suggesting that the path back to life and blessing lies in obedience to Him.
• Abdi: In Hebrew, ʿAbdî (עַבְדִּי), meaning "My servant" or "Servant of Yah(weh)." The name signifies devoted service, yet the man named such needed to turn back to actual service by obeying God's command.
• Jeremoth: In Hebrew, Yĕrêmôt (יְרֵמוֹת), meaning "Heights" or "Exalted." This name may refer to a place or status, ironically implying a fall from true spiritual high ground that needed to be regained through humility and obedience.
• Elijah: In Hebrew, ʾÊlîyāh (אֵלִיָּה), meaning "My God is Yah(weh)." This powerful affirmation of monotheism, famously associated with the great prophet, serves as a stark reminder that even those bearing names signifying deep devotion can stumble and require divine correction and repentance to affirm their commitment to the true God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Of the sons of Elam:" This introductory phrase anchors these individuals to a specific lineage within the returned exiles. It emphasizes that the problem of intermarriage was not confined to a few isolated cases but had spread into established family structures, underscoring the deep roots of the sin. It also highlights that these families, despite being among the remnant, were still susceptible to past failings.
• "Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah." The explicit listing of individual names validates the gravity of the issue and the comprehensive nature of the reform. It implies personal accountability for the sin committed and for the act of repentance. These are not merely statistics but named individuals whose lives were brought back into alignment with the divine will. The mention of each name signifies the thoroughness of the inventory and the personal commitment involved in the communal restoration. The act of recording names also preserves their faithful obedience for future generations.

Ezra 10 26 Bonus section

• The naming of these individuals serves as an ancient form of public record and accountability, ensuring that the extent of the problem and the resolution were known and recorded within the community's sacred history. It underscores the transparent nature of the reform process.
• The inclusion of such a detailed list throughout Ezra 10 (vv. 18-43) signifies the meticulous efforts of Ezra and the leaders to ensure a thorough cleansing. It implies that no one was overlooked, reinforcing the seriousness with which God's commands regarding separation and holiness were now being treated.
• The fact that these men are explicitly listed suggests they complied with the oath taken to put away their wives. Thus, this verse implicitly highlights the theme of obedience following a clear call to repentance. It portrays these individuals as examples of covenant faithfulness amidst a difficult choice.

Ezra 10 26 Commentary

Ezra 10:26 is not merely a dry list of names; it represents a profound spiritual turning point for specific individuals and, by extension, for the post-exilic community. This verse exemplifies the costly yet necessary nature of true repentance. These men, along with many others, faced the challenging demand to separate from their foreign wives and children, which went against common cultural practice and likely caused significant personal pain. However, their decision to obey Ezra's proclamation, rooted in God's covenant law, demonstrates a priority for God's holiness and the distinct identity of Israel above personal ties. This public and recorded act of separation was vital for purging the defilement that threatened to undermine the renewed covenant community and lead them back into the idolatry that characterized their pre-exilic downfall. It underscores the biblical principle that genuine repentance involves tangible action, often requiring difficult sacrifices to realign life with divine commands. It solidified a reformed people, set apart for Yahweh.