King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:31 Mean?

Ezra 10:31 in the King James Version says “And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Ezra 10:31 · KJV

Context

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.

33

Of the sons of Hashum; Mattenai, Mattathah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, The Harim (חָרִם, Charim, meaning "dedicated" or "consecrated") family ironically bears a name suggesting holiness yet produced covenant violators. Eliezer (אֱלִיעֶזֶר, "God is help") leads this list—the same name as Abraham's faithful servant and Moses' son, now associated with unfaithfulness. The name proclaims divine assistance, yet Eliezer sought help through pragmatic intermarriage rather than covenant obedience.

Malchiah (מַלְכִּיָּה, "Yahweh is king") appears repeatedly in these lists, indicating it was common name in post-exilic community. Each occurrence highlights the gap between confessing Yahweh's kingship and submitting to His covenant rule. Shemaiah (שְׁמַעְיָה, "Yahweh has heard") and Shimeon (שִׁמְעוֹן, "hearing") both derive from shama (to hear/obey), emphasizing covenant listening—yet these men failed to hear or obey the law prohibiting intermarriage. The verse ends mid-sentence, continuing in verse 32, creating literary suspense that mirrors the community's unresolved crisis.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Harim was a priestly family (1 Chronicles 24:8) with 1,017 members who returned (Ezra 2:39). That priests violated intermarriage prohibitions was especially grievous—they were meant to teach covenant law and model holiness. Priestly intermarriage endangered the sacrificial system itself, as priests with foreign wives would be ritually compromised. The 458 BC crisis threatened not just social cohesion but cultic purity essential to proper worship and atonement.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does priestly involvement in covenant violation teach about the danger when spiritual leaders compromise?
  2. How do the names emphasizing "hearing" (Shemaiah, Shimeon) challenge believers about the connection between hearing God's word and obeying it?
  3. In what ways might contemporary church leaders face temptations toward pragmatic compromise that others look to them to resist?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
וּבְנֵ֖י1 of 7

“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

חָרִ֑ם2 of 7

“of Harim”

H2766

charim, an israelite

אֱלִיעֶ֧זֶר3 of 7

“Eliezer”

H461

eliezer, the name of a damascene and of ten israelites

יִשִּׁיָּ֛ה4 of 7

“Ishijah”

H3449

jishshijah, the name of five israelites

מַלְכִּיָּ֖ה5 of 7

“Malchiah”

H4441

malkijah, the name of ten israelites

שְׁמַֽעְיָ֥ה6 of 7

“Shemaiah”

H8098

shemajah, the name of twenty-five israelites

שִׁמְעֽוֹן׃7 of 7

“Shimeon”

H8095

shimon, one of jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him

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 10:31 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 10:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 3:11Ezra 2:32Nehemiah 7:35

Places in This Verse

HarimSpecial Place · Modern: Al Haram · 32.19°N, 34.81°E7 verses across 2 books
View all places in Ezra 10 →

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