And of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah, and Benaiah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the previous verses list priests and Levites involved in this massive repentance, Ezra 10:25 pivots to "Israel," highlighting that this wasn't just a religious elite issue. The names from the "sons of Parosh" signify that ordinary families, the backbone of the community, were also confessing and turning from their unfaithfulness.
And of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah, and Benaiah.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a lengthy list detailing individuals who confessed to marrying foreign women, a transgression against God's covenant. Following the listing of priests and Levites who had committed this offense, Ezra and the community now turn to enumerate the men from the broader population, referred to as "Israel" or the laity, who also need to address this sin. This section highlights the widespread nature of the problem, extending beyond the religious leadership to the everyday people of Judah.
When we think of biblical reforms, our minds often go to the leaders. But Ezra's list here points to something much bigger.
This verse, and the longer list it's part of, is so much more than just a roll call. It’s detailing the commitment of ordinary Israelites – the 'laity' as some called them – alongside the priests and Levites.
Why list so many names? These aren't random people; these family names connect us to the very beginning of Israel's journey.
The names of the families mentioned in Ezra 10, like 'Parosh' in this verse, aren't new to the people reading this. They are echoes from the very early days of Israel's return from exile.
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Understand the original words
yisra'el · Hebrew Noun
The covenant people of God, descended from Jacob, set apart as a nation to be a light to the nations and keepers of the oracles of God. It signifies belonging to the community of the faithful under God's law.
This verse lists some of the 'ordinary' Israelite men, distinguishing them from the priests and Levites mentioned earlier in the chapter. Their inclusion highlights that the crisis of intermarriage affected all levels of society during Ezra's reform efforts after the return from Babylonian exile.
597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and many prominent citizens, including Ezekiel, were exiled to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling more Judeans. This event profoundly impacted Jewish identity and religious practice.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian king Cyrus conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands.
538 BC
Cyrus' Decree and First Return of Exiles
Cyrus issued a decree permitting the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This led to the first major wave of returnees, led by Zerubbabel.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
The Temple in Jerusalem was completed and rededicated, a crucial moment for the restored community's religious life.
c. 458 BC— this verse
Ezra's Commission and Return to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and priest, was commissioned by the Persian king Artaxerxes I to lead a group of exiles back to Judah to teach the Law and reform the community.
This passage also lists the descendants of Parosh, showing this family group's presence among those returning from exile and their participation in rebuilding the community.
Nehemiah 7:8Nehemiah's census of the returning exiles also includes the sons of Parosh, demonstrating the continuity of these family lines and their involvement in the post-exilic community.
Ezra 9:1-2This verse immediately precedes the lists of those who had intermarried with foreign women, highlighting the spiritual crisis that prompted these confessions and the subsequent reforms detailed in Ezra 10.
Ezra 10:18-19These verses list the sons of priests who had married foreign women, contrasting with Ezra 10:25 which lists the lay Israelites, showing the widespread nature of the problem across different social strata of the community.
clarkeEzra 10:25: "Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah."
Moreover of Israel - That is, as Calmet observes, simple Israelites, to distinguish them from the priests, Levites, and singers, mentioned in Ezra 10:18 , Ezra 10:23 , Ezra 10:24 .
bensonEzra 10:25: "Moreover of Israel: of the sons of Parosh; Ramiah, and Jeziah, and Malchiah, and Miamin, and Eleazar, and Malchijah, and Benaiah."
Ezra 10:25 . Moreover of Israel — Of the people of Israel, distinguished from the priests and Levites hitherto named, who before, Ezra 10:9 , were called Judah and Benjamin.
While the previous verses list priests and Levites involved in this massive repentance, Ezra 10:25 pivots to "Israel," highlighting that this wasn't just a religious elite issue. The names from the "sons of Parosh" signify that ordinary families, the backbone of the community, were also confessing and turning from their unfaithfulness.
This passage is part of a lengthy list detailing individuals who confessed to marrying foreign women, a transgression against God's covenant. Following the listing of priests and Levites who had committed this offense, Ezra and the community now turn to enumerate the men from the broader population, referred to as "Israel" or the laity, who also need to address this sin. This section highlights the widespread nature of the problem, extending beyond the religious leadership to the everyday people of Judah.
This passage is part of a lengthy list detailing individuals who confessed to marrying foreign women, a transgression against God's covenant. Following the listing of priests and Levites who had committed this offense, Ezra and the community now turn to enumerate the men from the broader population, referred to as "Israel" or the laity, who also need to address this sin. This section highlights the widespread nature of the problem, extending beyond the religious leadership to the everyday people of Judah.
"And of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Hashabiah, and Benaiah." — While the previous verses list priests and Levites involved in this massive repentance, Ezra 10:25 pivots to "Israel," highlighting that this wasn't just a religious elite issue. The names from the "…
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Last reviewed October 2026