Ezra 10:41
Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
Azarel
The name "Azarel" is derived from the Hebrew roots "azar," meaning "to help," and "El," meaning "God." Thus, Azarel can be interpreted as "God has helped" or "God is my helper." This name reflects a deep reliance on divine assistance, a theme prevalent throughout the book of Ezra, where the Israelites seek God's help in restoring their community and faith after the Babylonian exile.

Shelemiah
"Shelemiah" combines "shalom," meaning "peace," and "Yah," a shortened form of "Yahweh," the name of God. Therefore, Shelemiah can be understood as "Yahweh is peace" or "God brings peace." This name underscores the peace and restoration that God offers to His people, especially significant in the context of Ezra, where the Israelites are striving to reestablish their covenant relationship with God.

Shemariah
The name "Shemariah" is composed of "shamar," meaning "to guard" or "to keep," and "Yah," referring to God. It translates to "Yahweh has guarded" or "God keeps watch." This reflects the protective nature of God over His people, a reassurance for the Israelites as they navigate the challenges of rebuilding their community and faith.

Shallum
"Shallum" is derived from "shalom," meaning "peace" or "completeness." The name signifies a state of wholeness and harmony, which is a central goal for the Israelites in the book of Ezra. As they return from exile, the pursuit of peace and completeness in their relationship with God and among themselves is paramount.

Amariah
"Amariah" combines "amar," meaning "to say" or "to speak," and "Yah," referring to God. It translates to "Yahweh has said" or "God speaks." This name highlights the importance of God's word and promises, which are foundational for the Israelites as they seek guidance and direction in reestablishing their community.

Joseph
The name "Joseph" comes from the Hebrew "Yosef," meaning "He will add" or "God increases." This name is a reminder of God's provision and blessing, echoing the account of Joseph in Genesis, who was used by God to preserve and increase the people of Israel. In the context of Ezra, it signifies hope for growth and prosperity as the Israelites rebuild their lives and faith.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Azarel
A member of the Israelite community who was involved in the issue of intermarriage with foreign women, which was against the Mosaic Law.

2. Shelemiah
Another individual listed among those who had taken foreign wives, highlighting the widespread nature of the problem.

3. Shemariah
Also part of the group needing to repent and separate from foreign influences to restore covenant faithfulness.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' disobedience in marrying foreign women was a direct violation of God's commands. This teaches us the importance of adhering to God's Word in all aspects of life.

Repentance and Restoration
The actions taken in Ezra 10 demonstrate the necessity of repentance to restore one's relationship with God. True repentance involves both confession and action.

Guarding Against Compromise
The intermarriages represented a compromise of faith. Believers today must be vigilant against influences that can lead them away from their commitment to God.

Community Accountability
The communal response to the sin of intermarriage shows the role of community in holding each other accountable to God's standards.

The Role of Leadership
Ezra's leadership was crucial in guiding the people back to faithfulness. Spiritual leaders today have a responsibility to lead with integrity and courage.
Bible Study Questions
1. What were the consequences of the Israelites' disobedience in marrying foreign women, and how does this apply to our lives today?

2. How does the concept of repentance in Ezra 10 compare to New Testament teachings on repentance?

3. In what ways can we guard against spiritual compromise in our personal and communal lives?

4. How can we as a church community support each other in maintaining faithfulness to God's commands?

5. What qualities of Ezra's leadership can we emulate in our own roles within the church and community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 9
Provides context for Ezra 10, where Ezra learns of the intermarriages and prays for the people's repentance.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
The law against intermarriage with foreign nations, which was intended to prevent the Israelites from turning to other gods.

Nehemiah 13:23-27
Nehemiah also deals with the issue of intermarriage, emphasizing the importance of maintaining purity in worship and community.

1 Corinthians 7:39
Discusses the importance of marrying "in the Lord," which echoes the principle of maintaining spiritual unity 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
Azareel, Azarel, Az'arel, Shelemiah, Shelemi'ah, Shemariah, Shemari'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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