Question 1

What does Ezra 10:38 mean?

Accepted Answer

Ezra 10:38 lists three individuals—Bani, Binnui, and Shimei—as part of a group being named in the context of a larger record. The verse is part of a detailed account of those involved in a significant event among the returned exiles in Jerusalem. This verse appears in a section where Ezra is documenting the names of men who had taken foreign wives, which was a matter of concern for the community's faithfulness to their covenant. The list serves as a historical record, showing the thoroughness with which the community addressed the issue and the individuals who were part of this process.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:38

Accepted Answer

בָּנִי (Bani, transliterated "Bani") — This name means "built" or "building," and it identifies one of the individuals listed. The repetition of this name in similar lists suggests it may have been a common name or referred to more than one person. בִּנּוּי (Binnui, transliterated "Binnui") — This name means "built up" or "posterity." Its inclusion shows the personal nature of the record, emphasizing individual responsibility. שִׁמְעִי (Shimei, transliterated "Shimei") — This name means "heard" or "hearing." Like the others, it highlights the personal accountability of those named.

Question 3

Why Ezra 10:38 matters

Accepted Answer

The verse highlights the careful documentation and transparency of the community’s efforts to address a spiritual and social issue, showing that individual names and actions were recorded. By listing specific people, Ezra 10:38 connects the broader narrative to real individuals, making the account more concrete and relatable for later generations. The verse underscores the seriousness with which the returned exiles took their covenant obligations, as even seemingly minor details like name lists were preserved in Scripture.

Ezra 10:38 (KJV)