Adaiah עֲדָיָ֫הוּ

Male H5718K 1 book

A leader who married a foreign wife

Who is Adaiah in the Bible?

Adaiah was a descendant of Bani who lived during the post-exilic period of Israel and is mentioned in Ezra 10:29 as one of the men who had married foreign women. During Ezra's religious reform, which took place after the return from Babylonian exile, these marriages were considered violations of God's law, and Adaiah was among those called to separate from their foreign wives. His inclusion in the list of men who pledged to put away their wives demonstrates his commitment to repentance and obedience to the covenant law during this critical period of spiritual renewal for the restored Jewish community.

Biography

Adaiah is mentioned in the book of Ezra as one of the men who had married foreign women during the post-exilic period (Ezr.10.29). He was among the descendants of Bani, a group that is listed along with other families who had taken foreign wives.

During this time, Ezra, a priest and scribe, led a religious reform that required the Israelites to separate themselves from the foreign wives they had married, as these marriages were considered a violation of God's law (Ezr.10.10-11).

Adaiah's name appears in the list of men who pledged to put away their foreign wives and children, demonstrating his commitment to follow Ezra's call for repentance and obedience to the law.

No additional details are provided about Adaiah's personal life, his specific role within the community, or the consequences he faced in separating from his foreign wife. His inclusion in the list serves to highlight the widespread nature of the issue and the collective response of the people to Ezra's reform.

In Scripture

1 biblical book ; 1 with study content
Ezra 1 verse
  • Ezra 10:29

    "From the descendants of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth."

    Study Ezra →

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew עֲדָיָ֫הוּ