Ezra 10:33

From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.

Study Bible

From the sons of Hashum
This phrase identifies the lineage of the individuals mentioned in the verse. The "sons of Hashum" refers to a family or clan within the Israelite community. Hashum is listed among those who returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:19). This highlights the continuity of the Israelite community and their commitment to restoring their covenant relationship with God. The mention of specific families underscores the importance of genealogical records in maintaining the identity and heritage of the people of Israel.

Mattenai
The name Mattenai is derived from the Hebrew root "mattan," meaning "gift." This name may reflect the parents' gratitude to God for the gift of a child. In the context of this verse, Mattenai is one of the individuals who had taken foreign wives, which was against the Mosaic Law. The inclusion of his name in this list signifies his participation in the communal act of repentance and the restoration of purity within the community.

Mattattah
Similar to Mattenai, the name Mattattah also has its roots in the Hebrew word for "gift." The repetition of names with similar meanings may indicate a cultural or familial tradition of naming children with names that express gratitude or divine favor. This reflects the Israelites' understanding of children as blessings from God and their desire to honor Him through their names.

Zabad
The name Zabad comes from the Hebrew root "zabad," meaning "to endow" or "to bestow." This name suggests a sense of being endowed with blessings or gifts, possibly indicating the parents' hope for their child's future. In the context of Ezra 10, Zabad's inclusion in the list of those who had taken foreign wives highlights the widespread nature of the issue and the collective responsibility to address it.

Eliphelet
Eliphelet is a name that means "God is deliverance" or "God is my deliverance." This name reflects a deep trust in God's ability to save and deliver His people. In the context of the post-exilic community, such a name would serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness in bringing the Israelites back to their land and the need to remain faithful to His commandments.

Jeremai
The name Jeremai is less common and its exact meaning is uncertain, but it may be related to the Hebrew root "ramah," meaning "to be high" or "to be exalted." This could imply a sense of elevation or honor. The inclusion of Jeremai in this list serves as a reminder that even those with esteemed names or positions are not exempt from the call to repentance and obedience to God's law.

Manasseh
The name Manasseh means "causing to forget" and is famously associated with Joseph's son in Genesis, who was named so because "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household" (Genesis 41:51). In this context, the name may symbolize the hope of moving past the transgressions of intermarriage and returning to a state of covenant faithfulness.

Shimei
Shimei is a name that means "heard" or "hearing," derived from the Hebrew root "shama," which means "to hear" or "to listen." This name emphasizes the importance of listening to God's commands and the prophetic call to repentance. In the context of Ezra 10, Shimei's inclusion in the list underscores the need for the community to heed the call to separate from foreign influences and renew their commitment to God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hashum
A family head whose descendants were among those who returned from the Babylonian exile. The family is noted for having intermarried with foreign women, which was against the Law of Moses.

2. Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei
These are the sons of Hashum mentioned in this verse. They are part of the group that had taken foreign wives and were called to repent and separate from these marriages to restore their covenant relationship with God.

3. The Event of Repentance
This chapter describes a significant event where the Israelites, under Ezra's leadership, confess their sin of intermarriage with foreign women and take steps to rectify it by sending away their foreign wives and children.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites' intermarriage with foreign women was a direct violation of God's law. This teaches us the importance of adhering to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience.

Repentance and Restoration
The actions taken by the Israelites to rectify their sin demonstrate the importance of repentance and the steps necessary to restore a right relationship with God.

Community Accountability
Ezra's leadership and the community's collective action highlight the role of community in holding each other accountable to God's standards.

Guarding Against Compromise
The Israelites' situation warns us of the dangers of compromising our faith and values, especially in relationships that can lead us away from God.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the inclusion of specific names in Ezra 10:33 teach us about personal accountability in our spiritual lives?

2. How does the command against intermarriage in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 relate to the situation in Ezra 10, and what can we learn from it about maintaining spiritual purity today?

3. In what ways can we apply the principle of repentance and restoration in our own lives when we recognize sin?

4. How can the church today function as a community that encourages obedience to God's commands and supports one another in repentance?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation that required you to choose between compromising your faith and standing firm. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your future decisions?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
This passage provides the original command against intermarriage with foreign nations, which was intended to prevent the Israelites from being led astray to worship other gods.

Nehemiah 13:23-27
Nehemiah also deals with the issue of intermarriage, showing that this was a recurring problem for the Israelites and emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity in worship and community.

1 Corinthians 7:12-16
While the New Testament context is different, this passage discusses marriage to unbelievers, offering guidance on how to handle such situations in a way that honors God.