Ezra 10:29
And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.
Ezra 10:29 (KJV)
Context
The book of Ezra records the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem under King Cyrus’s decree. In Ezra chapter 10 the community discovers that many had taken foreign wives, a practice prohibited by the Law of God. In response the people entered into a covenant to separate themselves from those foreign wives and their children, demonstrating a collective turn toward obedience.
Meaning
This verse lists six men from the family line of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Ramoth. The KJV rendering of the final name is Ramoth, while many modern translations read Jeremoth. The names themselves are not explained further in the text; their presence in the list is the primary fact. By naming these individuals, the passage underscores their personal commitment to the covenant and highlights the seriousness with which the community addressed the breach of the law.
Bani was a family or clan within the Israelite nation, and the six names represent distinct groups of descendants within that clan. The verse therefore serves both as a historical record of who was involved and as a testimony to the willingness of these men to obey God’s command despite the personal cost. The family of Bani appears again later in the chapter (Ezra 10:34), showing that multiple members of this family were involved in the reform.
Biblical connections
The surrounding context (Ezra 10:10-11) explains that Ezra the priest confronted the people about their disobedience in marrying foreign women, calling them to repent and separate from these wives. The listing of these specific names indicates that these men were among those who confessed their sin and participated in the covenant to put away their foreign wives. The verse’s significance lies not in the men’s individual deeds but in their inclusion in this public record of repentance and restoration.
Application
Lessons drawn from this verse include:
Obedience to God’s commands – The named individuals recognized the importance of adhering to divine law and willingly separated from their foreign wives, illustrating that true devotion may require difficult decisions.
Repentance and restoration – The broader context shows a spirit of repentance; the people acknowledged their sin, made a covenant, and took concrete steps to rectify it, teaching us the value of sincere confession and seeking reconciliation with God.
The consequences of disobedience – The need to put away foreign wives reveals the danger of compromising faith through relationships that draw one away from God. It warns believers to guard against influences that can lead to spiritual drift.
Application today calls each believer to prioritize obedience, to repent promptly when sin is recognized, and to remain vigilant against compromising influences. While the specific historical situation differs, the principles of faithful obedience, heartfelt repentance, and guarding one’s spiritual integrity remain timeless.
