Ezra 10:38 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:38 mean?

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.

The Hebrew behind Ezra 10:38

• 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.

Why Ezra 10:38 matters

• 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.