Ezra 10:22 - Of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.

Generated Verse: Ezra 10:22

What does "Ezra 10:22" mean?


This verse, Ezra 10:22, is part of a larger list in the Book of Ezra documenting the Israelite men who had married foreign women and were compelled to divorce them. Let's break it down:

"Of the sons of Pashhur:" This indicates that the following names are the descendants (sons, grandsons, etc.) of a man named Pashhur. Pashhur was likely a prominent figure in the community whose descendants were involved in this specific sin of marrying foreign women.

"Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah." These are the names of six men who were descendants of Pashhur. They are specifically listed as having violated the covenant by marrying foreign women.

In Summary:

The verse is a simple statement of fact. It names six men from the family of Pashhur who were guilty of marrying foreign women, a practice condemned by Ezra and other leaders in the post-exilic community. This was seen as a threat to the religious purity and cultural identity of the returning Israelites. These men were subsequently required to divorce their wives (and likely send away their children) as part of the religious reform led by Ezra.

Significance:

The significance lies in the context of the book of Ezra. The list serves to:

Document the widespread problem: It shows that marrying foreign women wasn't an isolated incident.
Highlight the seriousness of the sin: Naming these men publicly emphasizes the gravity of their actions.
Emphasize the commitment to reform: By listing these men, the text demonstrates the community's determination to correct its past mistakes and adhere to God's law.
Preserve a historical record: The list is a valuable piece of historical information about the social and religious challenges faced by the Israelites returning from exile.

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