Etymology and Meaning:
The name "Vaniah" is of Hebrew origin, and it is generally understood to mean "Yahweh is gracious" or "Jehovah is gracious." This reflects a common theme in Hebrew names, where the character and attributes of God are often highlighted.

Biblical References:
Vaniah is mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ezra. The reference to Vaniah is found in Ezra 10:36, where he is listed among those who had taken foreign wives and were called to put them away in accordance with the covenant renewal led by Ezra. The Berean Standard Bible states: "And among the descendants of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah."

Historical and Cultural Context:
The context of Vaniah's mention is during the post-exilic period when the Israelites were returning from Babylonian captivity. Ezra, a scribe and priest, was instrumental in leading a religious reform to restore the covenantal faithfulness of the people. This included addressing the issue of intermarriage with foreign women, which was seen as a threat to the religious and cultural identity of the Israelites. The call to put away foreign wives was a difficult but necessary step to ensure the purity of the community's faith and adherence to the Law of Moses.

Theological Significance:
Vaniah's inclusion in the list of those who had taken foreign wives highlights the challenges faced by the returning exiles in maintaining their distinct identity as God's chosen people. The issue of intermarriage was not merely a social concern but a theological one, as it often led to the introduction of idolatry and pagan practices. The reform led by Ezra was a call to holiness and a return to the covenantal relationship with Yahweh.

Lessons and Applications:
The account of Vaniah and others in Ezra 10 serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the need for repentance and reform when the community strays from its commitments. It underscores the significance of leadership in guiding God's people back to righteousness and the sometimes difficult decisions that must be made to preserve the integrity of the faith community.

Related Biblical Themes:
· Covenant Faithfulness: The narrative of Vaniah ties into the broader biblical theme of covenant faithfulness, where God's people are called to live in accordance with His laws and commands.
· Repentance and Renewal: The actions taken by Ezra and the community reflect the biblical principle of repentance and the need for spiritual renewal.
· Holiness and Separation: The call to put away foreign wives is an example of the biblical theme of holiness, where God's people are set apart for His purposes and are to avoid influences that lead them away from Him.

Cross-References:
· Ezra 9-10: These chapters provide the broader context of the reform led by Ezra and the issue of intermarriage.
· Nehemiah 13:23-27: Nehemiah also addresses the issue of intermarriage, reinforcing the importance of maintaining the purity of the Israelite community.
· Deuteronomy 7:3-4: The Law of Moses explicitly warns against intermarriage with foreign nations to prevent the turning away from God.Vaniah

nourishment, or weapons, of the Lord

Vaniah

(Jehovah is praise), one of the sons of Bani, (Ezra 10:36) (B.C. 458.)

VANIAH

va-ni'-a (wanyah, meaning unknown): A son of Bani, who had married a foreign wife (Ezra 10:36). The text is, however, doubtful. The Septuagint Codex Vaticanus has Ouiechoa; Codex Sinaiticus Ouierecho; Codex Alexandrinus Ouounia, Lucian Ouania.

2057. Vanyah -- an Israelite
... 2056, 2057. Vanyah. 2058 . an Israelite. Transliteration: Vanyah Phonetic Spelling:
(van-yaw') Short Definition: Vaniah. ... NASB Word Usage Vaniah (1). Vaniah. ...
/hebrew/2057.htm - 6kVaniah (1 Occurrence)
...VANIAH. va-ni'-a (wanyah, meaning unknown): A son of Bani, who had married a foreign
wife (Ezra 10:36). ... Multi-Version Concordance Vaniah (1 Occurrence). ...
/v/vaniah.htm - 7k

Vani'ah (1 Occurrence)
Vani'ah. Vaniah, Vani'ah. Vanish . Multi-Version Concordance Vani'ah (1
Occurrence). Ezra 10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib; (See RSV). ...
/v/vani'ah.htm - 6k

Vampire

/v/vampire.htm - 7k

Eli'ashib (15 Occurrences)
... and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza. (See RSV). Ezra 10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth,
Eliashib; (See RSV). Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high ...
/e/eli'ashib.htm - 10k

Eliashib (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Ezra 10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Nehemiah ...
/e/eliashib.htm - 13k

Mer'emoth (6 Occurrences)
... Ezra 10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib; (See RSV). Nehemiah 3:4 And next unto
them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. ...
/m/mer'emoth.htm - 7k

Meremoth (6 Occurrences)
... DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Ezra 10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, (WEB KJV JPS
ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Nehemiah 3:4 Next to them ...
/m/meremoth.htm - 11k

Anos
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANOS. a'-nos (Anos = Vaniah (Ezra 10:36): A
son of Bani who put away his "strange wife" (1 Esdras 9:34). ...
/a/anos.htm - 6k

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