Ezra 10:18 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:18 mean?

Ezra 10:18 states that some of the sons of the priests, specifically from the family of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers, were found to have married "strange wives," meaning women from outside Israel. This verse lists the names of a few of these priests who had taken such wives.

Ezra 10:18 comes in the context of a public investigation led by Ezra after the return from exile, where the community is addressing the issue of intermarriage with foreign women, which was seen as a violation of their covenant. The verse specifically points out that even priestly families, who were expected to set an example, were involved, naming Jeshua’s descendants and his brothers Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:18

• "Strange" (נָכְרִי, nokhrí): This word refers to someone foreign or from outside the Israelite community. Its use here emphasizes that these marriages were not just with non-local people, but with those considered outside the covenant community.
• "Wives" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): This is the standard Hebrew word for "wives" or "women," making it clear that the issue was marriage, not just casual association.
• "Sons" (בֵּן, ben): Used both for the sons of the priests and the sons of Jeshua, this word highlights the generational aspect and the family lines involved, showing that the problem affected key priestly families.

Why Ezra 10:18 matters

• Ezra 10:18 shows that the issue of marrying foreign women was not limited to ordinary Israelites but included the priestly families, highlighting the seriousness and reach of the problem.
• By naming specific individuals, the verse underscores the transparency and accountability of the process, showing that even leaders were not exempt from correction.
• This verse connects to the larger theme of Ezra 9–10, where the community is called to renew its commitment to the covenant and separate from practices seen as compromising their identity.