Ezra 10:18 - Among the sons of the priests there were found who had married foreign women: of the sons of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and his brothers, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.

Generated Verse: Ezra 10:18

What does "Ezra 10:18" mean?


Ezra 10:18 is part of a list detailing the priests who had violated God's law by marrying foreign women. Let's break down the verse:

"Among the sons of the priests there were found who had married foreign women:" This is the overarching statement. It establishes the context: some priests, who should have been upholding the law, had instead married women from other nations. This was considered a sin because it could lead to the introduction of foreign gods and customs into Israel, compromising the purity of their worship.

"of the sons of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and his brothers, Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah." This identifies a specific group involved: the descendants of Jeshua (also called Joshua), son of Jozadak, who was the high priest after the return from exile in Babylon. The list includes Jeshua's brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. These men, or their sons, are specified as having married foreign women.

In essence, the verse is a specific indictment against the priestly family of Jeshua for failing to adhere to the laws prohibiting intermarriage with foreigners. It highlights the corruption that had crept into the priesthood and underscores the need for Ezra's reforms.

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