Ezra 10:35
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,
Benaiah
Benaiah is a name that appears multiple times in the Old Testament, often associated with valor and leadership. The most notable Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior in King David's army and later the commander of Solomon's army (1 Kings 2:35). The name means "Yahweh has built" or "Yahweh has made," reflecting a common practice of the Israelites to incorporate the name of God into personal names, signifying a relationship or blessing from God. In the context of Ezra 10, Benaiah is listed among those who had taken foreign wives, which was against the Mosaic Law (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This highlights the theme of repentance and the need for Israel to remain distinct from surrounding nations to fulfill their covenant with God.

Bedeiah
Bedeiah is a less common name in the Bible, and its meaning is not entirely clear, though it may mean "servant of Yahweh." The inclusion of Bedeiah in this list underscores the widespread nature of the issue of intermarriage with foreign women among the Israelites returning from exile. This was a significant concern for Ezra, as it threatened the religious purity and cultural identity of the Jewish people. The historical context here is the post-exilic period, where the Jewish community was re-establishing itself in Jerusalem and needed to adhere strictly to the Law to avoid the sins that led to their exile.

Cheluhi
Cheluhi is another name that appears only in this list, and like Bedeiah, it is not widely known outside of this context. The presence of such names in Ezra 10 indicates the personal nature of the reforms Ezra was implementing. Each name represents a family and a story of repentance and return to covenant faithfulness. The cultural context involves the Jewish community's struggle to maintain their distinct identity amidst the influences of surrounding nations. This was crucial for the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the coming of the Messiah, who would be born from a people set apart for God's purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Benaiah
A name meaning "Yahweh has built" or "Yahweh has made." In the context of Ezra 10, Benaiah is one of the Israelites who had taken foreign wives, which was against the Law of Moses.

2. Bedeiah
This name is less common, and its meaning is not entirely clear, but it is another individual listed among those who had intermarried with foreign women.

3. Cheluhi
Another individual mentioned in the list of those who had taken foreign wives. The name's meaning is not well-documented, but it signifies a person involved in the same issue of intermarriage.

4. The Event of Repentance
The broader context of Ezra 10 involves the Israelites' repentance and the difficult decision to put away foreign wives to restore their covenant relationship with God.

5. Jerusalem
The setting for these events, where Ezra led the people in a spiritual renewal and return to the Law.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' decision to put away foreign wives highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when it is difficult.

Repentance and Restoration
True repentance involves not just feeling sorry but taking concrete steps to correct one's path and restore one's relationship with God.

Community Accountability
The communal nature of the Israelites' repentance shows the importance of accountability within the faith community.

The Challenge of Cultural Influence
The issue of intermarriage reflects the broader challenge of maintaining faithfulness to God amidst surrounding cultural influences.

God's Faithfulness to His Covenant
Despite the people's unfaithfulness, God's call to repentance and restoration demonstrates His enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of specific names in Ezra 10:35 teach us about personal responsibility in communal sin?

2. How can we apply the principle of obedience to God's commands in our modern context, especially when it conflicts with cultural norms?

3. In what ways can the church today practice community accountability to encourage spiritual growth and repentance?

4. How does the issue of intermarriage in Ezra 10 relate to the broader biblical theme of being set apart as God's people?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision to obey God. What did you learn from that experience, and how did it impact your faith journey?
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.

Nehemiah 13:23-27
Nehemiah also deals with the issue of intermarriage, showing the ongoing struggle of the Israelites to maintain their distinctiveness as God's people.

1 Corinthians 7:12-14
While addressing a different context, Paul discusses marriage to unbelievers, providing a New Testament perspective on mixed marriages.
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
Bedeiah, Bedei'ah, Bediah, Benaiah, Benai'ah, Chelluh, Cheluhi, Chel'uhi, Cheluhu, Keluhi
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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