Ezra 10:31
From the descendants of Harim: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
From the descendants of Harim:

Harim was among the families that returned from Babylonian exile and helped restore life in Jerusalem. Although a priestly house bearing the same name appears in the return lists, the men named here occur in Ezra’s list of Israelites who had taken foreign wives. Their inclusion shows that covenant unfaithfulness had reached throughout the community and required a sincere, public response.

Ezr 2:39 and the descendants of Harim, 1,017.
Neh 7:42 and the descendants of Harim, 1,017.
Neh 10:5 Harim, Meremoth, Obadiah,

Eliezer,

Eliezer, whose name means “God is my help,” joined the others in acknowledging the seriousness of disobedience to God’s law. The restoration of Israel required more than rebuilding the temple and city; it required households ordered by faithfulness to the Lord.

Ezr 8:16 Then I summoned the leaders: Eliezer, Ariel…
1Ch 7:8 The sons of Becher: Zemirah, Joash, Eliezer…
1Ch 23:15 The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer.

Isshijah,

Isshijah, also spelled Jeshaiah in some translations and meaning “Yahweh exists” or “Yahweh is salvation,” stood among those whose names were preserved as part of the community’s repentance. God’s covenant people were called to distinguish themselves from the idolatrous practices that had contributed to the judgment of exile.

1Ch 7:3 The son of Uzzi: Izrahiah. The sons of Izrahiah:…
1Ch 12:6 Elkanah, Isshiah, Azarel, Joezer, and Jashobeam…

Malchijah,

Malchijah’s participation in the reform recognized the Lord’s rightful rule over personal and family life. Submission to God’s kingship required costly obedience when prior choices conflicted with His commands. Malchijah means “My king is Yahweh.”

1Ch 24:9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,
Neh 3:11 Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab…
Neh 3:31 Next to him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths…

Shemaiah,

Shemaiah, whose name means “Yahweh has heard,” was counted among those who responded to Ezra’s call for repentance. The record testifies that God’s people could not treat sin lightly while seeking His blessing upon the restored nation.

1Ch 15:8 from the Elizaphanites, Shemaiah the chief…
1Ch 26:4 And Obed-edom also had sons: Shemaiah the firstborn…
2Ch 17:8 accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah,…

Shimeon,

Shimeon’s name, a variant of Simeon meaning “heard,” closes the list from Harim’s descendants. Their confession and action demonstrated that renewed worship in Jerusalem depended upon renewed fidelity to the covenant.

1Ch 4:20 The sons of Shimon: Amnon, Rinnah, Ben-hanan,…
Gen 46:10 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar…
Num 1:6 from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;

Persons / Places / Events
1. Harim
A priestly family mentioned in the context of those who had taken foreign wives, which was against the Law of Moses. The family of Harim is noted for its involvement in the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple.

2. Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon
These are individuals from the family of Harim who are specifically named as having taken foreign wives. Their inclusion in this list highlights the personal accountability and the need for repentance and reform.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience to God's Law
The Israelites' intermarriage with foreign women was a direct violation of God's commandments. This passage reminds us of the importance of adhering to God's Word in our lives.

Personal Accountability
The naming of individuals highlights the need for personal responsibility in spiritual matters. Each person is accountable for their actions before God.

Repentance and Reform
The actions taken by the Israelites in Ezra 10 demonstrate the necessity of repentance and making amends when we stray from God's path.

Community Purity and Holiness
The issue of intermarriage was not just a personal matter but affected the entire community's spiritual health. We are reminded of the importance of maintaining holiness within the body of believers.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the inclusion of specific names in Ezra 10:31 teach us about personal accountability in our spiritual lives?

2. How does the issue of intermarriage in Ezra 10 relate to the broader theme of obedience to God's commandments found throughout the Bible?

3. In what ways can we apply the principles of repentance and reform from Ezra 10 to our own lives today?

4. How does the community's response to sin in Ezra 10 inform our understanding of the role of the church in addressing sin within its members?

5. What other biblical examples can you think of where individuals or groups had to make difficult decisions to align with God's will, and how can these examples encourage us in our faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 9
This chapter provides the background for Ezra 10, where Ezra learns of the intermarriages and prays for the people's repentance. It sets the stage for the events of chapter 10.

Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah also deals with the issue of intermarriage, showing the ongoing struggle to maintain the purity of the Israelite community according to the Law.

Deuteronomy 7:3-4
This passage outlines the prohibition against intermarriage with foreign nations, which is the basis for the actions taken in Ezra 10.
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
Eliezer, Elie'zer, Harim, Ishijah, Isshijah, Isshi'jah, Jishijah, Malchiah, Malchijah, Malchi'jah, Malkijah, Shemaiah, Shemai'ah, Shimeon, Shim'e-on, Simeon, Sons
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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