Ezra 10:37
Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu.
Mattaniah
The name "Mattaniah" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of the LORD." This name reflects a common practice in ancient Israel of incorporating the name of God (Yahweh) into personal names, signifying a dedication or acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and blessings. Historically, names like Mattaniah were often given to express gratitude or to invoke divine favor. In the context of Ezra, this name may symbolize the hope for divine restoration and blessing as the Israelites sought to renew their covenant with God.

Mattenai
"Mattenai" is another Hebrew name, closely related to Mattaniah, and it also carries the connotation of a gift or offering. The repetition of similar names in this passage underscores the cultural and religious significance of naming in the post-exilic community. It reflects the continuity of faith and tradition among the Israelites, even after their return from exile. The presence of such names in the genealogical records of Ezra highlights the community's desire to re-establish their identity and heritage in alignment with God's covenant.

Jaasu
The name "Jaasu" is less common and its exact meaning is not as clear as the previous names. However, it is believed to be derived from a root that implies action or doing, possibly meaning "he will do" or "Yahweh acts." This name could symbolize the active role of God in the lives of His people, a reminder of His ongoing involvement and intervention in their history. In the context of Ezra, it serves as a testament to the belief that God was actively working to restore and guide the Israelites as they rebuilt their community and faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mattaniah
A name meaning "Gift of Yahweh." In the context of Ezra 10, Mattaniah is one of the Israelites who had taken foreign wives, which was against the Law of Moses. This highlights the issue of intermarriage with pagan nations, which was a significant concern for maintaining the purity of the Israelite community.

2. Mattenai
Another individual listed among those who had taken foreign wives. His inclusion in this list underscores the widespread nature of the problem and the need for communal repentance and reform.

3. Jaasu
Also listed among those who had taken foreign wives. The repetition of names in this chapter emphasizes the collective responsibility and the need for individual accountability in the community's spiritual renewal.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' disobedience in marrying foreign wives serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to God's commands. Obedience is crucial for maintaining a relationship with God and ensuring the community's spiritual health.

Community Accountability
The collective action taken by the Israelites to address the issue of intermarriage highlights the role of community in holding each other accountable. As believers, we are called to support and correct one another in love.

Repentance and Renewal
The actions taken in Ezra 10 demonstrate the power of repentance and the possibility of renewal. No matter how far we stray, God offers a path back to Him through genuine repentance.

Guarding Against Compromise
The Israelites' situation warns against compromising one's faith through relationships that can lead us away from God. We must be vigilant in maintaining our spiritual integrity.

The Role of Leadership
Ezra's leadership in addressing the issue of intermarriage shows the importance of strong, godly leadership in guiding a community back to faithfulness.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of specific names in Ezra 10:37 teach us about individual accountability within a community of faith?

2. How can we apply the principle of community accountability in our own church or small group settings?

3. In what ways does the issue of intermarriage in Ezra 10 relate to the New Testament teachings on marriage and spiritual compatibility?

4. How can we guard against spiritual compromise in our personal relationships today?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that our leaders are equipped to guide us in faithfulness to God's commands?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 7:3-4
This passage warns the Israelites against intermarrying with the surrounding nations to prevent them from turning away from God. The situation in Ezra 10 is a direct violation of this command, showing the importance of obedience to God's laws.

Nehemiah 13:23-27
Nehemiah also deals with the issue of intermarriage, reinforcing the theme of maintaining the distinctiveness of God's people and the consequences of disobedience.

1 Corinthians 7:39
In the New Testament, Paul advises believers to marry "only in the Lord," which echoes the Old Testament concern for spiritual compatibility in marriage.
The ReformationsJ.A. Macdonald Ezra 10:6-44
Sin and RepentanceW. Clarkson Ezra 10:9-44
Cheap ExpiationsJ. Parker, D. DEzra 10:18-44
The List of OffendersWilliam Jones.Ezra 10:18-44
People
Abdi, Adaiah, Adna, Amariah, Amram, Asahel, Athlai, Azareel, Aziza, Bani, Bebai, Bedeiah, Benaiah, Benjamin, Bezaleel, Binnui, Chelal, Chelluh, Elam, Elasah, Eleazar, Eliah, Eliashib, Eliezer, Elijah, Elioenai, Eliphelet, Ezra, Gedaliah, Hanani, Hananiah, Harim, Hashum, Iddo, Immer, Ishijah, Ishmael, Israelites, Jaasau, Jadau, Jahaziah, Jarib, Jashub, Jehiel, Jehohanan, Jeiel, Jeremai, Jeremoth, Jeshua, Jeziah, Joel, Johanan, Jonathan, Joseph, Jozabad, Jozadak, Kelaiah, Kelita, Levites, Maadai, Maaseiah, Machnadebai, Malchiah, Malchijah, Malluch, Manasseh, Mattaniah, Mattathah, Mattenai, Mattithiah, Meremoth, Meshullam, Miamin, Mijamin, Nathan, Nethaneel, Pahathmoab, Parosh, Pashur, Pethahiah, Ramiah, Shabbethai, Shallum, Sharai, Shashai, Sheal, Shecaniah, Shelemiah, Shemaiah, Shemariah, Shimei, Shimeon, Simeon, Telem, Tikvah, Uel, Uri, Uzziah, Vaniah, Zabad, Zabbai, Zattu, Zebadiah, Zebina, Zechariah
Places
Jerusalem, Nebo
Topics
Jaasai, Jaasau, Jaasu, Ja'asu, Mattaniah, Mattani'ah, Mattenai, Matte'nai
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Ezra 10:10-44

     5711   marriage, restrictions

Library
Ezra, the Praying Reformer
Before the Great War there were many signs of a new interest in PRAYER and new hope from its exercise. How these signs have multiplied is known to every one. This one thing at least that is good the War has done for us already. Let us not miss our opportunity. Prayer is not an easy exercise. It requires encouragement, exposition, and training. There never was a time when men and women were more sincerely anxious to be told how to pray. Prayer is the mightiest instrument in our armory, and if we are
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men

Some Other Memorable Places of the City.
I. There was a street leading from the Gate of Waters to the mount of the Temple, which seems to be called "the street of the Temple," Ezra 10:9. This way they went from the Temple to mount Olivet. II. The ascent to the mount of the Temple was not so difficult but cattle and oxen might be driven thither; nor so easy, but that it required some pains of those that went up. "A child was free from presenting himself in the Temple at the three feasts, until" (according to the school of Hillel) "he was
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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