Ezra 10 30

Ezra 10:30 kjv

And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.

Ezra 10:30 nkjv

of the sons of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh;

Ezra 10:30 niv

From the descendants of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui and Manasseh.

Ezra 10:30 esv

Of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.

Ezra 10:30 nlt

From the family of Pahath-moab: Adna, Kelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 30 Meaning

Ezra 10:30 lists six men from the clan of Zattu who were identified as having taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period and committed to put them away, along with the other covenant-breaking individuals, in response to Ezra’s call for national repentance and purification. This verse is part of a longer register of names demonstrating the people's concrete action to restore their fidelity to God's covenant.

Ezra 10 30 Context

Ezra 10:30 is situated within Ezra's efforts to reform the post-exilic Jewish community that had returned to Jerusalem. The immediate context of chapter 10 is the collective response to Ezra's deep lament over the sin of intermarriage with foreign women, which constituted a direct violation of Mosaic law and the covenant God had established with Israel. This transgression threatened to reintroduce idolatry and corrupt the distinct spiritual identity of the nascent community. The chapter records the national assembly's decision to rectify this by dismissing foreign wives and the children born from these unions. Ezra 10:30 specifically names six men from the clan of Zattu who were involved in this act of covenant breach and, by extension, participated in the subsequent act of repentance and restoration. This was a critical step in preserving the purity and integrity of the people of God during a vulnerable time of rebuilding.

Ezra 10 30 Word analysis

• Of the sons: In Hebrew, bəney (בְּנֵי). This denotes descendants, a specific lineage, or clan members. It emphasizes a corporate identity and highlights that the actions, whether sinful or redemptive, impact the family unit and the wider community. The problem of foreign wives was not just individual but systemic, affecting families.
• of Zattu: Hebrew, Zattu (זַתּוּא). This identifies a prominent family or clan within Judah. They are listed among those who returned from Babylonian exile in Ezra 2:8, indicating they were part of the initial wave of returnees. Their inclusion in this list of covenant breakers signifies the widespread nature of the intermarriage problem, affecting even established families, and their compliance in putting away the wives demonstrates collective repentance.
• Elioenai: Hebrew, ʼElîyôʽēnay (אֶלְיוֹעֵנַי). Meaning "My eyes are toward Yahweh" or "Toward Yahweh are my eyes." This name, like many others of the period, is a theophoric name, reflecting devotion or trust in Yahweh. The irony is poignant; a man named "My eyes are toward Yahweh" had taken a foreign wife, highlighting the disparity between outward religious affinity and practical obedience.
• Eliashib: Hebrew, ʼElyāšîḇ (אֶלְיָשִׁיב). Meaning "God restores" or "God brings back." Another common priestly name, possibly signifying hope in God's restoration. This name, given the context, powerfully echoes the national hope that God would restore His people as they purged themselves of sin.
• Mattaniah: Hebrew, Mattanyāh (מַתַּנְיָה). Meaning "Gift of Yahweh." This name frequently appears in biblical texts, notably borne by various Levites and priests.
• Jeremoth: Hebrew, Yerēmōwt (יְרֵמ֛וֹת). A common name, the meaning of which is less certain but may relate to "heights" or "exalted."
• Zabad: Hebrew, Zāḇāḏ (זָבָ֥ד). Meaning "He has bestowed" or "given."
• Aziza: Hebrew, ‘Ǎzīzāʼ (וַעֲזִיזָֽא). Possibly meaning "Strong" or "Powerful." This name is rarer in the Old Testament.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Of the sons of Zattu...": This opening phrase specifies the family origin, indicating a structured process of accountability based on tribal and family lineage. The detailed list of names underscores the seriousness of the issue and the public nature of the repentance. It emphasizes that no one, regardless of family standing, was exempt from the requirements of the Law.
• The list of names (Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, Aziza): The inclusion of these six distinct personal names indicates concrete actions and individual accountability. The act of listing them serves as a public record, underscoring the transparency and enforceability of the decree. It also suggests that the leadership desired to demonstrate that the collective decision was carried out meticulously and without partiality, reflecting a serious commitment to upholding the covenant. Many of these names contain elements referring to "Yahweh" or "God," providing a stark contrast between their identity and their actions, which ultimately necessitated this purging.

Ezra 10 30 Bonus section

The detailed naming in Ezra 10 is reminiscent of legal documents or census records found in the ancient Near East, adding a sense of historical veracity and emphasizing the thoroughness of the judicial process. This systematic documentation aimed to record not just the sin but also the corporate and individual commitment to national repentance. The sheer number of names listed throughout Ezra 10 (over 100 men) highlights the widespread nature of the intermarriage problem, indicating it was not an isolated incident but a significant challenge to the spiritual rebuilding of post-exilic Israel. The harshness of divorcing wives and sending away children is often debated, but it must be understood within the specific covenantal and redemptive-historical context: preventing spiritual apostasy and preserving the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come. It underscores that God's plan required a set-apart people, distinct from pagan influences, to fulfill His purposes.

Ezra 10 30 Commentary

Ezra 10:30 presents a brief, specific record of individuals from the Zattu clan who complied with the assembly's decision to rectify the sin of intermarriage. This verse is not just a dry genealogical entry but a testament to the difficult yet necessary measures taken to purify the returning Israelite community. The practice of intermarrying with foreign women from pagan lands posed an existential threat to Israel's identity as a distinct, holy people dedicated to Yahweh. It risked syncretism, idolatry, and a departure from the covenant stipulations that were foundational to their restoration in the land. The individual names, many being theophoric and reflecting a connection to Yahweh, starkly highlight the disconnect between professed faith and practical obedience that permeated the community. The act of "putting away" foreign wives, though seemingly harsh, was deemed crucial for preserving the spiritual integrity and long-term survival of the Jewish remnant, safeguarding future generations from falling into the very apostasy that had led to their Babylonian exile. It serves as a stark reminder of the rigorous demands of covenant fidelity and the seriousness with which God's people must address sin that threatens to undermine their unique calling and identity.