King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:25 Mean?

Ezra 10:25 in the King James Version says “Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and...” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.”

Ezra 10:25 · KJV

Context

23

Also of the Levites; Jozabad, and Shimei, and Kelaiah, (the same is Kelita,) Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.

24

Of the singers also; Eliashib: and of the porters; Shallum, and Telem, and Uri.

25

Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah.

26

And of the sons of Elam; Mattaniah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, and Abdi, and Jeremoth, and Eliah.

27

And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah. This verse begins the detailed roster of Israelites who took foreign wives, starting with the sons of Parosh (פַּרְעֹשׁ, Par'osh, meaning "flea" or "dividing"). Seven men from this prominent family violated the covenant prohibition against intermarriage with pagan peoples. Each name reveals theological irony: Malchiah (מַלְכִּיָּה) means "Yahweh is king," yet he failed to submit to divine kingship by marrying outside covenant boundaries.

The list functions not merely as administrative record but as public confession and permanent memorial. These names were inscribed in Scripture as warning against covenant compromise. The inclusion of Benaiah (בְּנָיָה, "Yahweh has built") among transgressors underscores the tragedy—men whose very names testified to Yahweh's faithfulness now stood accused of undermining the holy community through syncretistic marriages that threatened Israel's distinct covenant identity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The family of Parosh was among the largest returning from exile (2,172 members, Ezra 2:3), making their compromised members' particularly significant. As influential leaders, their intermarriages set dangerous precedent. The public naming served both judicial and pedagogical functions in 458 BC post-exilic Judah, where maintaining ethnic-religious boundaries was existential necessity against cultural absorption into surrounding paganism.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the inclusion of names meaning "Yahweh is king" and "Yahweh has built" among offenders illustrate the gap between profession and practice?
  2. What does the public nature of this confession teach about accountability in faith communities?
  3. How can believers today maintain distinct covenant identity while avoiding legalistic isolation from surrounding culture?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וּמִֽיִּשְׂרָאֵ֑ל1 of 10

“Moreover of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִבְּנֵ֣י2 of 10

“of 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

פַרְעֹ֡שׁ3 of 10

“of Parosh”

H6551

parosh, the name of our israelite

רַ֠מְיָה4 of 10

“Ramiah”

H7422

ramjah, an israelite

וְיִזִּיָּ֤ה5 of 10

“and Jeziah”

H3150

jizzijah, an israelite

וּמַלְכִּיָּ֖ה6 of 10

“and Malchiah”

H4441

malkijah, the name of ten israelites

וּמִיָּמִ֣ן7 of 10

“and Miamin”

H4326

mijamin, the name of three israelites

וְאֶלְעָזָ֔ר8 of 10

“and Eleazar”

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

וּמַלְכִּיָּ֖ה9 of 10

“and Malchiah”

H4441

malkijah, the name of ten israelites

וּבְנָיָֽה׃10 of 10

“and Benaiah”

H1141

benajah, the name of twelve 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 10:25 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 10:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 2:3Nehemiah 7:8

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