Ezra 10:30

KJV

And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.

KJV (with Strong's)

And of the sons {H1121} of Pahathmoab {H6355}; Adna {H5733}, and Chelal {H3636}, Benaiah {H1141}, Maaseiah {H4641}, Mattaniah {H4983}, Bezaleel {H1212}, and Binnui {H1131}, and Manasseh {H4519}.

Complete Jewish Bible

of the descendants of Pachat-Mo'av: 'Adna, K'lal, B'nayah, Ma'aseiyah, Mattanyah, B'tzal'el, Binui and M'nasheh;

Berean Standard Bible

From the descendants of Pahath-moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh.

American Standard Version

And of the sons of Pahath-moab: Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 10:30 is a specific entry within a detailed register of individuals from the clan of Pahathmoab who had taken foreign wives and subsequently agreed to separate from them in an act of profound repentance and obedience. This verse, though merely a list of names, serves as a tangible testament to the community's commitment to spiritual purification and covenant fidelity during a critical period of post-exilic restoration, highlighting the personal cost and corporate nature of genuine turning back to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 10:30 is situated within the climactic chapters of the book of Ezra, specifically following Ezra's fervent prayer of confession and the people's subsequent covenant to address the widespread sin of intermarriage. Chapters [9](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer of Confession") and [10](/ezra/10 "Ezra 10 - The Covenant to Put Away Foreign Wives") detail a severe spiritual crisis where many returned exiles had violated God's explicit commands against marrying foreign women, a practice that threatened to corrupt the distinct identity and spiritual purity of Israel. Moved by Ezra's deep distress and conviction, the community, led by Shecaniah, made a solemn oath to put away their foreign wives and children ([Ezra 10:2-5](/ezra/10-2 "Ezra 10:2-5 - Covenant to Separate")). Ezra 10:18-44 then provides the painstaking record of the men who complied with this difficult decree, with verse 30 specifically listing eight individuals from the prominent lineage of Pahathmoab, underscoring the communal and personal commitment to spiritual purity and covenant renewal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Ezra take place in the post-exilic period, following the return of Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity, first under Zerubbabel and then later under Ezra himself. The Persian Empire ruled the region, and the returned community was striving to re-establish its religious and national identity in Jerusalem. Intermarriage with the surrounding pagan peoples was a direct violation of God's commands, particularly those found in [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition Against Intermarriage"), which explicitly forbade such unions to prevent the spiritual corruption of Israel through idolatry and the dilution of their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh. In ancient Israel, lineage and clan identity were paramount for land inheritance, social structure, and maintaining tribal distinctiveness, making the inclusion of specific clan names like "Pahathmoab" significant as it indicated a widespread issue affecting even prominent families.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, despite being a simple list, powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Ezra and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the critical importance of **Obedience to God's Law**, demonstrating that true faithfulness sometimes demands radical and costly personal sacrifice, even when it involves difficult decisions about relationships. The act of putting away foreign wives was a tangible and painful demonstration of **Repentance and Purification**, a turning away from sin to restore the community's spiritual purity and covenant fidelity, reflecting God's unwavering demand for holiness from His people ([Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). Furthermore, it underscores **Covenant Fidelity**, as the intermarriages threatened the very identity of Israel as God's distinct people and the preservation of the holy seed, necessitating a renewed commitment to their unique relationship with God. Finally, the detailed list emphasizes **Corporate Responsibility**, showing that the entire community, from leaders to common people, participated in this act of repentance, demonstrating a collective commitment to spiritual health and accountability.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pahathmoab (Hebrew, _Paḥat-Mo'av'_):** This name likely means "governor of Moab" or "pit of Moab," indicating a prominent family or clan among the returned exiles. Their inclusion in this list signifies that the sin of intermarriage was not confined to a marginalized group but permeated even significant lineages within the community. The fact that members of such an established family were involved underscores the pervasive nature of the spiritual compromise and the extensive reach of the subsequent repentance.
* **Sons (Hebrew, _bəney'_):** The term "sons" emphasizes the patriarchal structure of Israelite society and the importance of male lineage in maintaining tribal identity and covenant responsibilities. The listing of these men by name highlights individual accountability within the corporate action, demonstrating that the community's repentance was comprised of specific, personal acts of obedience.
