Ezra 10:27

Commentary on Ezra 10:27

Ezra 10:27 is part of a significant list in the book of Ezra, detailing the names of men who had taken foreign wives and, in an act of communal repentance, agreed to put them away. This verse specifically names six individuals from the "sons of Zattu" (a prominent family or clan among the returning exiles) who were involved in this widespread issue: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza.

Context

The book of Ezra chronicles the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild the temple and the community. After the temple's reconstruction, Ezra, a priest and scribe, arrived in Jerusalem and discovered a serious problem: many of the people, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the surrounding pagan peoples, violating God's clear commands against such alliances (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This intermarriage threatened the spiritual purity and distinct identity of Israel, potentially leading them back into idolatry, which had been a major cause of their exile.

Upon learning of this, Ezra was deeply distressed and offered a heartfelt prayer of confession and lament (see Ezra 9). Moved by Ezra's anguish and the gravity of the sin, the people responded with genuine repentance. They made a solemn covenant to put away their foreign wives and the children born of these unions, recognizing it as a necessary step to restore their relationship with God and purify the community (Ezra 10:3). Chapters 9 and 10 of Ezra detail this painful but crucial reform, with Ezra 10:18-44 providing the lengthy list of those identified in this process.

Key Themes

• Obedience and Purity: The primary theme is the community's commitment to spiritual purity and strict obedience to God's covenant laws. The intermarriage issue was seen as a direct threat to Israel's identity as a holy people set apart for God.
• Repentance and Reform: The listing of names, including those in Ezra 10:27, underscores the concrete and painful steps taken in collective repentance. It highlights a difficult but necessary reform for the nation's spiritual well-being.
• Covenant Fidelity: This passage emphasizes the importance of maintaining fidelity to God's covenant. The people understood that their future blessing depended on living in accordance with the terms of their agreement with the Lord.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sons of Zattu" (Hebrew: בְּנֵי זַתּוּא, b'nei Zattu) indicates a specific lineage or clan. In ancient Israel, tribal and family identities were paramount, especially after the exile, as they sought to re-establish their land claims and social order. The names themselves are typical Hebrew names; for example, Elioenai means "unto the Lord are my eyes" or "my eyes are toward the Lord," reflecting common themes of devotion and reliance on God in ancient Hebrew nomenclature.

Practical Application

While the specific context of foreign wives is culturally bound to ancient Israel, the underlying principles of Ezra 10:27 remain highly relevant for believers today:

• Commitment to God's Standards: This passage reminds us of the importance of living according to God's revealed will, even when it demands costly personal sacrifices.
• Purity and Separation: Believers are called to be "separate" from worldly influences that could compromise their faith and devotion to God (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). This is not about ethnic separation but spiritual distinction.
• The Nature of Repentance: True repentance often involves concrete actions and a willingness to dismantle sinful patterns, even if those actions are painful or challenging. The individuals named in Ezra 10:27 were part of a collective effort to set things right before God.
• Community Accountability: The corporate nature of this reform in Ezra highlights the importance of spiritual accountability within the faith community.

Ezra 10:27, though a mere list of names, represents a crucial moment of spiritual purification and renewed commitment to God's covenant in post-exilic Israel. It speaks to the seriousness with which the community took their call to holiness.