Ezra 10:26
From the descendants of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah.
From the descendants of Elam:

Elam was among the families represented in the returned community. Members of this clan had entered marriages that compromised Israel’s covenant separation and exposed the people again to the idolatrous practices from which God had delivered them. Their inclusion in the record shows that covenant reform reached respected families as well as the wider community.

Ezr 8:7 from the descendants of Elam, Jeshaiah son of Athaliah…
Ezr 2:7 the descendants of Elam, 1,254;
Neh 7:12 the descendants of Elam, 1,254;

Mattaniah,

Mattaniah, whose name means “gift of Yahweh,” bore a name that honored the Lord as the giver of every good gift. His presence among those who confessed their sin demonstrates that God’s gifts do not remove the need for repentance and obedience.

Neh 12:8 The Levites were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah…
Neh 11:17 Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph…
1Ch 9:15 Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal, and Mattaniah son of Mica…

Zechariah,

Zechariah’s name, meaning “Yahweh remembers,” recalled that the Lord remembers His covenant and His people. God’s faithfulness called for a faithful response from those restored to the land after exile..

1Ch 15:18 and with them their brothers next in rank:…
1Ch 15:24 Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai……
Neh 8:4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform…

Jehiel,

Jehiel’s name testified that God lives. The returned exiles were not rebuilding a merely national identity, but a worshiping people devoted to the living God.

2Ch 31:13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, …
2Ch 29:14 Jehiel and Shimei from the Hemanites;…
1Ch 27:32 David’s uncle Jonathan was a counselor; he was a man…

Abdi,

Abdi’s name, meaning “my servant,” reflected the posture of a servant. Israel’s restoration depended upon submitting again to the Lord’s commands rather than following the customs of the surrounding nations.

2Ch 29:12 Then the Levites set to work: Mahath son of Amasai…
1Ch 6:44 On the left were their kinsmen, the sons of Merari:…
Ezr 9:1-2 After these things had been accomplished…

Jeremoth,

Jeremoth’s name, meaning “he is exalted,” directed attention to the exaltation of God. The reforms under Ezra affirmed that the Lord’s honor stood above family alliances, social convenience, and personal desire.

1Ch 23:23 The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth—three in all.
1Ch 7:8 The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer…

and Elijah.

Elijah’s name confessed, “My God is Yahweh,” recalling the prophet who opposed idolatry and summoned Israel back to exclusive worship of the Lord. The confession required of these men called them to the same undivided allegiance.

1Ki 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers…
1Ki 18:36 At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah…
2Ki 2:11 As they were walking along and talking together,…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elam
A family or clan within the Israelite community. The descendants of Elam were among those who had taken foreign wives, which was against the Law of Moses.

2. Mattaniah
One of the descendants of Elam who was involved in the issue of intermarriage with foreign women.

3. Zechariah
Another descendant of Elam, sharing in the same transgression as Mattaniah.

4. Jehiel
Also a descendant of Elam, listed among those who had married foreign women.

5. Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah
Additional descendants of Elam, all implicated in the same issue of intermarriage.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' disobedience in marrying foreign women was a direct violation of God's commands. This highlights the importance of adhering to God's Word in all aspects of life.

Community Accountability
The listing of names signifies the communal responsibility in addressing sin. It reminds us that our actions affect the broader community of believers.

Repentance and Restoration
The chapter emphasizes the need for repentance and the steps toward restoration. It encourages believers to seek forgiveness and make amends when they stray from God's path.

Guarding Against Compromise
The issue of intermarriage serves as a metaphor for spiritual compromise. Believers are called to guard their hearts and lives against influences that can lead them away from God.

The Role of Leadership
Ezra's leadership in addressing the sin of intermarriage underscores the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide their communities in righteousness.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of specific names in Ezra 10:26 teach us about personal accountability in our spiritual lives?

2. How can the issue of intermarriage in Ezra 10 be related to modern-day challenges of maintaining spiritual purity?

3. In what ways does the community's response to sin in Ezra 10 serve as a model for how the church should address sin today?

4. How do the commands in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 relate to the events in Ezra 10, and what can we learn about the consequences of disobedience?

5. What role does repentance play in restoring one's relationship with God, and how can we apply this in our daily walk with Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 9
Provides context for Ezra 10, detailing the problem of intermarriage and the spiritual and communal implications for Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
Offers the original command against intermarriage with foreign nations, highlighting the risk of turning away from God.

Nehemiah 13:23-27
Describes a similar issue of intermarriage and the steps taken to address it, reinforcing the importance of maintaining purity in worship and community.
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
Abdi, Elam, Eliah, Elijah, Eli'jah, Jehiel, Jehi'el, Jeremoth, Jer'emoth, Mattaniah, Mattani'ah, Sons, Zechariah, Zechari'ah
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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