Ezra 10:28

Context of Ezra 10:28

Ezra 10:28 is a specific entry within a detailed list found in Ezra chapter 10. This chapter records the solemn act of national repentance and purification undertaken by the Jewish community after their return from Babylonian exile. Under the leadership of Ezra, the scribe and priest, the people confessed their sin of intermarrying with foreign women, a practice explicitly forbidden by God's Law (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The verse lists four men—Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai—who were "of the sons of Bebai" and were among those who had taken foreign wives and agreed to put them away. This comprehensive list underscores the widespread nature of the problem and the thoroughness of the reform.

Key Themes and Messages

• Commitment to Purity: The primary theme is the restoration of the covenant community's purity. Intermarriage was seen as a major threat to their spiritual identity and commitment to God, potentially leading to idolatry and apostasy. The painful decision to separate from these wives and their children demonstrates a profound commitment to spiritual and ethnic integrity.
• National Repentance and Obedience: Ezra 10 details a corporate act of repentance, where the entire community acknowledged their sin and committed to tangible steps of obedience. The listing of names, including those in Ezra 10:28, highlights the personal accountability within this national movement. It was not merely a verbal confession but an action-oriented turning away from sin.
• The Cost of Disobedience: The narrative implicitly conveys the severe consequences of straying from God's commands. While the act of putting away wives was undoubtedly painful and disruptive, it was deemed necessary to prevent further spiritual decay and to secure God's blessing on the restored nation.

Linguistic Insights

The names listed in Ezra 10:28 are all Hebrew. "Bebai" (Hebrew: בֵּבַי, Bebay) is a family name, appearing in lists of those who returned from exile (Ezra 2:11, Nehemiah 7:16). The personal names like Jehohanan (יְהוֹחָנָן, Yehochanan, meaning "Yahweh is gracious") and Hananiah (חֲנַנְיָה, Chananyah, meaning "Yahweh has favored") are common theophoric names, incorporating a divine element (Yahweh/Lord). While the meanings of the individual names are not the focus of this particular verse, their inclusion in a list of those confessing sin adds a layer of irony or poignancy, as those named for God's grace or favor were in need of it due to their disobedience.

Practical Application

While the specific cultural context of intermarriage and putting away wives is unique to ancient Israel, the underlying principles of Ezra 10:28 resonate today. The passage calls believers to consider:

1. Spiritual Purity: Are there areas in our lives where we have compromised our faith or allowed influences that contradict God's Word to take root? This could involve relationships, entertainment, or worldly ambitions that pull us away from Christ.
2. Genuine Repentance: True repentance involves more than just sorrow; it requires concrete actions to turn away from sin and align with God's will. It often involves difficult choices and personal sacrifice.
3. Accountability in Community: The detailed list in Ezra highlights the importance of communal accountability and transparency in addressing sin within the church. We are called to support one another in pursuing righteousness and holiness, as encouraged in Hebrews 12:14.

Ezra 10:28, though a brief entry in a list, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands and the challenging yet necessary path of corporate and individual purification for a people dedicated to Him.