Ezra 10:18

Authorized King James Version

And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּמָּצֵא֙

H4672

there were found

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בֶּן

H1121

And among the sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים

H3548

of the priests

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֹשִׁ֖יבוּ

H3427

that had taken

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

נָשִׁ֣ים

H802

wives

a woman

נָכְרִיּ֑וֹת

H5237

strange

strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

בֶּן

H1121

And among the sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יֵשׁ֤וּעַ

H3442

of Jeshua

jeshua, the name of ten israelites, also of a place in palestine

#10

בֶּן

H1121

And among the sons

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#11

יֽוֹצָדָק֙

H3136

of Jozadak

jotsadak, an israelite

#12

וְאֶחָ֔יו

H251

and his brethren

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

#13

מַֽעֲשֵׂיָה֙

H4641

Maaseiah

maasejah, the name of sixteen israelites

#14

וֶֽאֱלִיעֶ֔זֶר

H461

and Eliezer

eliezer, the name of a damascene and of ten israelites

#15

וְיָרִ֖יב

H3402

and Jarib

jarib, the name of three israelites

#16

וּגְדַלְיָֽה׃

H1436

and Gedaliah

gedaljah, the name of five israelites

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Ezra Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?