Ezra 10:33

From the descendants of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.

Study Bible

From the descendants of Hashum:
The mention of Hashum connects to the list of returnees from the Babylonian exile. Hashum is one of the families that returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:19). This highlights the continuity of the Jewish community and their commitment to reestablishing their identity and religious practices in Jerusalem.

Mattenai:
The name Mattenai means "gift of Yahweh," reflecting the common practice of naming children with theophoric elements, which are names that include a reference to God. This practice underscores the cultural and religious emphasis on divine providence and blessing.

Mattattah:
Mattattah is a variant of the name Mattithiah, which also means "gift of Yahweh." The repetition of similar names within the community may indicate familial or tribal connections, emphasizing the importance of lineage and heritage in post-exilic Jewish society.

Zabad:
Zabad means "endowed" or "given." Names like Zabad are often found in genealogical records, serving as a reminder of God's provision and the importance of each individual's role in the community's restoration efforts.

Eliphelet:
Eliphelet means "God is deliverance." This name reflects the hope and faith of the Jewish people in God's ability to deliver and restore them, a central theme in the post-exilic period as they sought to rebuild their lives and worship in Jerusalem.

Jeremai:
Jeremai is a less common name, possibly a variant of Jeremiah, meaning "Yahweh will exalt." This name may reflect the prophetic hope for the future exaltation and restoration of Israel, as seen in the prophecies of Jeremiah and other prophets.

Manasseh:
Manasseh means "causing to forget," a name originally given by Joseph to his son in Egypt (Genesis 41:51). It signifies the hope of forgetting past troubles and moving forward. The inclusion of this name may symbolize the community's desire to leave behind the sorrows of exile.

Shimei:
Shimei means "heard" or "hearing." This name is associated with several biblical figures, including a member of King David's court. It suggests the importance of being heard by God and the community, emphasizing the role of prayer and communication in the restoration process.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Hashum
A family head whose descendants were among those who returned from the Babylonian exile. The family is noted for having intermarried with foreign women, which was against the Law of Moses.

2. Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei
These are the sons of Hashum mentioned in this verse. They are part of the group that had taken foreign wives and were called to repent and separate from these marriages to restore their covenant relationship with God.

3. The Event of Repentance
This chapter describes a significant event where the Israelites, under Ezra's leadership, confess their sin of intermarriage with foreign women and take steps to rectify it by sending away their foreign wives and children.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites' intermarriage with foreign women was a direct violation of God's law. This teaches us the importance of adhering to God's commands and the consequences of disobedience.

Repentance and Restoration
The actions taken by the Israelites to rectify their sin demonstrate the importance of repentance and the steps necessary to restore a right relationship with God.

Community Accountability
Ezra's leadership and the community's collective action highlight the role of community in holding each other accountable to God's standards.

Guarding Against Compromise
The Israelites' situation warns us of the dangers of compromising our faith and values, especially in relationships that can lead us away from God.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the inclusion of specific names in Ezra 10:33 teach us about personal accountability in our spiritual lives?

2. How does the command against intermarriage in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 relate to the situation in Ezra 10, and what can we learn from it about maintaining spiritual purity today?

3. In what ways can we apply the principle of repentance and restoration in our own lives when we recognize sin?

4. How can the church today function as a community that encourages obedience to God's commands and supports one another in repentance?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a situation that required you to choose between compromising your faith and standing firm. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your future decisions?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
This passage provides the original command against intermarriage with foreign nations, which was intended to prevent the Israelites from being led astray to worship other gods.

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 importance of maintaining purity in worship and community.

1 Corinthians 7:12-16
While the New Testament context is different, this passage discusses marriage to unbelievers, offering guidance on how to handle such situations in a way that honors God.