King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:30 Mean?

Ezra 10:30 in the King James Version says “And of the sons of Pahathmoab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh.” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezra 10:30 · KJV

Context

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,

32

Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And of the sons of Pahath-moab; Adna, and Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezaleel, and Binnui, and Manasseh. The Pahath-moab (פַּחַת מוֹאָב, Pachath-Mo'av, "governor of Moab") clan listed eight violators—the largest single-family count in this section. The family name itself ironically recalls Moabite connections, now actualized through forbidden marriages. Bezaleel (בְּצַלְאֵל, "in the shadow of God") shares name with the Spirit-filled craftsman who built the tabernacle (Exodus 31:2), yet this Bezaleel built covenant-compromising household.

Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, "causing to forget") bears the name of Joseph's son and later Israel's most idolatrous king. The name means "God has made me forget my trouble," but here represents forgetting covenant obligations in comfort. Maaseiah (מַעֲשֵׂיָה, "work of Yahweh") and Mattaniah ("gift of Yahweh") emphasize divine action, while Benaiah ("Yahweh has built") echoes construction imagery—all describing men whose lives should manifest divine workmanship yet instead demonstrated human compromise. The eight offenders from Pahath-moab reveal how deeply intermarriage had penetrated even prominent families.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pahath-moab was among the largest returning families with 2,812 members (Ezra 2:6), explaining the high number of violators. Their family name ("governor of Moab") may indicate ancestral leadership role in Moab or marriage connections pre-dating the exile. Eight violations from this influential clan would have significantly impacted community example. The 458 BC crisis occurred because intermarriage led to idolatrous worship being introduced into Israelite homes, exactly fulfilling the warnings of Deuteronomy 7:4: "they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods."

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Bezaleel sharing a name with the Spirit-filled tabernacle builder challenge believers about whether their lives reflect divine craftsmanship or human compromise?
  2. What does Manasseh's name ("causing to forget") teach about the danger of prosperity and comfort causing spiritual amnesia regarding covenant obligations?
  3. In what ways do large, influential families today face unique pressures and temptations toward compromise that affect entire communities?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וּמִבְּנֵ֛י1 of 11

“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

פַּחַ֥ת2 of 11
H0
מוֹאָ֖ב3 of 11

“of Pahathmoab”

H6355

pachath-moab, an israelite

עַדְנָ֣א4 of 11

“Adna”

H5733

adna, the name of two israelites

וּכְלָ֑ל5 of 11

“and Chelal”

H3636

kelal, an israelite

בְּנָיָ֤ה6 of 11

“Benaiah”

H1141

benajah, the name of twelve israelites

מַֽעֲשֵׂיָה֙7 of 11

“Maaseiah”

H4641

maasejah, the name of sixteen israelites

מַתַּנְיָ֣ה8 of 11

“Mattaniah”

H4983

mattanjah, the name of ten israelites

בְצַלְאֵ֔ל9 of 11

“Bezaleel”

H1212

betsalel, the name of two israelites

וּבִנּ֖וּי10 of 11

“and Binnui”

H1131

binnui, an israelite

וּמְנַשֶּֽׁה׃11 of 11

“and Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

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 10:30 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 10:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 2:6Nehemiah 7:11Ezra 8:4

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