King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:18 Mean?

Ezra 10:18 in the King James Version says “And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son o... — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Ezra 10:18 · KJV


Context

16

And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.

17

And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month.

18

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.

19

And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.

20

And of the sons of Immer; Hanani, and Zebadiah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives—the list begins with priests, the very leaders charged with teaching covenant law. Their violation was most serious, as they bore greater responsibility (James 3:1). The phrase vayimmatze'u (וַיִּמָּצְאוּ, 'were found') suggests investigative discovery, not voluntary confession.

Namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak—Jeshua (also called Joshua) was the high priest who returned with Zerubbabel (3:2). Finding violators in the high priestly family itself demonstrates how pervasive the problem was. Yet Ezra doesn't suppress this shameful detail, showing Scripture's unflinching honesty about leadership failure.

The four named priests—Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah—become public record of covenant violation. Their naming serves both as historical documentation and as warning that leadership doesn't exempt from accountability. The transparency teaches that God's standards apply equally to all, with leaders facing stricter judgment for violations.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jeshua (Joshua) the high priest appears prominently in Ezra-Nehemiah and Haggai-Zechariah as spiritual leader of the return. His sons' violation would have devastated the community and undermined priestly authority. Ancient Near Eastern cultures typically exempted elites from public shaming, but biblical law mandated equal justice (Leviticus 19:15). The public naming ensured accountability and warned future generations. These four priests would have been barred from temple service, losing their livelihood and identity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the violation by the high priest's own family teach about the universality of sin and need for accountability at every level?
  2. How should churches respond when senior leaders or their families are found in serious sin?
  3. What does Ezra's unflinching record of leadership failure teach about the importance of transparency in addressing sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּמָּצֵא֙1 of 16

there were found

H4672

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

בֶּן2 of 16

And among the sons

H1121

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

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים3 of 16

of the priests

H3548

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר4 of 16
H834

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

הֹשִׁ֖יבוּ5 of 16

that had taken

H3427

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

נָשִׁ֣ים6 of 16

wives

H802

a woman

נָכְרִיּ֑וֹת7 of 16

strange

H5237

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

בֶּן8 of 16

And among the sons

H1121

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

יֵשׁ֤וּעַ9 of 16

of Jeshua

H3442

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

בֶּן10 of 16

And among the sons

H1121

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

יֽוֹצָדָק֙11 of 16

of Jozadak

H3136

jotsadak, an israelite

וְאֶחָ֔יו12 of 16

and his brethren

H251

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

מַֽעֲשֵׂיָה֙13 of 16

Maaseiah

H4641

maasejah, the name of sixteen israelites

וֶֽאֱלִיעֶ֔זֶר14 of 16

and Eliezer

H461

eliezer, the name of a damascene and of ten israelites

וְיָרִ֖יב15 of 16

and Jarib

H3402

jarib, the name of three israelites

וּגְדַלְיָֽה׃16 of 16

and Gedaliah

H1436

gedaljah, the name of five israelites


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Ezra. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Ezra 10:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Ezra 10:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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