Ezra 10:42

Commentary on Ezra 10:42 (KJV)

Ezra 10:42 simply lists three names: "Shallum, Amariah, [and] Joseph." This concise verse is part of a longer register found in Ezra 10:25-43, detailing the men who had taken foreign wives and were required to put them away according to the covenant made with God.

Context

The book of Ezra chronicles the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem and their efforts to rebuild the temple and re-establish their community under God's law. Chapter 10 marks a critical turning point following a period of great distress and confession. Ezra had learned that many of the returnees, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the peoples of the land, contrary to God's explicit commands (e.g., Deuteronomy 7:3-4). This sin threatened the spiritual purity and distinct identity of Israel, potentially leading them back into idolatry and assimilation, which was precisely what had led to their Babylonian exile in the first place.

In response to Ezra's profound grief and prayer, the people entered into a solemn covenant to confess their sin and separate themselves from their foreign wives and children. Ezra 10:42, therefore, names individuals like Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph as part of this collective act of repentance and obedience. Their inclusion in this list signifies their participation in this difficult, yet necessary, act of spiritual purification.

Key Themes

• Repentance and Obedience: The listing of these names underscores the personal commitment required for national repentance. It highlights the serious nature of the people's sin and their willingness to take drastic steps to obey God's law, even when it involved painful personal sacrifice.
• Purity of the Covenant Community: The central theme of Ezra 10 is the preservation of Israel's spiritual distinctiveness. The intermarriages threatened the integrity of the covenant people, and the drastic measures taken were to ensure that Israel remained a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes.
• Consequences of Disobedience: The chapter serves as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of failing to adhere to God's commands, particularly regarding separation from pagan influences. The need for such a list signifies a breakdown that required firm restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's use of "[and]" in brackets indicates that this word is not present in the original Hebrew text but was added by the translators for clarity and flow in English. The names themselves are Hebrew and carry meaning:

• Shallum (שַׁלּוּם - Shallum): Means "recompense" or "peace."
• Amariah (אֲמַרְיָה - Amariah): Means "Jehovah has said" or "God has promised."
• Joseph (יוֹסֵף - Yosef): Means "He (God) will add."

While the meanings of these individual names are not directly tied to the narrative of Ezra 10:42 itself, they reflect the common practice of naming children with theological significance in ancient Israel.

Practical Application

While the specific command regarding intermarriage with foreign nations does not apply in the same way to believers under the New Covenant (where the focus is on not being unequally yoked with unbelievers), the principles behind Ezra 10 remain highly relevant:

• Commitment to God's Word: We are called to uncompromising obedience to God's revealed will, even when it demands personal sacrifice or goes against cultural norms.
• Spiritual Purity: Believers are to maintain spiritual purity and distinctiveness from the world. This involves guarding against influences that compromise faith and devotion to God.
• Decisive Repentance: True repentance involves not just acknowledging sin but taking concrete, often difficult, steps to turn away from it and align one's life with God's standards.
• Accountability: The public listing of names, though perhaps uncomfortable, highlights the importance of individual accountability within the community of faith.

Ezra 10:42, though a simple list of names, stands as a testament to the profound and often painful process of national and personal repentance necessary to restore a right relationship with God.