Ezra 10 32

Ezra 10:32 kjv

Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.

Ezra 10:32 nkjv

Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah;

Ezra 10:32 niv

Benjamin, Malluk and Shemariah.

Ezra 10:32 esv

Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.

Ezra 10:32 nlt

Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 32 Meaning

Ezra 10:32 states: "Of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Ramoth." This verse lists six men from the clan of Bani who had taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period and, in response to Ezra's reforms and the people's renewed covenant with God, agreed to separate from them. It is a factual record acknowledging their specific involvement in the widespread sin of intermarriage and their participation in the community's purification process. The verse signifies an act of confession, repentance, and obedience to God's law.

Ezra 10 32 Context

Ezra 10:32 is found within the tenth and final chapter of the book of Ezra, which details the culmination of Ezra’s mission to reform the Jewish community returning from Babylonian exile. Upon discovering the widespread sin of intermarriage between Jewish men and foreign women (Ezra 9:1-2), which violated explicit Mosaic commands, Ezra was deeply distressed. After a public prayer of confession and lament (Ezra 9:3-15), the people, led by Shecaniah, pledged to make a covenant with God to put away their foreign wives and their children (Ezra 10:1-5). An assembly was convened, and a formal investigation committee was established to deal with this serious issue systematically (Ezra 10:6-17).

Verses 18-44 of Ezra chapter 10 list the specific individuals by name who were found guilty of intermarriage and committed to rectify their transgression by separating from their foreign wives. Ezra 10:32 specifically identifies six men belonging to the prominent clan of Bani. This act was seen as crucial for restoring Israel's purity, maintaining their unique covenant identity as God's separated people, and preventing a repeat of the idolatry and assimilation that had historically led to their exile. The collective action demonstrates a communal resolve to prioritize spiritual and covenant fidelity over personal ties that threatened the very survival of the pure line and religious identity of Israel in the post-exilic period.

Ezra 10 32 Word analysis

Below is a word-by-word analysis and analysis by word group for Ezra 10:32: "Of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Ramoth."

• Of the (prepositional phrase): Denotes a relationship of belonging or derivation. It signifies these men are members or descendants of the clan identified as "Bani."

• sons of (Hebrew: בְּנֵי, b'nei): A plural construct noun meaning "sons of" or "descendants of." This phrase indicates familial lineage and often points to a clan or tribal affiliation rather than immediate offspring in the biblical context. It emphasizes that these individuals were not isolated cases but belonged to specific, identifiable families within the community. The problem of intermarriage affected recognized lineages, underscoring its widespread nature.

• Bani (Hebrew: בָנִי, Bani): A proper name, likely of a significant clan or family. Bani is mentioned multiple times in Ezra and Nehemiah, often in connection with returnees from exile, Levites, or those who signed the covenant, indicating their prominence. For this specific verse, the user query might have incorrectly stated "Ben-Kain," as biblical manuscripts uniformly use "Bani." Their inclusion here means that even influential families were not immune to this sin, yet they participated in the public repentance, demonstrating communal accountability and the pervasive impact of Ezra's reform.

• Meshullam (Hebrew: מְשֻׁלָּם, Meshullam): A proper name meaning "repaid," "completed," or "at peace." This name is common in post-exilic texts, possibly indicating a longing for restoration or completeness. Here, it signifies an individual from the Bani clan, contributing to the list of those needing spiritual restoration through separation.

• Malluch (Hebrew: מַלּוּךְ, Malluch): A proper name meaning "reigning" or "ruler." Similar to Meshullam, it's a personal name, not descriptive of the person's role here, but its inclusion specifies an individual who committed to the covenant renewal.

• Adaiah (Hebrew: עֲדָיָה, Adaiah): A proper name meaning "Yahweh has adorned." The name could be ironic, as the actions of taking foreign wives brought dishonor, yet their repentance here allows them to be 'adorned' by God through obedience.

• Jashub (Hebrew: יָשׁוּב, Jashub): A proper name meaning "he will return" or "returning." This name is particularly fitting in the context of a community returning to their homeland and returning to fidelity to God's law.

• Sheal (Hebrew: שְׁאָל, Sheal): A proper name meaning "to ask" or "asked for."

• and Ramoth (Hebrew: רָמוֹת, Ramoth): A proper name meaning "heights" or "exalted places." It completes the list of six individuals from the Bani family.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Of the sons of Bani": This phrase precisely identifies the familial origin of the men, emphasizing their communal identity within Israel. It points to a well-known family, suggesting that the sin of intermarriage had penetrated established segments of society, necessitating a public and collective rectification. This phrase is key to understanding the scope of the problem and the communal nature of the repentance.

• "Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Ramoth": The enumeration of names underscores the painstaking and thorough nature of Ezra's reform. Each name represents a specific individual who had to personally and publicly separate from a foreign marriage, demonstrating the commitment of many in the community to rectify their error and renew their covenant. The act of listing their names served as a record of accountability and a testament to the radical steps taken for communal holiness. The commonality of these names across various texts in Ezra-Nehemiah reflects a deeply ingrained society-wide challenge.

Ezra 10 32 Bonus section

The directive to separate from foreign wives and children, while harsh, was understood as a critical and perhaps one-time measure to save Israel from a complete assimilation and religious annihilation, mirroring the very reasons for their Babylonian exile. Scholars note this was a severe "divorce," but undertaken for a corporate, spiritual imperative under extreme circumstances, setting apart Israel to fulfill its specific role in redemptive history. The fact that prominent clans like Bani are listed emphasizes that no one was exempt from this sweeping cleansing. This act serves as a potent example of prioritizing absolute obedience to God's law and the corporate holiness of the community above all else, showcasing a radical commitment to purifying the "holy seed" to prevent its mingling and corruption, ultimately protecting the path to Christ.

Ezra 10 32 Commentary

Ezra 10:32, though a simple listing of names, represents a pivotal moment in Israel's post-exilic history. It records the active participation of individuals from the Bani clan in the mandated separation from foreign wives, a crucial step in Ezra’s spiritual reforms. This seemingly dry genealogical entry symbolizes profound covenant renewal. The decision to "put away" foreign wives, while personally agonizing for those involved and challenging conventional understandings of marriage, was a radical, corporate act essential for preserving Israel's unique identity as God's chosen people. It was not based on racism but on the clear divine command against spiritual syncretism, protecting the pure worship of Yahweh and the sacred lineage destined to bring forth the Messiah. The meticulous listing of names underscores accountability and the collective nature of sin and repentance within God’s covenant community.