Now there were found some of the sons of the priests who had married foreign women: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah, some of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse subtly reveals that even those closest to spiritual leadership, like the sons of the High Priest, weren't immune to the widespread compromise. Their involvement highlights how deeply the issue had infiltrated the very community meant to uphold God's law, showing that no one was above scrutiny in this reformation.
Now there were found some of the sons of the priests who had married foreign women: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah, some of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following a profound assembly where the people confessed their sin of intermarrying with foreign women, Ezra and the leaders begin the difficult task of addressing these transgressions. This verse specifically names priests, including relatives of the high priest Jeshua, who were found to have violated the covenant by marrying non-Israelite women, highlighting that even spiritual leaders were implicated in the widespread disobedience. The listing of these names, and many others that follow, serves to publicly identify the offenders and sets the stage for their repentance and prescribed offerings.
You might expect the priests, the spiritual leaders, to be the most faithful. But this verse reveals a painful truth: even those closest to God can fall.
This verse names specific individuals, sons of the high priest Jeshua, who had married foreign women. This wasn't just a minor slip-up; it was a significant breach of the covenant laws designed to keep Israel spiritually pure.
Leadership's Impact
Ezra doesn't just mention 'some priests.' He names names. Why is this so significant, and what does it tell us about accountability?
The specific naming of Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah serves a critical purpose in Ezra's historical account. It underscores the reality and seriousness of the sin, and it emphasizes personal responsibility.
Naming the Sin
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Understand the original words
ben · Hebrew Noun
Individuals who are descendants of the tribe of Levi, specifically the house of Aaron, dedicated to leading the people in worship and maintaining the holiness of the sanctuary.
The intermarriage issue Ezra confronted was not a new problem but a deep-seated one, involving the very families of the high priest, indicating the significant challenge of maintaining covenant faithfulness even among spiritual leaders after the return from exile.
c. 538 BC
Return from Babylonian Exile
The first wave of Jewish exiles, led by Zerubbabel, returned to Jerusalem after the decree of Cyrus the Great. This marked the beginning of rebuilding the Temple and re-establishing community life.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Commission and Return to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and priest, received royal commission from Artaxerxes I to return to Jerusalem. He led a group of exiles, bringing with him religious teachings and resources to restore the Law.
c. 458 BC— this verse
Ezra Confronts Intermarriage
Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Ezra was horrified to learn that many of the returned exiles, including prominent priests and leaders, had married foreign women, violating Mosaic Law and threatening the covenant community's identity.
c. 458 BC
Public Confession and Covenant Renewal
Ezra led a great assembly in Jerusalem where the people confessed their sin of intermarriage. They entered into a solemn covenant to put away their foreign wives and children.
c. 444 BC
Nehemiah's Return and Reforms
Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls. He also continued Ezra's reforms, addressing social injustices and further enforcing the separation from foreign influences, including intermarriage.
This passage describes a similar situation where Nehemiah confronts people, including priests, for marrying foreign women, showing this was a recurring issue that threatened the people's covenant identity.
Deuteronomy 7:1-4This foundational law explicitly warns against intermarriage with foreign nations, laying out the spiritual danger that Ezra and Nehemiah were trying to correct, highlighting the 'why' behind the reform.
Leviticus 21:7This verse specifically addresses the holiness required of priests, stating they must marry women from their own people, directly connecting the actions in Ezra 10:18 to a violation of priestly responsibilities.
Zechariah 3:3The imagery of Joshua the high priest standing in filthy garments, which commentators link to the sin prevalent in his family during Ezra's time, visually represents the defilement caused by these marriages.
pulpitEzra 10:18: "And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah."
Verse 18. - Joshua the son of Jozadak is, undoubtedly, the high priest of chs. 3. and 5. Four members of his family had committed the sin (compare Nehemiah 13:28).
pooleEzra 10:18: "And among the sons of the priests there were found that had taken strange wives: namely, of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren; Maaseiah, and Eliezer, and Jarib, and Gedaliah."
No text from Poole on this verse.
This verse subtly reveals that even those closest to spiritual leadership, like the sons of the High Priest, weren't immune to the widespread compromise. Their involvement highlights how deeply the issue had infiltrated the very community meant to uphold God's law, showing that no one was above scrutiny in this reformation.
Following a profound assembly where the people confessed their sin of intermarrying with foreign women, Ezra and the leaders begin the difficult task of addressing these transgressions. This verse specifically names priests, including relatives of the high priest Jeshua, who were found to have violated the covenant by marrying non-Israelite women, highlighting that even spiritual leaders were implicated in the widespread disobedience. The listing of these names, and many others that follow, serves to publicly identify the offenders and sets the stage for their repentance and prescribed offerings.
Following a profound assembly where the people confessed their sin of intermarrying with foreign women, Ezra and the leaders begin the difficult task of addressing these transgressions. This verse specifically names priests, including relatives of the high priest Jeshua, who were found to have violated the covenant by marrying non-Israelite women, highlighting that even spiritual leaders were implicated in the widespread disobedience. The listing of these names, and many others that follow, serves to publicly identify the offenders and sets the stage for their repentance and prescribed offerings.
"Now there were found some of the sons of the priests who had married foreign women: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah, some of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers." — This verse subtly reveals that even those closest to spiritual leadership, like the sons of the High Priest, weren't immune to the widespread compromise. Their involvement highlights how deeply the i…
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Last reviewed October 2026