Ezra 10:34

KJV

Of the sons of Bani; Maadai, Amram, and Uel,

KJV (with Strong's)

Of the sons {H1121} of Bani {H1137}; Maadai {H4572}, Amram {H6019}, and Uel {H177},

Complete Jewish Bible

of the descendants of Bani: Ma'adai, 'Amram, U'el,

Berean Standard Bible

From the descendants of Bani:

American Standard Version

Of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, and Uel,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 10:34 is a precise entry within a comprehensive register in the book of Ezra, meticulously documenting individuals from the post-exilic Israelite community who had transgressed God's covenant by marrying foreign wives. This particular verse identifies Maadai, Amram, and Uel as members of the clan of Bani who participated in this widespread sin and subsequently committed to the painful but necessary act of putting away their foreign spouses and children, thereby reaffirming their dedication to the renewed covenant with Yahweh and the restoration of Israel's spiritual purity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 10:34 is situated within a detailed list of men in [Ezra 10](/ezra/10 "Ezra 10 - Covenant Renewal and Repentance") who had taken foreign wives and agreed to separate from them. This list serves as the concrete outcome of the crisis described in [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer of Confession"), where Ezra, upon learning of the widespread intermarriage, expresses profound grief and offers a fervent prayer of confession on behalf of the people. The people, moved by Ezra's anguish and their own conviction of sin, respond by making a solemn covenant to rectify this transgression ([Ezra 10:1-5](/ezra/10-1 "Ezra 10:1-5 - The People's Confession and Covenant")). The subsequent verses detail the process of investigation and the final list of names, underscoring the seriousness of the commitment and the corporate nature of the repentance. The inclusion of specific names like those in [Ezra 10:34](/ezra/10-34 "Ezra 10:34 - Sons of Bani") provides a tangible record of the community's painful but resolute act of covenant renewal.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Ezra 10 unfold during the post-exilic period, approximately a century after the initial return from Babylonian captivity. The returned exiles, a remnant of Israel, were striving to re-establish their identity as God's holy people in the land. Intermarriage with the surrounding pagan peoples (Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites, as listed in [Ezra 9:1](/ezra/9-1 "Ezra 9:1 - Intermarriage with Foreigners")) was strictly forbidden under the Mosaic Law ([Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")). This prohibition was not merely about racial purity but about maintaining spiritual distinctiveness and preventing the infiltration of idolatry and pagan practices, which had historically led Israel astray. The act of putting away foreign wives, while culturally jarring and personally devastating, was seen as a necessary measure to preserve the theological and covenantal integrity of the nascent Jewish community, ensuring their survival as the people through whom God's redemptive plan would unfold.

