Ezra 10 34

Ezra 10:34 kjv

Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,

Ezra 10:34 nkjv

of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel,

Ezra 10:34 niv

From the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel,

Ezra 10:34 esv

Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel,

Ezra 10:34 nlt

From the family of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel,

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 34 Meaning

Ezra 10:34 presents a concise list of six specific individuals—Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, and Cheluhi—who belonged to the clan of Bani. These men are identified as having transgressed the covenant by marrying foreign wives, an act forbidden to the Israelites. The verse is part of a larger record detailing those who responded to Ezra’s call for national repentance and committed to separate from their non-Israelite spouses, thus participating in the purification and restoration of the post-exilic community.

Ezra 10 34 Context

Ezra chapter 10 records a pivotal moment in post-exilic Judah’s spiritual restoration. After Ezra’s return to Jerusalem and discovery of widespread intermarriage with pagan peoples, he was overcome with grief, leading to a public confession of sin (Ezra 9). Moved by Ezra’s anguish and understanding the severity of their disobedience, the people gathered and vowed to rectify their transgression. This vow included sending away their foreign wives and the children born of these unions. Chapter 10 then details the implementation of this painful yet necessary decision. Overseen by a special commission, an inquiry was conducted over three months, identifying individuals who had taken foreign wives. Verses 18-44 list these individuals by their family lines, beginning with the priests and Levites, and then prominent lay families, demonstrating the pervasive nature of the problem across all segments of society. Ezra 10:34 specifically identifies members of the clan of Bani, reinforcing the methodical and extensive nature of this community-wide purification.

Ezra 10 34 Word analysis

• Of the sons of Bani: (מִבְּנֵי בָנִי – mi-beney Bani)

  • "Of the sons of": (מִבְּנֵי – mi-beney) The prefix mi- indicates "from" or "of," showing membership or descent. "Beney" is the plural construct form of ben, meaning "sons of" or "descendants of." This phrase clearly identifies the lineage.
  • "Bani": (בָנִי – Bānî) This is a proper noun, a clan or family name. Its root (בנה – banah) means "to build" or "to establish." In a literal sense, it could mean "my building" or "my son" (if derived from ben with a suffix). Here, it signifies a specific Israelite family lineage that had returned from exile and was among those implicated in the intermarriage issue. The family's prominent mention suggests they were a significant household among the returned exiles.

• Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi: These are six distinct proper nouns, individual names. Their inclusion emphasizes the precise and accountable nature of the census and the repentance process. The list of names underscores that this was not a generalized confession but a personal identification and commitment.

  • Maadai: (מַעֲדַי – Ma‘ăḏay) Meaning "ornament of Yah" or "adornment of the LORD." This name highlights the stark contrast between its theological meaning (beauty or adornment given by God) and the actions of its bearer, who engaged in practices that defiled the community and disobeyed God's covenant.
  • Amram: (עַמְרָם – ‘Amrām) Meaning "exalted people" or "my kinsman is exalted." A familiar name from Exodus, where Moses’ father was Amram (Exod 6:20). Its presence here among those who intermarried shows how deeply this sin had permeated, affecting even those bearing names associated with Israel's esteemed history.
  • Uel: (אוּאֵל – ’Û’ēl) Meaning "will of God" or "wish of God." Like Maadai, the name itself reflects a theological connection, yet the individual’s actions were contrary to God's revealed will regarding marriage within the covenant.
  • Benaiah: (בְּנָיָה – Bənayāh) Meaning "YHWH has built" or "YHWH has established." This name appears frequently in the Old Testament, associated with valiant men and officials, notably one of David's mighty men (2 Sam 23:20). Its appearance here implies that men of standing, whose names bespoke divine action, were also complicit in the sin.
  • Bedeiah: (בֵּדְיָה – Bêḏəyāh) Meaning "servant of Yah" or "YHWH knows/redeems." This name, like others, suggests a religious affiliation, yet the person acted contrary to the service or knowledge of YHWH by defiling the holy seed through intermarriage.
  • Cheluhi: (כְּלוּהִי – Kəlûhî) The meaning is less certain, possibly related to "all of him" or "perfected/finished of him," perhaps implying wholeness or completeness. Its rare occurrence makes definitive etymology challenging, but its listing solidifies the specific and comprehensive accounting of offenders.

• Word-Group Analysis:

  • "Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,": The listing format is crucial. It is not merely anecdotal; it's a verifiable, legal-style record. The direct naming emphasizes accountability and the gravity of their public act of repentance. This specific enumeration reinforces the commitment to purify the community root and branch. The repeated phrase "Of the sons of X" (present throughout Ezra 10) structures the comprehensive nature of the purge, ensuring no prominent family was overlooked.

Ezra 10 34 Bonus section

The practice of compiling and listing names in biblical texts like Ezra 10 served several practical and theological functions. Historically, these lists functioned as official records for the returned exiles, marking membership in the restored community, legal lineage, and eligibility for inheritance. Theologically, they underscored individual accountability within a communal sin, affirming that repentance, while corporate, necessitated personal participation and consequence. The naming of specific individuals by clan facilitated the formal, structured process described in Ezra 10:16-17, providing verifiable documentation of those who were to put away their foreign wives. This level of detail confirms the thoroughness with which Ezra and the leaders pursued national cleansing, indicating a serious commitment to addressing systemic sin. This rigorous identification was crucial for establishing the religious and social purity of the returned community, vital for rebuilding on a foundation of fidelity to the Mosaic Covenant.

Ezra 10 34 Commentary

Ezra 10:34 is a sober detail in the meticulous process of restoring Israel's covenant purity after the exile. It does not carry direct theological instruction but rather serves as a vital component of a historical record documenting communal repentance. The mere listing of names, seemingly mundane, carries profound significance. It symbolizes the painful, yet necessary, personal commitment to obedience to God’s law. The problem of intermarriage was not merely a social inconvenience but a fundamental threat to Israel's identity as a holy nation, called to be distinct and separate unto Yahweh. Such mixed marriages historically led to syncretism, idolatry, and a blurring of spiritual lines, as tragically exemplified by King Solomon's downfall.

The inclusion of specific names, many of which themselves bear theological meanings, underscores the pervasive nature of the sin, affecting individuals from families with seemingly pious names. This action, difficult as it was (separating families), demonstrates a radical commitment to God's covenant over personal ties, reflecting the high value placed on maintaining Israel’s spiritual distinctiveness. It set a precedent for future generations on the serious consequences of compromise and the paramount importance of God’s commands over all else. The ultimate goal was to ensure that the post-exilic community would serve as a holy "seed," distinct and devoted to Yahweh, avoiding the pitfalls that led to the exile itself. This act, however, should not be confused with general instructions on marriage to non-believers, but rather as a specific covenantal act related to the foundational identity of the nation of Israel as a priestly kingdom.