Ezra 10:37

KJV

Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau,

KJV (with Strong's)

Mattaniah {H4983}, Mattenai {H4982}, and Jaasau {H3299},

Complete Jewish Bible

Mattanyah, Matnai, Ya'asai,

Berean Standard Bible

Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu.

American Standard Version

Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasu,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 10:37 meticulously records the names of Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau, three individuals identified among those who had taken foreign wives in the post-exilic community of Judah. Their inclusion within this detailed administrative list underscores the gravity of the sin of intermarriage and the profound commitment to corporate repentance and purification undertaken by the people under Ezra's leadership, highlighting both individual accountability and the collective effort to restore covenant fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 10:37 is situated within a crucial section of the book of Ezra (chapters 9-10) that details the spiritual crisis of intermarriage and the subsequent national repentance. Following Ezra's discovery of this widespread sin and his profound lament in [Ezra 9](/ezra/9 "Ezra 9 - Ezra's Prayer of Confession"), the people, led by Shecaniah, propose a covenant to put away their foreign wives and children ([Ezra 10:2-4](/ezra/10-2 "Ezra 10:2-4 - The Proposal to Repent")). A solemn assembly is convened in [Ezra 10:9-17](/ezra/10-9 "Ezra 10:9-17 - The Assembly and Covenant"), where the people agree to this drastic measure. Verses [Ezra 10:18-43](/ezra/10-18 "Ezra 10:18-43 - List of Those Who Married Foreign Women") then provide an exhaustive, almost administrative, roster of the men who had committed this offense, organized by family and priestly lineage. The listing of Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau in verse 37 is part of this comprehensive record, emphasizing the thoroughness and individual accountability within this corporate act of purification.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The return from Babylonian exile, as chronicled in Ezra, marked a pivotal moment for the Jewish people to re-establish their identity and covenant relationship with God in the land of Israel. A significant threat to this identity was intermarriage with the surrounding pagan nations, a practice explicitly forbidden by God's law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition Against Intermarriage")). This prohibition was not merely about ethnic purity but about preserving spiritual purity and preventing the adoption of idolatrous practices that had led to the previous exile. The post-exilic community was vulnerable to assimilation, and Ezra's drastic measures reflected a deep understanding that spiritual compromise through intermarriage could undermine the very purpose of their return and the covenant God had established with them. The meticulous listing of names underscores the real, personal impact of this cultural and religious crisis.
* **Key Themes:** The verse, as part of the broader narrative, contributes to several overarching themes in Ezra. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Covenant Fidelity and Purity**, emphasizing the people's renewed commitment to God's law and their distinctiveness as His holy nation, set apart from the nations around them. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Corporate Repentance and Reformation**, showing a community-wide acknowledgment of sin and a collective willingness to undertake painful but necessary steps for spiritual restoration. Thirdly, the detailed enumeration of names underscores **Individual Accountability within Collective Action**, demonstrating that while the sin was widespread, each person involved was identified and held responsible for their part in the breach of the covenant, reinforcing the Bible's commitment to historical accuracy and personal participation in significant events.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mattaniah (Hebrew, _Mattanyah'_):** This name means "Gift of Yahweh" or "Gift of the Lord." It is a common theophoric name, incorporating "Yah" (a shortened form of Yahweh, God's personal name). The irony of a man named "Gift of Yahweh" being listed among those who had violated God's covenant through intermarriage is subtle but poignant, highlighting the human capacity for disobedience even when bearing a name that testifies to divine blessing. Its inclusion here, along with other similar names, underscores the pervasive nature of the sin, affecting even those whose very names proclaimed their connection to God.
* **Mattenai (Hebrew, _Mattenay'_):** This name is closely related to Mattaniah, possibly a shortened or variant form, also deriving from the root meaning "gift." Its presence alongside Mattaniah might suggest a familial connection or simply another individual bearing a name with similar theological overtones. Like Mattaniah, Mattenai's inclusion emphasizes the individual nature of the transgression and the meticulous record-keeping of the reform movement.
* **Jaasau (Hebrew, _Ya'asay'_):** The meaning of this name is less certain, possibly related to the root "to make" or "to do." Its inclusion, alongside the more common "Mattaniah," further demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the list. The specific naming of these individuals, rather than a generic statement, lends historical weight and gravity to the account, affirming that these were real people involved in a real, painful, but necessary act of repentance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Mattaniah":** The first name listed in this verse, indicating a specific individual from the lineage of Bani (as per [Ezra 10:29](/ezra/10-29 "Ezra 10:29 - List of Those Who Married Foreign Women")). His inclusion signifies his personal involvement in the sin of intermarriage and his subsequent agreement to participate in the covenant of separation. The very act of naming him underscores the individual responsibility inherent in the corporate repentance.
* **"Mattenai":** The second name, also from the lineage of Bani, further emphasizes the detailed and comprehensive nature of the record. The listing of multiple individuals, even within the same verse, reinforces that the problem was widespread and that the solution required the participation of many, each held accountable.
* **"and Jaasau":** The final name in this specific verse, again from the lineage of Bani, completes the trio. The cumulative effect of these named individuals within a longer list (Ezra 10:18-43) is to convey the magnitude of the challenge faced by Ezra and the community, as well as the thoroughness of their response. These names are not merely placeholders but represent real lives, real families, and real sacrifices made in the pursuit of spiritual purity.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 10:37, as part of the broader enumeration in [Ezra 10:18-43](/ezra/10-18 "Ezra 10:18-43 - List of Those Who Married Foreign Women"), primarily employs the literary device of **Catalogue** or **List**. This technique serves to provide a comprehensive and verifiable record of the individuals involved in the covenant violation and subsequent repentance. The **Specificity** of naming each person—Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasau—lends historical credibility and emphasizes individual accountability. It transforms an abstract problem into a concrete reality involving specific members of the community. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of this pattern of listing names throughout the chapter reinforces the widespread nature of the sin and the meticulous, almost administrative, process of purification undertaken by the community. This detailed record highlights the gravity of the situation and the thoroughness of the reform.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 10:37, by naming specific individuals, provides a stark reminder that sin, while often having corporate dimensions, always involves individual choices and carries personal consequences. The willingness of these men to be publicly identified and to take painful action to rectify their transgression speaks to the power of true repentance and the transformative nature of obedience to God's covenant. This event foreshadows the ongoing need for God's people to maintain spiritual purity and separation from practices that compromise their devotion to Him, underscoring that genuine faith demands costly obedience. The meticulous record-keeping also reflects God's own attention to detail, His knowledge of each individual, and His expectation of fidelity from those who bear His name.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Prohibition Against Intermarriage")
* [Nehemiah 9:2](/nehemiah/9-2 "Confession of Sin and Separation")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14 "Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The inclusion of names like Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau in Ezra 10:37, though seemingly a dry administrative detail, carries profound implications for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our faith is not merely theoretical but demands concrete, often difficult, actions of obedience and repentance. Just as these men were called to sever ties that compromised their spiritual integrity, we too are called to identify and eliminate anything in our lives—relationships, habits, or allegiances—that draws us away from complete devotion to God. This passage challenges us to consider the seriousness with which God views our spiritual purity and the integrity of our covenant relationship with Him. It underscores that true repentance often involves personal sacrifice and a willingness to be held accountable, not just in private, but sometimes within the community of faith, for the sake of corporate spiritual health.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "foreign wives" or compromising allegiances might exist in my life today that challenge my full devotion to God?**
* **How willing am I to undergo personal sacrifice for the sake of spiritual purity and obedience to God's commands?**
* **In what ways does my individual obedience or disobedience impact the spiritual health of my community or church?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of accountability in my walk with God, both personally and within my faith community?**

