The leaders admitted their offense, took action to separate from sinful practices, and renewed their commitment to living in covenant faithfulness before the Lord.
Ezra 10:18-22 begins a list of priests who were found to have taken foreign wives. In these verses, the text says Among the sons of the priests who had married foreign wives were found of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib and Gedaliah (v. 18). This underscores that even those with special duties in the temple were not exempt from wrongdoing. The mention of Jeshua, a high priest functioning around 538 BC when the Jews returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple, shows how the people’s spiritual leadership was directly involved in the problem. This serious matter demonstrated the community’s susceptibility to neglecting God’s commands concerning intermarriage with pagan cultures (Deuteronomy 7:3). By naming the individuals, Ezra holds them accountable, emphasizing that God expects holiness for all who would serve Him, regardless of their position.
The text then describes the action these priests took to rectify their error: They pledged to put away their wives, and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their offense (v. 19). This verse highlights two important points. First, the priests recognized their guilt and actively committed to removing the source of transgression, choosing obedience to God’s covenant over their own desires. Second, the offering of a ram for their offense recalls the sacrificial system wherein genuine repentance and confession preceded a ritual sacrifice (Leviticus 5:14-19). Here, the priests sought atonement through a sin offering, reaffirming their dependence on God’s mercy and reestablishing their covenant faithfulness.
The next verse in this section states, Of the sons of Immer there were Hanani and Zebadiah (v. 20). The house of Immer was one of the priestly families entrusted with significant duties in the temple service (see 1 Chronicles 24:14). By specifically listing more names, the passage underlines that this breach of the law was not isolated to a single line of priests. It shows that spiritual lapses can spread quickly within a community if not swiftly addressed. The importance of thorough repentance is implied—every group implicated needed to confess, separate themselves from sin, and resolutely follow God’s standard.
Continuing the list, Ezra records: and of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah (v. 21). Harim was also among the priestly line returning from exile, emphasizing again that all segments of spiritual leadership had become entangled in the same rebellious pattern. These priests were intended to exemplify holiness and instruct the people in God’s ways (Malachi 2:7). Their failure to honor the covenant regarding marriage exposed a vulnerability to adopting foreign customs. Such behavior polluted the integrity of Israel’s worship and risked spiritual compromise, something Ezra addressed directly to preserve the identity and faith of God’s restored people.
Finally, the text lists those from another priestly family: and of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad and Elasah (v. 22). Pashhur’s line, like the others, had a solemn responsibility to stand before the Lord on behalf of the people. By naming these several individuals, Ezra’s narrative showcases transparency and justice: every person found in sin needed to repent, make a vow to correct the violation, and offer the necessary sacrifice. These men had to demonstrate brokenness over their disobedience, laying the foundation for restored fellowship with God and a renewed commitment to the covenant. God’s holiness demanded thorough cleansing, a process that included the most prominent families in society.
Ezra 10:18-22 together illustrate a comprehensive repentance from among the priesthood after Ezra’s reforms, demonstrating that true community revival requires every leader and member to align themselves with God’s commandments.
Ezra 10:18-22
List of Offenders
18 Among the sons of the priests who had married foreign wives were found of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib and Gedaliah.
19 They pledged to put away their wives, and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their offense.
20 Of the sons of Immer there were Hanani and Zebadiah;
21 and of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel and Uzziah;
22 and of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad and Elasah.
Set to dark mode
Ezra 10:18-22 meaning
Ezra 10:18-22 begins a list of priests who were found to have taken foreign wives. In these verses, the text says Among the sons of the priests who had married foreign wives were found of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib and Gedaliah (v. 18). This underscores that even those with special duties in the temple were not exempt from wrongdoing. The mention of Jeshua, a high priest functioning around 538 BC when the Jews returned from Babylon to rebuild the temple, shows how the people’s spiritual leadership was directly involved in the problem. This serious matter demonstrated the community’s susceptibility to neglecting God’s commands concerning intermarriage with pagan cultures (Deuteronomy 7:3). By naming the individuals, Ezra holds them accountable, emphasizing that God expects holiness for all who would serve Him, regardless of their position.
The text then describes the action these priests took to rectify their error: They pledged to put away their wives, and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their offense (v. 19). This verse highlights two important points. First, the priests recognized their guilt and actively committed to removing the source of transgression, choosing obedience to God’s covenant over their own desires. Second, the offering of a ram for their offense recalls the sacrificial system wherein genuine repentance and confession preceded a ritual sacrifice (Leviticus 5:14-19). Here, the priests sought atonement through a sin offering, reaffirming their dependence on God’s mercy and reestablishing their covenant faithfulness.
The next verse in this section states, Of the sons of Immer there were Hanani and Zebadiah (v. 20). The house of Immer was one of the priestly families entrusted with significant duties in the temple service (see 1 Chronicles 24:14). By specifically listing more names, the passage underlines that this breach of the law was not isolated to a single line of priests. It shows that spiritual lapses can spread quickly within a community if not swiftly addressed. The importance of thorough repentance is implied—every group implicated needed to confess, separate themselves from sin, and resolutely follow God’s standard.
Continuing the list, Ezra records: and of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah (v. 21). Harim was also among the priestly line returning from exile, emphasizing again that all segments of spiritual leadership had become entangled in the same rebellious pattern. These priests were intended to exemplify holiness and instruct the people in God’s ways (Malachi 2:7). Their failure to honor the covenant regarding marriage exposed a vulnerability to adopting foreign customs. Such behavior polluted the integrity of Israel’s worship and risked spiritual compromise, something Ezra addressed directly to preserve the identity and faith of God’s restored people.
Finally, the text lists those from another priestly family: and of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad and Elasah (v. 22). Pashhur’s line, like the others, had a solemn responsibility to stand before the Lord on behalf of the people. By naming these several individuals, Ezra’s narrative showcases transparency and justice: every person found in sin needed to repent, make a vow to correct the violation, and offer the necessary sacrifice. These men had to demonstrate brokenness over their disobedience, laying the foundation for restored fellowship with God and a renewed commitment to the covenant. God’s holiness demanded thorough cleansing, a process that included the most prominent families in society.
Ezra 10:18-22 together illustrate a comprehensive repentance from among the priesthood after Ezra’s reforms, demonstrating that true community revival requires every leader and member to align themselves with God’s commandments.