* **Key Themes:** The verse, as part of [Ezra 10](/ezra/10 "Ezra 10 - Covenant Renewal"), contributes to several overarching themes. Foremost is **Covenant Fidelity and Purity**, emphasizing Israel's desperate need to return to obedience to God's law and maintain their distinct, holy identity, separated from the defiling influences of paganism. This pursuit of purity was essential for their role as God's chosen people. Secondly, the passage highlights **Repentance and Reform**, demonstrating that true repentance is not merely an emotional confession but involves concrete, often costly, actions to rectify sin and align with divine commands. The public identification of individuals underscores the communal nature of sin and the corporate responsibility for reform. Finally, the meticulous **Accountability and Record-Keeping** evident in these lists reflects the high value placed on lineage, community integrity, and the serious nature of covenant obligations in ancient Israel, serving as a historical testament to their commitment to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bani (Hebrew, _Bānî_):** This name signifies "my builder" or "my son." In the context of Ezra, "sons of Bani" refers to a specific clan or family group, likely a prominent one given the number of its members mentioned in the lists of those who had taken foreign wives ([Ezra 10:29](/ezra/10-29 "Ezra 10:29 - Sons of Bani in the List"), [Ezra 10:34](/ezra/10-34 "Ezra 10:34 - Sons of Bani in the List")). The inclusion of the clan name before the individual names emphasizes the collective identity and the widespread nature of the sin within specific family lines, highlighting a corporate failure that required corporate repentance.
* **Maadai (Hebrew, _Ma‘ăday_):** Meaning "ornament of Yahweh" or "my ornament," this name, like Amram and Uel, is a proper noun identifying an individual from the Bani clan. The inclusion of specific names in such a sensitive list underscores the personal accountability of each man involved in the transgression and the public nature of their repentance. It signifies that the reform was not an abstract concept but involved real people making difficult, personal choices.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of the sons of Bani;":** This initial phrase identifies the specific family or clan to which the subsequent individuals belong. It indicates that the problem of intermarriage was not isolated but pervasive, affecting various family units within the returned community. The clan designation provides a framework for understanding the scope of the issue and the organized nature of the subsequent reform.
* **"Maadai, Amram, and Uel,":** These are three distinct individuals identified by name. Their inclusion in this list confirms their participation in the sin of intermarriage and, by implication of the surrounding narrative, their agreement to put away their foreign wives. The naming of specific individuals emphasizes the personal responsibility within the corporate sin and the public record of their repentance, making the reform concrete and undeniable.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Ezra 10:34, and indeed throughout much of [Ezra 10](/ezra/10 "Ezra 10 - The List of Those Who Repented"), is **Cataloging** or **Listing**. The meticulous enumeration of names and clans serves several purposes. It underscores the pervasive nature of the sin of intermarriage, demonstrating that it was not an isolated incident but a widespread issue requiring comprehensive action. Furthermore, it highlights the thoroughness of the community's repentance and reform; the detailed record acts as a testament to the solemnity and seriousness with which the covenant was renewed. The **Repetition** of the phrase "sons of..." followed by various clan names reinforces the communal aspect of both the sin and the subsequent purification. This detailed record also serves as a historical document, emphasizing the importance of lineage and identity for the post-exilic community, ensuring that their renewed commitment to God's covenant was publicly acknowledged and preserved for future generations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 10:34, though a simple listing of names, powerfully illustrates the Old Testament emphasis on the holiness and distinctiveness of God's covenant people. The painful act of separating from foreign wives and children was a drastic measure, yet it was deemed necessary to prevent the spiritual assimilation that had historically led Israel into idolatry and judgment. This commitment to purity reflects a foundational theological truth: God calls His people to be set apart, consecrated to Him alone. While the specific cultural context of intermarriage is unique to ancient Israel's covenant, the underlying principle of avoiding spiritual compromise and maintaining fidelity to God's commands remains timeless. It speaks to the ongoing struggle for believers to live in the world without being conformed to its ungodly values, ensuring that our deepest allegiances are to Christ and His kingdom.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Do Not Intermarry")
* [Nehemiah 13:23-27](/nehemiah/13-23 "Nehemiah 13:23-27 - Nehemiah's Action Against Intermarriage")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality presented in Ezra 10:34 and the surrounding narrative challenges us to consider the depth of our own commitment to God's covenant. While we are not bound by the specific Old Testament command regarding intermarriage, the principle of spiritual purity and avoiding entanglements that compromise our faith is profoundly relevant. This passage calls us to examine areas in our lives where we might be unequally yoked or where worldly influences threaten to dilute our devotion to Christ. True obedience often requires difficult, costly choices—choices that may involve personal sacrifice, breaking ties with ungodly practices, or walking away from relationships that pull us away from God. The corporate nature of the sin and repentance in Ezra also reminds us of our responsibility to the purity of the church community. Our individual choices have ripple effects, and our collective faithfulness contributes to the health and witness of the body of Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "foreign influences" or "unequal yokes" in my life might be compromising my spiritual purity or devotion to Christ?**
* **What difficult, costly choices might God be calling me to make in order to align my life more fully with His will?**
* **How does my personal commitment to holiness contribute to the overall health and witness of my local church community?**
* **In what ways can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to sin and a deeper desire for repentance, both individually and corporately?**

### FAQ
**Why are these lists of names so important in Ezra?**

Answer: The detailed lists of names, including those in [Ezra 10:34](/ezra/10-34 "Ezra 10:34 - Sons of Bani"), serve several crucial purposes. First, they underscore the widespread nature of the sin of intermarriage, demonstrating that it was not an isolated issue but a significant problem affecting many families and clans within the returned community. Second, they provide a tangible record of the community's repentance and commitment to reform, showing that the resolution was not merely verbal but involved specific individuals taking concrete, painful action. This meticulous record-keeping emphasizes the seriousness of the covenant renewal and the accountability of each person. Finally, in a post-exilic context where identity and lineage were paramount, these lists reinforced the distinctiveness of the Israelite community and their renewed dedication to God's laws, separating them from the surrounding pagan cultures.

**Was it cruel for the men to put away their foreign wives and children?**

Answer: From a modern perspective, the command to put away foreign wives and children seems exceptionally harsh and raises significant ethical questions. However, it is crucial to understand this within its specific historical and covenantal context. For ancient Israel, the prohibition against intermarriage was not primarily about race or ethnicity, but about the preservation of their unique covenant relationship with Yahweh and the prevention of idolatry. Past history, particularly during the time of the Judges and the monarchy, demonstrated that intermarriage invariably led to the adoption of pagan religious practices, which undermined Israel's identity as God's holy people and resulted in divine judgment. In the post-exilic period, with the community being a small, vulnerable remnant, the threat of spiritual assimilation was existential. The action, though personally devastating for those involved, was seen as a necessary, albeit painful, measure to ensure the survival of the covenant community and its mission to bear witness to the one true God. It was a radical act of corporate repentance to secure the spiritual future of Israel, which ultimately paved the way for the coming of the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 10:34, with its stark depiction of a covenant community striving for purity through separation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament's emphasis on external purity and ethnic separation was a shadow, pointing to a deeper spiritual reality. While the Mosaic Law commanded separation from foreign nations to preserve the lineage and theological integrity of Israel, Christ establishes a new covenant that transcends ethnic and national boundaries. In Christ, purity is achieved not by putting away physical spouses, but by the spiritual transformation of the heart and mind, where believers are called to put away the "old self" and its sinful desires ([Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Put Off the Old Self")). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "Lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making true reconciliation and spiritual purity possible for all who believe, regardless of their background. The church, as the new covenant community, is called to be a holy bride, "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ's Love for the Church")), a purity achieved through Christ's sacrificial love, not through legalistic separation. Thus, the painful and limited purity of Ezra's day foreshadows the glorious, inclusive, and spiritual purity offered freely through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.

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.