And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,

EZRA 10:39KJV
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Ezra 10:39 (KJV)

What does Ezra 10:39 mean?

Ezra 10:39 lists three individuals—Shelemiah, Nathan, and Adaiah—as part of a larger group being named in this chapter. The verse is part of a record of people involved in a significant event during Ezra’s leadership, specifically those who had taken foreign wives and were now being identified in a public list.

In the context of Ezra 10, the priest and scribe Ezra is addressing the issue of Israelites who had married women from surrounding nations, which was seen as a violation of their covenant. This verse is one line in a detailed list of names, showing the thoroughness and seriousness with which the community dealt with this matter. Each name represents a real person involved in the reforms taking place at that time.

Where else these words appear

“Adaiah” Hebrew H5718 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:21 And Adaiah, and Beraiah, and Shimrath, the sons of Shimhi;
  • Ezra 10:29 And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.

“Shelemiah” Hebrew H8018 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 26:14 And the lot eastward fell to Shelemiah. Then for Zechariah his son, a wise counsellor, they cast lots; and his lot came out northward.
  • Nehemiah 13:13 And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren.
  • Jeremiah 37:3 And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.

“Nathan” Hebrew H5416 · used in 39 verses

  • 2 Samuel 5:14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,
  • 1 Kings 1:8 But Zadok the priest, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and Nathan the prophet, and Shimei, and Rei, and the mighty men which belonged to David, were not with Adonijah.
  • 1 Chronicles 3:5 And these were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shimea, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, four, of Bathshua the daughter of Ammiel: