Question 1

What does Ezra 10:28 mean?

Accepted Answer

Ezra 10:28 lists four men—Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai—who are identified as sons of Bebai. This verse is part of a record naming individuals involved in a particular event during Ezra’s time. Ezra 10:28 appears in a section where Ezra, a priest and scribe, is addressing the issue of Israelites who had married foreign wives, which was against the community’s religious laws. The verse simply names these four descendants of Bebai as part of a larger list of families who were found in this situation and were being called to account for it.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:28

Accepted Answer

בְּנֵי (bənê, H1121): This word means "sons" or "descendants." Here, it shows that Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai are being listed as part of the family line of Bebai, not necessarily his immediate children. בֵּבַי (Bebai, H893): This is a personal name, likely referring to a clan or extended family group. The mention of Bebai connects these men to a specific ancestral house, which was important for identity and accountability in ancient Israel.

Question 3

Why Ezra 10:28 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse helps clarify that the list in Ezra 10 is not random but organized by family groups, showing the communal and generational nature of the issue being addressed. By naming individuals and their family line, Ezra 10:28 emphasizes personal responsibility within the larger community, highlighting how actions affected not just individuals but entire family groups. This detail connects to the broader narrative in Ezra 10, where public confession and communal reform are central themes, helping the reader see how the restoration of the community involved specific people and families.

Ezra 10:28 (KJV)