Ezra 10:22
And of the sonnes of Pashur: Elioenai, Maasiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Iozabad and Elasah. Ezra 10:22 (KJV)
The book of Ezra records a pivotal moment in Israel’s history when the people were returning from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. During the exile many had intermarried with foreign women, a practice that violated the covenantal law given to Israel and threatened the distinct identity of God’s chosen people. Ezra 10 confronts this reality head‑on, describing how the community, upon recognizing the seriousness of the sin, entered into a solemn covenant to put away foreign wives and the children born of those unions. This act of separation was intended to restore obedience to God’s statutes and to re‑establish the nation’s fidelity to the covenant.
In verse 22 the focus narrows to a specific family line: the sons of Pashur. Pashur is identified in the genealogical records as a priest who returned with the exiles and whose name appears among the families listed for the rebuilding effort. The verse names six of his descendants—Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethaneel, Jozabad, and Elasah—who were willing to participate in the covenant of separation. While the passage does not attribute special theological significance to these names, it does highlight that real, individual commitment was present within the broader communal response.
The inclusion of these names serves several purposes. First, it personalizes the larger narrative of repentance, showing that concrete individuals stepped forward to obey God’s command. Second, it underscores the collective nature of the reform: the covenant was not merely a theoretical decree but was enacted by families and persons across the community, including the priestly line of Pashur. Finally, the verse reminds contemporary readers that true repentance involves tangible action—renouncing sin, even when it entails painful personal loss, in order to honor God’s covenant.
Overall, Ezra 10:22 illustrates the earnestness of those who chose fidelity over convenience. The descendants of Pashur stand as a testament to the power of repentance and obedience, encouraging believers today to examine their own lives for areas where separation from sin is required in order to walk faithfully with the Lord.
