Ezra 10:43

KJV

Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of the sons {H1121} of Nebo {H5015}; Jeiel {H3273}, Mattithiah {H4993}, Zabad {H2066}, Zebina {H2081}, Jadau {H3035}, and Joel {H3100}, Benaiah {H1141}.

Complete Jewish Bible

of the descendants of N'vo: Ye'i'el, Mattityah, Zavad, Z'vina, Yadai, Yo'el and B'nayah.

Berean Standard Bible

And from the descendants of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.

American Standard Version

Of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Iddo, and Joel, Benaiah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Ezra 10:43 meticulously records a list of individuals from the "sons of Nebo" who were found to have taken foreign wives during the post-exilic period in Judah. This verse is part of a larger, comprehensive register detailing the men who confessed their sin of intermarriage and committed to putting away their foreign wives and their children, as mandated by Ezra and the communal leadership. It underscores the gravity of the spiritual crisis and the thoroughness of the community's repentance and restoration efforts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Ezra 10:43 is situated within the climactic narrative of national repentance and purification in Ezra 9-10. Following Ezra's profound lament and prayer over the widespread sin of intermarriage (Ezra 9), the people gather and confess their sin, committing to a covenant to separate from their foreign wives (Ezra 10:1-5). A special commission is established to investigate and record every instance of intermarriage (Ezra 10:16-17). Verses 18-44 provide a detailed, almost legalistic, register of the men who had committed this sin and, by implication, had taken steps to rectify it. Ezra 10:43 specifically lists seven men from the "sons of Nebo," emphasizing the pervasive nature of the sin across various family groups and the meticulous record-keeping designed to ensure accountability and demonstrate the community's earnest commitment to purification.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Ezra chronicles the crucial post-exilic period, detailing the return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem under Persian decree. Their primary mission was to rebuild the Temple and re-establish their community under the Mosaic Law. The sin of intermarriage with people from surrounding nations (e.g., Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, as listed in [Ezra 9:1](/ezra/9-1 "Ezra 9:1 - Intermarriage with Foreigners")) was strictly forbidden by God's covenant law, notably in [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - God's Prohibition of Intermarriage"). This prohibition was not based on racial prejudice but on the imperative to preserve Israel's spiritual purity and covenant identity, preventing idolatry and assimilation into pagan practices. The historical context reveals a fragile community susceptible to syncretism, making the radical act of separation a vital measure for their spiritual survival and distinctiveness as God's chosen people. The name "Nebo" itself is significant, being the name of a prominent Babylonian deity associated with wisdom and writing, adding a subtle layer of irony to the involvement of individuals from a clan named after a pagan god in a sin that threatened Israel's distinct identity in YHWH.
* **Key Themes:** Ezra 10:43, as part of the broader narrative, contributes to several major theological and narrative themes. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Radical Obedience and Purity**, demonstrating the extreme measures deemed necessary to restore the nation's spiritual purity and full obedience to God's covenant. The painful decision to put away foreign wives and children, though difficult, was seen as essential for the community's spiritual survival and faithfulness, echoing the divine call for holiness found throughout Scripture (e.g., [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")). Secondly, the passage underscores **The Nature of True Repentance**. This repentance is not merely sorrow for sin but involves decisive turning away from it, characterized by concrete actions and significant personal sacrifice, illustrating that genuine repentance involves tangible change and commitment to God's commands, as seen in [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2_chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise of Healing Upon Repentance"). Thirdly, the meticulous listing of names, including those from the "sons of Nebo," emphasizes **Accountability and Record-Keeping**, serving as a public record of those who participated in the sin and, more importantly, those who participated in the act of repentance and restoration. Finally, the entire episode underscores the paramount importance of **Covenant Faithfulness**, even when it demands difficult personal choices, as the future of Israel's spiritual lineage and their role in God's redemptive plan hinged on their commitment to His laws.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nebo (Hebrew, _Nəbô'_):** This term refers to a specific place, likely a town in Judah or Benjamin, from which this family clan originated. However, "Nebo" was also the name of a prominent Babylonian deity, the god of wisdom and writing, son of Marduk. The dual meaning creates a subtle **irony** within the text: a clan named after a pagan god is implicated in a sin that compromises Israel's covenant with YHWH. This highlights the pervasive influence of foreign cultures and the constant spiritual battle faced by the returning exiles.
* **Sons (Hebrew, _bənê'_):** This word, literally "sons of," functions here as a common Hebrew idiom to denote a clan, family group, or descendants associated with a particular ancestor or place. Thus, "sons of Nebo" refers to the male members of the clan originating from or associated with the town of Nebo. The use of this collective term emphasizes that the problem of intermarriage was not isolated but affected entire family units and, by extension, the community at large.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of the sons of Nebo;":** This phrase identifies the specific clan or family group from which the following individuals originated. It places them within the broader demographic survey of those who had intermarried, indicating that the sin was widespread across various societal segments. The inclusion of the clan name underscores the thoroughness of the communal investigation and the public nature of the repentance.
* **"Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.":** This is a precise enumeration of seven distinct individuals from the "sons of Nebo." The listing of names is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern legal and administrative documents, serving as a formal record. In this context, it signifies the personal accountability of each man and the communal commitment to addressing the sin on an individual basis. It transforms an abstract problem into a concrete reality, demonstrating the painful but necessary steps taken to restore covenant purity.

#### Literary Devices
Ezra 10:43 primarily employs **Listing/Register**, a common literary device in historical and legal texts, especially within the Old Testament. This meticulous enumeration of names (Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, Joel, Benaiah) serves to underscore the thoroughness and gravity with which the issue of intermarriage was addressed. It transforms an abstract problem into a concrete, person-by-person accounting, emphasizing the communal nature of both the sin and the repentance. The inclusion of "Nebo," a name shared with a prominent Babylonian deity, introduces an element of **Irony**, subtly highlighting the pervasive nature of spiritual compromise even among those meant to be distinct. Furthermore, the phrase "sons of Nebo" is an example of **Metonymy**, where the name of a place or ancestor stands for the entire clan or family group, signifying their collective identity and shared responsibility within the community's purification process.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Ezra 10:43, though a simple list of names, powerfully illustrates the Old Testament's profound emphasis on covenant fidelity and the sanctity of Israel's identity as God's chosen people. The radical measures taken to separate from foreign wives underscore the theological principle that spiritual purity is paramount for maintaining a right relationship with YHWH. Intermarriage was not merely a social transgression but a direct threat to Israel's unique calling, risking assimilation into pagan idolatry and the dilution of the covenant line through which God's redemptive plan would unfold. This passage teaches that genuine repentance involves costly, tangible action, demonstrating a commitment to God's commands above personal comfort or social ties. It highlights the corporate responsibility of the community to uphold God's standards and the serious consequences of spiritual compromise.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Prohibition of Intermarriage")
* [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 account in Ezra 10:43, and the broader narrative it belongs to, challenges contemporary believers to a profound examination of their own commitment to spiritual purity and radical obedience to God's Word. While the specific cultural context of intermarriage with foreign nations is unique to ancient Israel, the underlying principles of separation from anything that compromises our covenant relationship with God remain vitally relevant. This passage calls us to consider the seriousness with which we treat sin, particularly those areas where our lives might be intertwined with worldly values or relationships that pull us away from Christ. True repentance, as exemplified here, is not just sorrow but a decisive turning away, often requiring painful choices and significant personal sacrifice to align fully with God's will. It reminds us that our individual choices have communal implications, and that a holy community is built upon the faithful obedience of its members.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "unequally yoked" (2 Corinthians 6:14), compromising my spiritual purity or devotion to Christ?**
* **Am I willing to make costly, even painful, sacrifices to obey God's clear commands and align my life more fully with His will?**
* **How seriously do I take sin, particularly those subtle compromises that might dilute my identity as a follower of Christ?**
* **What role does accountability play in my spiritual walk, and how can I better participate in or seek out a community that encourages radical obedience?**

### FAQ
**Was the command to put away foreign wives and children cruel or unjust?**

Answer: This is one of the most ethically challenging passages in the Old Testament, and it's crucial to understand it within its specific historical and theological context. The command was not primarily about racial purity but about covenant purity and the preservation of Israel's unique identity as the people through whom God's redemptive plan would unfold. Intermarriage with pagan nations was strictly forbidden (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - God's Command Against Intermarriage")) because it invariably led to idolatry and spiritual apostasy, threatening the very existence of the covenant community. The exiles had just returned from Babylon, a consequence of their previous unfaithfulness, including idolatry. Ezra and the leaders perceived intermarriage as an existential threat to their renewed commitment to YHWH. While undeniably painful for the individuals involved, the action was seen as a radical surgical measure necessary to prevent the spiritual contamination and ultimate destruction of the entire nation, ensuring the preservation of the lineage and faith that would eventually bring forth the Messiah. It highlights the extreme measures God's people were sometimes called to take to maintain covenant fidelity in a unique historical period.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The rigorous demands for separation and purity in Ezra 10:43, while specific to the Old Covenant, find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The Old Testament's emphasis on external separation and ritual purity pointed forward to the deeper, internal spiritual purity achieved through Christ. We, as believers, are called not to separate from certain ethnic groups, but to be set apart from the world's sin and idolatry, becoming a holy people for God's own possession (e.g., [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Holy Nation")). Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ 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")), cleansing us from all unrighteousness and enabling us to truly repent and turn from sin. The New Covenant calls us to a radical obedience rooted in love for Christ, where our identity is found solely in Him, and our union with Him empowers us to live a life of holiness, free from the entanglements of sin that once separated us from God (e.g., [Romans 6:1-14](/romans/6-1 "Romans 6:1-14 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ")). The "putting away" of foreign wives in Ezra prefigures the spiritual "putting off" of the old self and its sinful practices, and the "putting on" of the new self, created in righteousness and holiness, through the power of the Holy Spirit (e.g., [Ephesians 4:22-24](/ephesians/4-22 "Ephesians 4:22-24 - Put Off the Old Self, Put On the New")). In Christ, we are truly purified and made part of a holy nation, a spiritual family united by faith, not by ethnic lineage or adherence to external laws alone.

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

Ezra 2:29

The children of Nebo, fifty and two.

Nehemiah 7:33

The men of the other Nebo, fifty and two.