Ezra 10:39
Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah,
From the descendants of Bani
This phrase introduces us to a specific lineage within the Israelite community. The name "Bani" is derived from the Hebrew root "בָּנָה" (banah), meaning "to build" or "to construct." This suggests a heritage of establishing or constructing, possibly reflecting the role of this family in rebuilding the community or the temple. Historically, the descendants of Bani were among those who returned from the Babylonian exile, emphasizing their commitment to restoring Israel's spiritual and communal life.

Maadai
The name Maadai is of Hebrew origin, possibly meaning "ornament" or "adorned." This could symbolize the beauty and value of returning to God's covenant and the spiritual adornment of the community through repentance and renewal. In the context of Ezra, Maadai represents an individual who is part of the collective effort to purify the community by addressing intermarriage issues, thus adorning the community with righteousness.

Amram
Amram is a name that means "exalted people" or "the people are exalted." This name carries a significant historical weight, as Amram is also the name of Moses' father, linking this individual to a legacy of leadership and deliverance. In the context of Ezra, the mention of Amram may inspire the community to aspire to the exalted status of their forefathers by adhering to God's laws and separating themselves from foreign influences.

Uel
The name Uel is less common, and its meaning is not entirely clear, but it may be related to the Hebrew "אוּר" (ur), meaning "light" or "fire," combined with "אֵל" (El), meaning "God." This could be interpreted as "light of God" or "God is light," symbolizing divine guidance and illumination. Uel's inclusion in this list highlights the role of divine guidance in the community's efforts to reform and align themselves with God's will.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shelemiah
A name meaning "God has repaid" or "God is peace." In the context of Ezra 10, Shelemiah is one of the Israelites who had taken foreign wives, which was against the covenantal laws of Israel.

2. Nathan
Another individual listed among those who had taken foreign wives. The name Nathan means "He gave" or "Gift," and it is a common name in the Old Testament, often associated with prophets or leaders.

3. Adaiah
This name means "Yahweh has adorned" or "Yahweh has witnessed." Adaiah is also listed among those who had taken foreign wives, highlighting the widespread issue of intermarriage with non-Israelites during this period.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' disobedience in marrying foreign wives highlights the importance of adhering to God's commands. Obedience is a demonstration of our love and commitment to God.

The Consequences of Compromise
Compromising on God's standards can lead to spiritual decline. The Israelites' intermarriage with foreign women risked leading them away from their covenant relationship with God.

Repentance and Restoration
Ezra 10 is a powerful example of the need for repentance and the steps toward restoration. The Israelites' willingness to address their sin and make amends is a model for us today.

Community Accountability
The communal nature of the Israelites' repentance shows the importance of accountability within the faith community. We are called to support and encourage one another in living according to God's standards.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of specific names like Shelemiah, Nathan, and Adaiah in Ezra 10:39 teach us about personal responsibility in communal sin?

2. How does the issue of intermarriage in Ezra 10 relate to the broader biblical theme of holiness and separation from the world?

3. In what ways can we apply the principles of repentance and restoration found in Ezra 10 to our own lives today?

4. How can the church today ensure that it maintains spiritual integrity while engaging with the surrounding culture?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision that required obedience to God's commands. What were the challenges, and how did you overcome them? How can this experience inform your future decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 7:3-4
This passage provides the original command against intermarriage with foreign nations, which is the root issue addressed in Ezra 10. It warns that such marriages could lead the Israelites away from God.

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 need for purity and obedience to God's laws.

1 Corinthians 7:39
This New Testament passage speaks to the importance of marrying "in the Lord," which echoes the Old Testament concern for maintaining spiritual integrity 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
Adaiah, Adai'ah, Nathan, Shelemiah, Shelemi'ah
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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