(The Lord speaking is red text)
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Chelluh,
B'nayah, Bedyah, K'luhu,
Maadai, Amram, Uel, Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,
Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,
Benaiah{H1141}, Bedeiah{H912}, Chelluh{H3622},
Ezra 10:35 is a verse that falls within the context of the reforms initiated by Ezra, a priest and scribe, after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem. The broader narrative of Ezra 10 deals with the issue of intermarriage between the returning Jews and the surrounding peoples, which was considered a serious transgression against the Mosaic Law. The verse specifically mentions three individuals—Benaiah, Bedeiah, and Chelluh—who are named among those who had taken foreign wives.
In the historical context, the period following the Babylonian exile was critical for the reestablishment of Jewish identity and religious practice. The leaders were concerned that intermarriage would lead to idolatry and the dilution of Jewish faith and culture. Ezra, upon hearing of these marriages, tore his garments and prayed in repentance, leading to a covenant renewal among the people. This renewal included a pledge to send away foreign wives and their children, as a means of maintaining the purity of the Jewish lineage and faith.
The themes of Ezra 10:35 include covenant faithfulness, religious purity, and the importance of maintaining ethnic and religious boundaries. The verse reflects the tension between the ideal of a distinct Israelite community as prescribed by the Torah and the realities of living in a multicultural environment. It also highlights the severe measures deemed necessary by the religious leadership to ensure the survival and distinctiveness of post-exilic Judaism. The mention of specific individuals serves to personalize the broader communal issue, emphasizing the impact of these religious reforms on individual families and the community as a whole.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)