Ezra 10:28
Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Bebai's family counted 623 members who returned from exile (Ezra 2:11). Four violations from this clan, while fewer in absolute numbers than larger families, represented significant portion given their size. The post-exilic community (458 BC) struggled with maintaining boundaries against Ammonite, Moabite, and Canaanite populations. Deuteronomy 7:3-4 and 23:3-6 explicitly prohibited such intermarriages because they inevitably led to idolatry—precisely what threatened the fragile restored community.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the repeated "grace" names (Jehohanan, Hananiah) challenge believers about presuming on divine mercy while persisting in disobedience?
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between experiencing God's gracious deliverance and demonstrating grateful obedience?
- In what ways might modern Christians take grace for granted while neglecting covenant faithfulness in relationships and lifestyle choices?
Analysis & Commentary
Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai. The Bebai (בֵּבַי, Bebay, possibly meaning "fatherly" or "paternal") family listed four offenders. Jehohanan (יְהוֹחָנָן, "Yahweh is gracious") heads the list, his name proclaiming divine grace while his actions spurned covenant mercy by marrying outside Israel. The irony cuts deep—experiencing Yahweh's gracious restoration from exile, yet showing no corresponding gratitude through obedience.
Hananiah (חֲנַנְיָה, "Yahweh has been gracious") doubles the grace emphasis, suggesting perhaps these were brothers or close relatives whose names commemorated divine favor during exile or return. Yet grace received without responsive faithfulness produces presumption, not holiness. Zabbai (זַבַּי, "gift" or "endowment") and Athlai (עֲתְלַי, possibly "Yahweh is exalted") complete the roster, each name a testimony to divine blessing now associated with covenant violation. The fourfold list from Bebai creates cumulative weight of evidence against a family that should have modeled covenant loyalty.