Bedeiah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ezra. His name appears in the context of the post-exilic period, a time when the Israelites were returning from Babylonian captivity and were in the process of rebuilding their community and religious practices in Jerusalem.

Biblical Reference:

Bedeiah is listed among those who had taken foreign wives, an issue that was addressed by Ezra as part of a religious reform to ensure the purity of the Israelite community. The relevant passage is found in Ezra 10:35:

"Moreover, from the descendants of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,"

This verse is part of a larger section in Ezra 10, where a list of men who had married foreign women is provided. The context of this passage is critical to understanding the religious and social dynamics of the time. The Israelites, having returned from exile, were striving to re-establish their identity and covenant relationship with God. Marriages to foreign women were seen as a threat to this identity, as they could lead to the adoption of foreign customs and idolatry.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The return from Babylonian exile marked a significant period in Jewish history. Under the leadership of figures like Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, the Jewish community was focused on restoring the temple, re-establishing the Law of Moses, and purifying the community from influences that could lead them away from their covenant with Yahweh.

Ezra, a scribe and priest, played a crucial role in this reform. His efforts to address intermarriage were part of a broader initiative to ensure that the Israelites adhered strictly to the Law. The marriages to foreign women were seen as a violation of the commandments given to the Israelites, which prohibited intermarriage with the surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).

Theological Significance:

The mention of Bedeiah in this context highlights the importance of covenant faithfulness in the post-exilic community. The reforms led by Ezra were not merely about social or ethnic purity but were deeply rooted in theological concerns. The Israelites believed that their relationship with God was contingent upon their obedience to His commandments, and intermarriage with foreign women was perceived as a direct threat to this relationship.

The narrative in Ezra underscores the theme of repentance and renewal. The community's willingness to address the issue of foreign marriages, as seen in the public confession and the subsequent actions taken by those involved, reflects a collective desire to return to the ways of the Lord and to seek His favor.

Name Meaning and Etymology:

The name Bedeiah is of Hebrew origin, and like many biblical names, it carries a meaning that reflects a characteristic or a divine attribute. While the exact meaning of Bedeiah is not explicitly detailed in the biblical text, it is often interpreted as "servant of Yahweh" or "Yahweh is my help," emphasizing a relationship with God.

Conclusion:

Bedeiah's inclusion in the list of those who had taken foreign wives serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the post-exilic community in maintaining their distinct identity and faithfulness to God. His account, though brief, is part of the larger narrative of Israel's ongoing struggle to live in accordance with the covenant and to resist the influences that could lead them away from their God-given mission.Bedeiah

one of the sons of Bani, in the time of Ezra, who had taken a foreign wife. (Ezra 10:35) (B.C. 458.)

BEDEIAH

be-de'-ya (bedheydh, "servant of Yah"): A son of Bani who had married a "strange wife" (Ezra 10:35).

912. Bedeyah -- "servant of Yah," an Israelite
... Bedeyah. 913 . "servant of Yah," an Israelite. Transliteration: Bedeyah Phonetic
Spelling: (bay-de-yaw') Short Definition: Bedeiah. ... NASB Word Usage Bedeiah (1) ...
/hebrew/912.htm - 6kBedeiah (1 Occurrence)
...BEDEIAH. be-de'-ya (bedheydh, "servant of Yah"): A son of Bani who had married a
"strange wife" (Ezra 10:35). Multi-Version Concordance Bedeiah (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/bedeiah.htm - 6k

Bedei'ah (1 Occurrence)
Bedei'ah. Bedeiah, Bedei'ah. Bediah . Multi-Version Concordance Bedei'ah
(1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhu; (See RSV). ...
/b/bedei'ah.htm - 6k

Keluhi (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Keluhi (1 Occurrence). Ezra
10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, (See NIV). ...
/k/keluhi.htm - 6k

Pedias
... Codex Alexandrinus Paideias; the King James Version by mistake Pelias): One of those
who had taken "strange wives" (1 Esdras 9:34) equals "Bedeiah" of Ezra 10 ...
/p/pedias.htm - 6k

Bedecked (2 Occurrences)

/b/bedecked.htm - 7k

Chelluh (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHELLUH. kel'-u. See CHELUHI. Multi-Version
Concordance Chelluh (1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh, (KJV WBS) ...
/c/chelluh.htm - 6k

Chel'uhi (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Chel'uhi (1 Occurrence). Ezra 10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah,
Cheluhu; (See RSV). Cheluhi, Chel'uhi. Cheluhu . Reference Bible.
/c/chel'uhi.htm - 6k

Cheluhi (1 Occurrence)
... 10:35 = 1 Esdras 9:34). Multi-Version Concordance Cheluhi (1 Occurrence).
Ezra 10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, (WEB ASV BBE NAS). ...
/c/cheluhi.htm - 6k

Benai'ah (43 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezra 10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhu; (See RSV). Ezra 10:43 Of the sons
of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, and Joel, Benaiah. ...
/b/benai'ah.htm - 18k

Benaiah (44 Occurrences)
... Manasseh. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Ezra 10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah,
Cheluhi, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Ezra ...
/b/benaiah.htm - 26k

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