Ezra 10 37

Ezra 10:37 kjv

Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,

Ezra 10:37 nkjv

Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasai,

Ezra 10:37 niv

Mattaniah, Mattenai and Jaasu.

Ezra 10:37 esv

Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu.

Ezra 10:37 nlt

Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 37 Meaning

Ezra 10:37 lists six specific individuals: Muttaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu, Bani, Binnui, and Shimei. These men were among those from the people of Israel who had taken foreign wives, thereby transgressing the covenantal command of the Lord. Their inclusion in this record signifies their identification as individuals who confessed their sin and were prepared to separate from their foreign wives in response to Ezra's reform.

Ezra 10 37 Context

Ezra chapter 10 records the actions taken by the returned exiles to rectify their widespread sin of intermarriage with foreign women, a practice explicitly forbidden by the Mosaic Law. After Ezra's profound prayer of confession in chapter 9, the people, led by Shecaniah, acknowledged their transgression and resolved to make a covenant to put away their foreign wives and their children born from these unions. Ezra then had them swear an oath to this effect. Verses 18-43 present a comprehensive list of those who had committed this sin, categorized by their ancestral houses (priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and then the general people of Israel). Each listed individual represented a confession and commitment to purity the community in line with God's commands. Verse 37 specifically continues this detailed listing, identifying six more men from "the people of Israel" (not priests, Levites, etc., but common Israelites) who were part of this significant cleansing act. The historical context is crucial: this post-exilic community was rebuilding not just the temple and walls, but their identity as God's covenant people, and their spiritual integrity was paramount to avoid the same sins that led to the earlier exile. This decisive action underscores their commitment to obey God's law above social and familial ties, aimed at preserving the spiritual purity of the nascent nation and their future covenant relationship with God.

Ezra 10 37 Word analysis

• Muttaniah (מַתְּנָיָה - Mattnayâ): A Hebrew name likely meaning "gift of Yahweh" or "His gift." His inclusion marks him as one who, despite past disobedience, submitted to the covenant demands.

• Mattenai (מַתְּנַי - Mattĕnay): Similar to Muttaniah, also possibly meaning "gift." The appearance of names with similar roots suggests common naming conventions of the time.

• Jaasu (יַעַשׂוּ - Yaʿăsū): This name is somewhat rare and debated. It could be related to "they will do" or "he has done," perhaps reflecting action or deed. His listing here is for accountability.

• Bani (בָּנִי - Bānī): A common Hebrew name meaning "my son" or "my builder." Given its prevalence, there were multiple individuals named Bani during this period, signifying different family lines.

• Binnui (בִּנּוּי - Binnûy): Meaning "a building" or "to build." This name is also common in post-exilic lists, often associated with a different Bani, suggesting a family or clan connection.

• Shimei (שִׁמְעִי - Shimʿī): A very common biblical name, meaning "my fame" or "my renown," or "one who hears/listens." Its widespread use across different tribes and periods indicates it refers to numerous distinct individuals.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Muttaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu, Bani, Binnui, Shimei,": This continuous listing of proper names across verses 18-43 functions as an official record. It served as public accountability, documenting precisely who was involved in the covenant violation and who participated in the difficult act of repentance and separation. The mere existence of such a detailed roster emphasizes the seriousness of the sin of intermarriage and the thoroughness of Ezra’s reform. It underscores the concept of corporate responsibility within the community of God's people, where individual actions impact the whole, and conversely, corporate repentance demands individual commitment.

Ezra 10 37 Bonus section

The seemingly dry list of names in Ezra 10 is actually a testament to the comprehensive and unwavering commitment of Ezra and the leaders to implement the reform. Such meticulous record-keeping was vital in ancient near-eastern administrative practices and also served as a lasting testimony to future generations about the seriousness of the covenant with God. While we only see names, behind each one lay a family situation, potentially including children (as mentioned in Ezr 10:44). This highlights the difficult human cost of correcting past disobedience, demonstrating that returning to God's path often involves painful choices, yet such faithfulness is ultimately essential for communal holiness and divine blessing.

Ezra 10 37 Commentary

Ezra 10:37 is a simple list of names, yet it carries profound weight within the larger narrative of post-exilic Israel. It reflects a moment of radical corporate and individual repentance initiated by Ezra’s conviction about the sanctity of God’s covenant. The names represent ordinary men, distinct from the priestly or Levitical families previously listed, underscoring that the sin of intermarriage had permeated all levels of society. Their inclusion signifies their personal confession and agreement to the difficult, culturally challenging, but biblically mandated action of divorcing their foreign wives. This act was not an expression of ethnic hatred, but a spiritual surgery necessary to remove a cancer that historically led Israel into idolatry and assimilation. It highlighted that true obedience to God's commands sometimes requires painful decisions that cut against prevailing social norms for the sake of spiritual purity and the preservation of covenant identity.