Ezra 10 43

Ezra 10:43 kjv

Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.

Ezra 10:43 nkjv

of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.

Ezra 10:43 niv

From the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel and Benaiah.

Ezra 10:43 esv

Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.

Ezra 10:43 nlt

From the family of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.

Ezra 10 verses

Ezra 10 43 Meaning

Ezra 10:43 presents a list of names: Nebai, Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. This verse is part of a larger catalog (Ezra 10:18-44) that meticulously documents the Jewish men in the post-exilic community who had taken foreign wives, contrary to God's law. Their inclusion in this list signifies their specific identification among those who had committed this sin and, more importantly, their subsequent commitment to separating from these wives and their children, as decreed by the assembly and enacted by Ezra and the leaders. It represents a concrete record of communal repentance and purification in response to the covenant breach.

Ezra 10 43 Context

Ezra chapter 10 concludes a critical period of spiritual revival and purification among the returned exiles in Judah. Chapters 9 and 10 address the pervasive problem of intermarriage with foreign peoples, which constituted a direct violation of God's covenant commands (Deut 7:3-4). The community leadership, particularly Ezra, discovered that even priests and Levites were guilty of this sin, threatening the spiritual purity and distinct identity of Israel.

Upon hearing of this grave transgression, Ezra responded with profound lament and repentance on behalf of the nation (Ezra 9:3-15). This act moved the people to sincere confession (Ezra 10:1), culminating in Shecaniah's proposal to make a covenant to "put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God" (Ezra 10:3).

Chapter 10 then details the implementation of this difficult reform. Ezra took an oath from the leaders to uphold this decision. A proclamation was issued, summoning all exiles to Jerusalem, threatening exclusion and forfeiture of property for non-compliance. An investigative commission was appointed to examine each case of intermarriage. Ezra 10:18-44 meticulously lists the individuals who were found to be in violation and consequently agreed to carry out the separation. Verse 43 is simply one part of this extensive roll call, specifically naming eight men: Nebai, Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah, identifying them as participants in this covenant breach who submitted to the painful but necessary act of repentance and purification. This action, while severe by modern standards, was seen as essential for preserving Israel's covenant fidelity and avoiding the idolatry and spiritual compromise that had led to their exile in the first place.

Ezra 10 43 Word analysis

• Nebai (נְבוֹ / Nᵉbô):
  • Proper name.
  • Identifies an individual.
  • Signifies this man was part of the group identified as having married foreign wives and was undergoing the process of reform.
• Jeiel (יְעִיאֵל / Yᵉ‘î’ēl):
  • Proper name.
  • Identifies an individual.
  • Its inclusion emphasizes the specificity of the accountability within the community.
• Mattithiah (מַתִּתְיָה / Mattithyāh):
  • Proper name.
  • Meaning: "Gift of Yahweh."
  • Identifies an individual.
  • Despite a name praising God, this individual was involved in sin, underscoring that spiritual devotion is not automatic and requires continuous adherence to God's law.
• Zabad (זָבָד / Zābāḏ):
  • Proper name.
  • Meaning: "He has given" (likely shortened from "Yahweh has given").
  • Identifies an individual.
  • His presence in the list points to the widespread nature of the intermarriage problem affecting many families.
• Zebina (זְבִינָא / Zᵉbîynā’):
  • Proper name.
  • Meaning: Perhaps related to "buying" or "sale."
  • Identifies an individual.
  • Another documented participant in the challenging and extensive reform.
• Jaddai (יַדַּי / Yaḏday):
  • Proper name.
  • Identifies an individual.
  • Further solidifies the comprehensive nature of the official inquiry and record-keeping.
• Joel (יוֹאֵל / Yô’ēl):
  • Proper name.
  • Meaning: "Yahweh is God."
  • Identifies an individual.
  • His name echoes a profound theological truth, contrasting with his former conduct (intermarriage) but aligning with his subsequent repentance and commitment to God's way.
• Benaiah (בְּנָיָה / Bᵉnāyāh):
  • Proper name.
  • Meaning: "Yahweh has built."
  • Identifies an individual.
  • His involvement further signifies that the problem touched many within the community, requiring universal correction.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Nebai, Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, Benaiah":
  • Proper Nouns in Sequence: This is not a descriptive phrase but a list of proper names, each representing a specific individual. The significance lies not in the words' individual meanings (beyond identification) but in their cumulative presence.
  • Roster of Accountability: The specific enumeration of these names emphasizes the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the register kept by Ezra and the leaders. It highlights the serious intent behind addressing the widespread problem of intermarriage. Each name stands as a testament to an individual's transgression but, more importantly, to their participation in the act of repentance and submission to the communal decision for purification.
  • Verification of Compliance: Such a detailed list provided historical and contemporary verification that the divine command for separation was being observed at a deeply personal and familial level within the returned community. It also served as a witness to God's people acting to re-establish covenant purity.

Ezra 10 43 Bonus section

The presence of individual names in biblical lists, such as this one in Ezra 10:43, often serves multiple purposes beyond mere record-keeping. Firstly, it lends authenticity and historical grounding to the narrative, confirming that these were real people and events, not generalized accounts. Secondly, it subtly reminds us that communal sin and repentance are comprised of individual actions and choices. Even within a widespread problem, each person had to personally confront their actions and make a choice regarding the prescribed rectification.

Furthermore, in ancient Near Eastern contexts, names often carried significant weight, signifying a person's identity, family lineage, and sometimes even hope or prophecy related to them. While the specific meanings of these names are secondary to their role as identifiers in this list, their inclusion solidifies the meticulous process of purification the nation underwent. The names here symbolize a painful collective surgery performed on the social fabric of Israel, a stark demonstration that purity of covenant was prioritized above familial comfort to ensure the very survival and mission of God's chosen people. It highlights the boundaries necessary for a consecrated nation to retain its distinction and fulfill its purpose to bear witness to the one true God in a polytheistic world.

Ezra 10 43 Commentary

Ezra 10:43 is a segment of a historical ledger, detailing eight more individuals among the many who had married foreign wives during the critical post-exilic period. Its succinct nature belies the immense social and emotional upheaval it represents. This list underscores the gravity with which the returned exiles, under Ezra's leadership, viewed the covenant violation of intermarriage. For a community striving to rebuild its identity around exclusive loyalty to Yahweh after the devastating consequences of past unfaithfulness, strict adherence to God's law regarding separation from surrounding peoples was paramount.

The purpose of listing these names was not primarily to shame (though it documents guilt) but to attest to the widespread nature of the problem and the comprehensive, albeit painful, process of purification that took place. These men, along with many others, willingly, or under intense pressure, complied with the demanding directive to put away their foreign wives and children. This act was seen not as a rejection of family but as a necessary and agonizing step to restore the nation's holiness and secure its future as a distinct people called by God. It demonstrates a desperate and decisive move to avoid repeating the national apostasy that had led to the Babylonian exile. The names serve as tangible evidence of repentance, accountability, and the community's determination to uphold their unique covenant relationship with God.