King James Version

What Does Ezra 10:40 Mean?

Ezra 10:40 in the King James Version says “Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Machnadebai: or, Mabnadebai, according to some copies” — study this verse from Ezra chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Machnadebai: or, Mabnadebai, according to some copies”

Ezra 10:40 · KJV

Context

38

And Bani, and Binnui, Shimei,

39

And Shelemiah, and Nathan, and Adaiah,

40

Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Machnadebai: or, Mabnadebai, according to some copies

41

Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,

42

Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Names in the Registry of Repentance

This verse appears in the midst of a solemn registry cataloging men who had married foreign wives contrary to God's covenant commands. The three names listed—Machnadebai, Shashai, and Sharai—represent real individuals who faced the painful choice between their unlawful marriages and covenant faithfulness. The Hebrew text preserves these names without elaboration, giving them a stark, documentary quality that underscores the gravity of the situation.

Each name represents a family torn apart by the demands of holiness. Machnadebai may derive from roots meaning "gift of the noble one," Shashai possibly meaning "noble" or "whitish," and Sharai meaning "Jehovah is deliverer." Ironically, these men whose very names spoke of nobility and divine deliverance had compromised their covenant identity through forbidden marriages.

The listing of individual names rather than collective statistics emphasizes personal accountability before God. Each person must answer for their own choices, and corporate repentance requires individual confession. These names, preserved in Scripture for millennia, stand as witnesses to both Israel's failure and their willingness to make painful corrections when confronted with God's law.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Crisis of Intermarriage in Post-Exilic Israel

Following the Babylonian exile (586-538 BC), Jewish returnees faced the challenge of rebuilding both their physical city and their spiritual identity. Under Ezra's leadership around 458 BC, the community discovered widespread violation of Deuteronomy 7:3's prohibition against intermarriage with surrounding peoples. This wasn't mere ethnic prejudice but a safeguard against idolatry—foreign wives often brought their gods with them, as Solomon's experience demonstrated (1 Kings 11:1-8).

The crisis threatened the very survival of Israel as God's covenant people. Having just returned from exile caused partially by religious syncretism, the community recognized they were repeating the sins that had brought judgment. Ezra led a public confession and reformation requiring the dissolution of these marriages—a heart-wrenching decision affecting entire families. The detailed lists in Ezra 10, including verse 40, served as public records of those who complied, demonstrating transparency and accountability in the repentance process.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does Scripture preserve the individual names of those who sinned rather than simply recording statistics?
  2. What does this passage teach about the relationship between personal holiness and community covenant faithfulness?
  3. How should we balance compassion for human relationships with obedience to God's clear commands?
  4. In what ways might modern believers compromise their spiritual identity through 'unequal yokes' (2 Corinthians 6:14)?
  5. What can we learn from Ezra's approach to corporate sin that applies to church discipline today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 3 words
מַכְנַדְבַ֥י1 of 3

“Machnadebai”

H4367

maknadbai, an israelite

שָׁשַׁ֖י2 of 3

“Shashai”

H8343

shashai, an israelite

שָׁרָֽי׃3 of 3

“Sharai”

H8298

sharay, an israelite

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 10:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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