Lexical Summary Athlay: Athlai Original Word: עַתְלַי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Athlai From an unused root meaning to compress; constringent; Athlai, an Israelite -- Athlai. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originthe same as Athalyah, q.v. Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲתַלְיָ֫ה(וּׅ, עַתְלָ֑י proper name, feminine and masculine (? ׳י is exalted); — 1. feminine Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, mother of Ahaziah king of Judah; Γοθολια: יָהוּ- 2 Kings 8:26; 2 Kings 11:2,20 2Chronicles 22:2,10,11; 23:12,13,21; 24:7; יָה- 2 Kings 11:1,3,13,14; 2Chronicles 22:12. 2. masculine a. 1 Chronicles 8:26 Ογοθολια. b. Ezra 8:7 Αθελει, A Αθλια; ᵐ5L Γοθονίου (genitive). c. עַתְלָ֑י one with foreign wife Ezra 10:28, Θαλι, A Οθαλι. Topical Lexicon Biblical occurrence Athlai appears only once in Scripture, in Ezra 10:28, where he is listed among “the sons of Bebai” who had married foreign wives and who, under Ezra’s leadership, pledged to put them away in order to restore covenant faithfulness. Historical context The scene takes place during Ezra’s ministry (circa 458 B.C.) after the second return from Babylonian exile. Ezra arrived in Jerusalem to teach the Law of Moses and found widespread intermarriage with surrounding peoples (Ezra 9:1–2). Because such unions threatened Israel’s distinct identity and obedience to the covenant (Deuteronomy 7:3–4), Ezra led the community in confession and reform. The list in Ezra 10 names those who responded to that call; Athlai’s inclusion testifies that even relatively small families, such as the Bebai clan, were represented in the nation-wide repentance. Genealogical considerations The clan of Bebai had returned earlier with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:11; Nehemiah 7:16) and later sent more men with Ezra (Ezra 8:11). Athlai thus belongs to a family twice noted for willingness to leave Babylon and resettle in the land—a lineage marked by costly obedience. Yet, like many others, his household drifted into compromise. Scripture’s preservation of individual names underscores both personal accountability and the thoroughness of the reform. Theological themes • Covenant purity. By recording Athlai among those who separated from foreign wives, Ezra 10 highlights the seriousness of Israel’s calling to be “a people holy to the LORD” (Deuteronomy 7:6). Practical applications 1. Personal responsibility. Scripture names Athlai individually, reminding believers that neither obscurity nor group identity excuses disobedience (Romans 14:12). Relationship to New Testament principles Athlai’s account foreshadows the greater separation required of Christ’s disciples. Just as post-exilic Israel renewed its covenant identity, the church is called to keep itself “unstained by the world” (James 1:27). Repentance evidenced by concrete change remains the path of restoration (Acts 26:20). The listing of Athlai therefore functions as an Old Testament case study illustrating that true faith results in obedient action (James 2:17). Summary Though mentioned only once, Athlai stands as a witness to the seriousness with which God’s people must treat covenant fidelity. His inclusion in Ezra 10:28 links a single Israelite household to the broader redemptive purpose of preserving a holy nation through whom Messiah would come. His brief appearance invites every generation to embrace wholehearted repentance and sustained obedience to God’s revealed will. Forms and Transliterations עַתְלָֽי׃ עתלי׃ ‘aṯ·lāy ‘aṯlāy atLaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 10:28 HEB: חֲנַנְיָ֖ה זַבַּ֥י עַתְלָֽי׃ ס KJV: Hananiah, Zabbai, [and] Athlai. INT: Hananiah Zabbai Athlai 1 Occurrence |
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