Ezra 10:27
And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.
Ezra 10:27 (KJV)
Context
Ezra 10 records Israel’s repentance after the Babylonian exile. The people, led by Ezra, dealt with intermarriage with foreign wives, which was contrary to God’s law. This verse is part of a list of families who had taken such wives. The list appears within a larger narrative of repentance, showing that the issue was widespread and required public action.
Meaning
The verse names six men from the family of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza. These names appear in a legal record, showing that each person was involved in the intermarriage issue. The list is not merely historical; it documents their participation in the community’s repentance. The names themselves do not carry special theological meaning, but their record demonstrates the personal and communal nature of turning back to God.
Biblical connections
Earlier, Ezra discovered that many Israelites had married foreign women, which was contrary to God’s law (Ezra 9:1-2). He led the people in national repentance, and they made a covenant to put away their foreign wives (Ezra 10:1-5). The names in this verse show that the family of Zattu took part in that covenant. Similar lists for other families appear in the surrounding verses, such as Ezra 10:26 and 10:28-29, indicating the widespread nature of the problem. This pattern shows that the whole community faced the same challenge and responded together.
Application
This verse reminds us that obedience to God often requires difficult decisions. The men listed were willing to separate from their foreign wives, despite the personal cost. Their example teaches that genuine repentance involves action, not just feeling sorry. When we recognize sin in our lives, we must take concrete steps to correct it, even when those steps are painful. The seriousness with which the post-exilic community treated covenant faithfulness challenges us to examine our own commitments and to act decisively when we fall short.
Reflection
The record of these names shows that repentance is both personal and communal. Each man is named, yet they acted together as a community. This encourages us to take our own obedience seriously while also supporting others in their walk with God. It also reminds us that God values faithfulness to Him above all else, and He honors those who choose to follow His commands. As we read this list, we can ask ourselves: are we willing to make hard choices for the sake of obedience, and are we helping others do the same?