* **Benaiah (Hebrew, _Bənayāh_):** Meaning "Yahweh has built" or "Yahweh has established." The names themselves, often containing theophoric elements (references to God), ironically contrast with the unfaithful actions of those who bore them. This irony highlights the profound spiritual disconnect that had occurred, even among those whose very names proclaimed God's work, and underscores the grace involved in their return to covenant faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And of the sons of Pahathmoab;":** This introductory phrase identifies the specific clan or family group from which the following individuals originated. It places these men within a known social and genealogical context, emphasizing that the problem of intermarriage and the subsequent act of repentance were not isolated incidents but affected established segments of the community.
* **"Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.":** This is a direct enumeration of eight specific individuals. The act of listing names in ancient Near Eastern texts served as a formal record, signifying accountability, compliance, and the official nature of the actions taken. Each name represents a personal decision to obey God's command, contributing to the larger narrative of corporate repentance and purification.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 10:30, as part of a larger list, primarily employs the literary device of **List/Genealogy**. This technique is common in biblical literature (e.g., Genesis, Chronicles) and serves multiple purposes: it provides a historical record, establishes legal documentation of compliance, and demonstrates the widespread nature of the problem and the collective participation in its resolution. The very act of naming each individual underscores **Accountability**, showing that each person had to make a personal decision to comply with the covenant. While not a direct literary device, there is a subtle **Irony** in some of the names (e.g., Benaiah, Mattaniah, which mean "Yahweh has built" and "Gift of Yahweh" respectively). These names, imbued with theological meaning, belong to individuals who had strayed from God's covenant, highlighting the contrast between their heritage and their actions, and ultimately, the grace of God in their repentance and restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 10:30, though a simple list of names, speaks volumes about God's unwavering demand for holiness and the painful but necessary process of repentance. The theological principle at play is that God's people are called to be distinct and set apart, not merely outwardly, but in their hearts and relationships, reflecting His own holy character. The intermarriages were not just social blunders but spiritual compromises that threatened to dilute Israel's covenant identity and lead them into idolatry, undermining God's redemptive plan. The drastic action of putting away foreign wives, though culturally jarring to modern sensibilities, was a desperate measure to preserve the spiritual integrity of the "holy seed" and ensure the continuation of the lineage through which the Messiah would come. It underscores that true repentance often requires radical action and a willingness to sever ties that compromise one's relationship with God.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition Against Intermarriage")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")
* [Malachi 2:10-16](/malachi/2-10 "Malachi 2:10-16 - Treachery in Marriage")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ezra 10:30, seemingly a dry list, serves as a powerful reminder that genuine obedience to God often comes at a significant personal cost. The men listed here made an incredibly difficult choice, demonstrating that true repentance is not merely a feeling of regret but a tangible turning away from sin, even when it involves profound personal sacrifice and societal disruption. For believers today, while the specific command regarding intermarriage is understood differently under the New Covenant, the underlying principle of spiritual purity and separation from defiling influences remains paramount. We are called to examine our lives and relationships, asking where we might be compromising our faith or allowing worldly values to dilute our commitment to Christ. This passage challenges us to consider what "costly obedience" looks like in our own lives, whether it's letting go of harmful habits, unhealthy relationships, or worldly ambitions that hinder our spiritual growth. It also highlights the importance of corporate accountability and mutual encouragement within the community of faith to uphold God's standards and pursue holiness together.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of my life or relationships might be compromising my spiritual purity or hindering my full devotion to God?**
* **What "costly obedience" might God be calling me to embrace, even if it involves personal sacrifice or discomfort?**
* **How does my community of faith support or challenge me in pursuing holiness and separating from worldly influences?**
* **In what ways can I demonstrate genuine repentance through tangible actions, rather than just words or feelings?**

### FAQ
**Why is a list of names like Ezra 10:30 so important in the biblical narrative?**

Answer: A list of names in the Bible, such as that found in [Ezra 10:18-44](/ezra/10-18 "Ezra 10:18-44 - List of Those Who Put Away Foreign Wives"), serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it functions as an official record, demonstrating the historical accuracy and legal compliance of the community's actions. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such lists were vital for accountability. Secondly, it underscores the widespread nature of the problem of intermarriage and, more importantly, the collective and individual commitment to repentance. Each name represents a personal decision and a tangible act of obedience, showing that the community's spiritual purification was a corporate effort made up of many individual sacrifices. It highlights the seriousness with which God's commands were (eventually) taken and the personal cost involved in restoring covenant fidelity.

**Was putting away wives and children truly just, given the hardship it would cause?**

Answer: This is one of the most challenging aspects of the Ezra narrative for modern readers. From a contemporary perspective, the command to put away wives and children appears harsh and unjust. However, within the Old Covenant context, this drastic measure was deemed necessary for the spiritual survival of Israel. The intermarriages were not merely social unions but a direct violation of God's covenant, threatening to introduce idolatry and spiritual defilement into the very heart of the "holy seed" through whom the Messiah would come ([Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition Against Intermarriage")). The integrity of the covenant and the preservation of Israel's distinct identity as God's chosen people were paramount. While the human cost was immense, it highlighted the severity of sin and God's unwavering demand for holiness. It was a radical surgical intervention to prevent the spiritual death of the nation, demonstrating that God prioritizes the purity of His covenant people above all else, even human relationships that compromise that purity.

**What does "Pahathmoab" mean, and why is it significant that these men are from this clan?**

Answer: "Pahathmoab" (Hebrew, _Paḥat-Mo'av'_) likely means "governor of Moab" or "pit of Moab." It refers to a prominent and well-established family or clan among the Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem. Their significance lies in their social standing: they were not an obscure or minor group. The fact that eight men from this prominent lineage are listed in [Ezra 10:30](/ezra/10-30 "Ezra 10:30 - Men of Pahathmoab Who Put Away Foreign Wives") (and others from the same clan in [Ezra 10:11](/ezra/10-11 "Ezra 10:11 - Confession and Separation")) underscores that the sin of intermarriage was widespread, affecting even the more influential families within the community. Their inclusion in the list of those who repented and complied demonstrates that the call to spiritual purification was comprehensive, reaching all levels of society and requiring obedience from even those with significant social standing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 10:30, and the broader narrative of separating from foreign wives, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal repetition of the command, but in the spiritual purity and separation that Christ accomplishes for His people. The Old Covenant emphasis on a physically distinct "holy seed" to preserve the lineage of the Messiah is fulfilled in Jesus, who is the true "holy seed" ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham")) and the perfect embodiment of God's holiness. In the New Covenant, the call to separation shifts from physical and ethnic boundaries to a spiritual separation from the world's defilement and idolatry. Believers are called to be "in Christ" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), a new creation, and to live lives of holiness because God, who called them, is holy ([1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Be Holy as I Am Holy")). Jesus' sacrifice on the cross purifies His bride, the Church, making her holy and blameless before God ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Loves the Church")). Thus, the painful and costly separation in Ezra foreshadows the radical spiritual transformation and cleansing that Christ provides, enabling His followers to truly be a people set apart for God, not by external legalistic measures, but by the indwelling Spirit and the power of His atoning work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 7:11

The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua and Joab, two thousand and eight hundred [and] eighteen.

Ezra 8:4

Of the sons of Pahathmoab; Elihoenai the son of Zerahiah, and with him two hundred males.

Ezra 2:6

The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua [and] Joab, two thousand eight hundred and twelve.