Ezra 10:38

And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,

Ezra 10:38 (KJV)

Context

Ezra 10:38 appears in a long list of names in Ezra 10:18-44. These are Israelites who, after the exile, had married foreign wives. Under Ezra’s leadership, they covenanted to separate from those marriages in obedience to God’s law. The verse names Bani, Binnui, and Shimei as part of this public record.

Meaning

At first glance, this verse seems to be only a genealogical fragment. Yet it is embedded in one of the most sobering chapters in Ezra. The returning exiles had fallen into the grave sin of intermarrying with surrounding pagan nations, threatening the spiritual purity and covenant faithfulness of God’s people. This was the same kind of unfaithfulness that had led to the Babylonian exile. When Ezra discovered the compromise, he tore his garments, wept, and prayed a deep confession for the nation (Ezra 9:3-15).

The community then instituted a rigorous process of reform. Strict obedience to God’s law became a visible demonstration of renewed devotion. They understood that mere outward sorrow was insufficient; true repentance required concrete, difficult actions. The leaders initiated a systematic investigation to identify those who had compromised. The list in Ezra 10 is the official public record of those found guilty but who were stepping forward to make things right.

The names Bani, Binnui, and Shimei are not just historical footnotes. They represent real individuals and families who had compromised with the world but were now part of a painful yet necessary process of spiritual purification. This demonstrates that God’s dealings with His people are highly personal. Corporate revival is made up of individual repentance. God keeps a record of those who return to Him. While this is a list born out of transgression, it is also a list of restoration—these men did not hide their sin but allowed their names to be recorded as those who submitted to the rigorous demands of God’s holiness.

Biblical connections

The names Bani and Binnui appear elsewhere in Ezra and Nehemiah, sometimes referring to different individuals. For example, a Binnui is listed as a son of Pahath-moab in Ezra 10:30, and another Binnui is a Levite who had charge of the silver and gold vessels brought back from Babylon (Ezra 8:33). This reminds us that the same name can refer to different people, and the genealogical details matter for understanding the community’s history.

Application

For the modern believer, this list serves as a powerful reminder of personal accountability. Sin cannot be dealt with in vague generalities; it must be named and confronted specifically. The commitment of these men to separate from cultural compromises highlights the calling of God’s people in every generation to be holy and distinct from the surrounding culture. We are called to examine our own lives, identify where we have allowed the world to dilute our devotion, and take decisive action to return to the Lord.

Reflection

God’s grace is evident even in this stern record. These men, though guilty, were willing to be publicly identified and to take costly steps toward restoration. Their example encourages us to trust that God welcomes those who turn back to Him, no matter how public or painful the process may be.