King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:29 Mean?

Ezra 10:29 in the King James Version says “And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.”

Ezra 10:29 · KJV

Context

27

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

28

Of the sons also of Bebai; Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai , and Athlai.

29

And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth.

30

And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.

31

And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And of the sons of Bani; Meshullam, Malluch, and Adaiah, Jashub, and Sheal, and Ramoth. The Bani (בָּנִי, Bani, meaning "built" or "builder") family produced six violators. Meshullam (מְשֻׁלָּם, "repaid" or "restored") appears frequently in post-exilic records, his name suggesting divine restoration—yet he undermined that restoration through syncretistic marriage. Adaiah (עֲדָיָה, "Yahweh has adorned") bore name celebrating divine beautification of His people, yet adorned himself with pagan wife who would corrupt household worship.

Jashub (יָשׁוּב, "he will return") carries prophetic significance—the remnant who returned (shub) from exile were meant to return (shub) to covenant faithfulness, yet Jashub returned to the very syncretism that caused the exile. Ramoth (רָמוֹת, "heights" or "high places") may evoke the idolatrous high places Israel was commanded to destroy—an ominous name for one introducing foreign religious influence through marriage. The six names from Bani create indictment of those who were being "built" by Yahweh yet allied themselves with covenant-breaking.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Bani was a large family with 642 members returning from Babylon (Ezra 2:10). Six offenders represented concerning proportion. The 458 BC context involved intense pressure from surrounding peoples to integrate through marriage. These weren't random romantic attachments but strategic alliances intended to secure economic and political position in hostile environment. Nehemiah's later reforms (Nehemiah 13:23-27) show the problem persisted, with children of mixed marriages unable to speak Hebrew—demonstrating the cultural assimilation these marriages produced.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Jashub's name ("he will return") teach about the irony of physical return from exile without spiritual return to covenant obedience?
  2. How does the name Meshullam ("restored") challenge believers about whether God's restoration in their lives produces corresponding faithfulness or merely comfortable complacency?
  3. In what areas might contemporary Christians undermine God's work of spiritual "building" through compromising relationships or alliances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וּמִבְּנֵ֖י1 of 8

“And 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

בָּנִ֑י2 of 8

“of Bani”

H1137

bani, the name of five israelites

מְשֻׁלָּ֤ם3 of 8

“Meshullam”

H4918

meshullam, the name of seventeen israelites

מַלּוּךְ֙4 of 8

“Malluch”

H4409

malluk, the name of five israelites

וַֽעֲדָיָ֔ה5 of 8

“and Adaiah”

H5718

adajah, the name of eight israelites

יָשׁ֖וּב6 of 8

“Jashub”

H3437

jashub, the name of two israelites

וּשְׁאָ֥ל7 of 8

“and Sheal”

H7594

sheal, an israelite

יְרָמֽוֹת׃8 of 8
H3406

jerimoth or jeremoth, 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 10:29 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 10:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 2:10Nehemiah 7:15Nehemiah 10:4

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