Ezra 10:43
Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah.
Original Language Analysis
מִבְּנֵ֖י
Of the sons
H1121
מִבְּנֵ֖י
Of the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 9
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Historical Context
The 'sons of Nebo' clan appears only here in Scripture. Whether they descended from a pre-exilic Israelite named Nebo or adopted the name in Babylon, their association with the pagan deity's name combined with their intermarriage guilt suggests they'd become particularly assimilated to Babylonian culture. The list's organization by family clans (priests first, 10:18-22; then Levites, 10:23-24; then laypeople by clan, 10:25-43) shows the mixed marriage problem pervaded all social strata—no group was immune to the compromise.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the clan name 'sons of Nebo' (a pagan deity) reveal about the depth of cultural assimilation among exiled Jews?
- How does the problem's presence across all social strata (priests, Levites, laypeople) demonstrate the pervasiveness of compromise?
- In what ways do contemporary Christians face similar pressures toward cultural assimilation that compromise theological distinctiveness?
Analysis & Commentary
Of the sons of Nebo; Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jadau, and Joel, Benaiah—בְּנֵי נְבוֹ (benei Nevo, sons of Nebo) identifies a family clan. The irony of this clan name is striking: נְבוֹ (Nevo, Nebo) was the Babylonian deity of wisdom and writing (Isaiah 46:1), also Mount Nebo where Moses died viewing the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:1). Whether the clan name predated the exile or reflects Babylonian influence, men from this clan committed the very sin Ezra condemns—religious syncretism symbolized by marrying women who worship foreign gods.
The seven names listed—יְעִיאֵל (Ye'iel, 'God sweeps away'), מַתִּתְיָה (Mattityah, 'gift of Yahweh'), זָבָד (Zavad, 'endowed'), זְבִינָא (Zevina, 'bought/purchased'), יַדָּו (Yaddav, perhaps 'he will know'), יוֹאֵל (Yo'el, 'Yahweh is God'), and בְּנָיָה (Benayah, 'Yahweh has built')—contain multiple theophoric elements, again showing these were covenant-conscious men who nonetheless compromised. The detailed enumeration ensures every guilty party is documented, fulfilling the investigative commission's work (10:16).