### FAQ
**Why are individual names like Mattaniah, Mattenai, and Jaasau specifically listed in Ezra 10:37 and the surrounding verses?**

Answer: The specific listing of individual names in Ezra 10:37 and throughout [Ezra 10:18-43](/ezra/10-18 "Ezra 10:18-43 - List of Those Who Married Foreign Women") serves several critical purposes. Firstly, it lends historical authenticity and credibility to the narrative, demonstrating that this was a real event involving real people, not a generalized or mythical account. Secondly, it underscores the principle of individual accountability; while the sin of intermarriage was widespread, each person was identified and called to account for their specific transgression. This highlights that corporate sin is ultimately composed of individual choices. Thirdly, it emphasizes the thoroughness and seriousness of the purification process undertaken by the community under Ezra's leadership. The meticulous record-keeping reflects the gravity with which they viewed their covenant obligations and their commitment to restoring spiritual purity. Finally, it serves as a powerful testament to the painful but necessary sacrifices made by individuals for the sake of the spiritual health and distinct identity of the entire nation, ensuring their adherence to God's law as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Prohibition Against Intermarriage").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ezra 10:37, with its detailed list of individuals making costly sacrifices for covenant purity, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The names like "Mattaniah," meaning "Gift of Yahweh," subtly point to the true and ultimate "Gift of Yahweh" to humanity: Jesus Christ Himself, who came not to separate from foreign wives, but to separate His people from the dominion of sin and death, thereby establishing a new covenant based on His perfect obedience and sacrifice. While Ezra's reforms addressed external purity through painful separation, Christ accomplishes an internal, spiritual purification, cleansing His bride, the Church, by His blood ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). The meticulous record of names in Ezra foreshadows God's meticulous knowledge of all those who belong to Him, whose names are written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life"). Jesus is the ultimate covenant-keeper, fulfilling the law's demands for holiness and providing the means for true reconciliation with God, not through the putting away of human relationships, but through the putting away of sin itself, allowing all who believe, regardless of their former associations, to be united to Him as one pure and holy people ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Jew or Gentile in 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.