Azarel עֲזַרְאֵל
One of those who married foreign women during Ezra's time
Who is Azarel in the Bible?
Azarel was an Israelite man mentioned in Ezra 10:41 who had married a foreign woman during the period following the return from Babylonian captivity. After Ezra discovered that many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with neighboring peoples in violation of God's commands, he called for a public assembly to address the issue. Azarel was among those who confessed this sin and agreed to separate from his foreign wife as part of the community's recommitment to maintaining ritual purity and obedience to God's law. His inclusion in this account illustrates the broader struggle of the post-exilic community to preserve their identity and religious integrity after captivity.
Biography
Azarel is mentioned in Ezra 10 as one of the men who had married foreign women during the time of Ezra. After the return from Babylonian captivity, Ezra discovered that many Israelites, including priests and Levites, had intermarried with the neighboring peoples, going against God's commands. Ezra called for an assembly and urged the people to confess their sin and separate themselves from their foreign wives. Azarel is listed among those who had taken foreign wives and pledged to put them away. This event demonstrates the importance of maintaining the purity and identity of the Israelite community, as well as the need for repentance and obedience to God's laws.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentEzra 1 verse
- Ezra 10:41
"Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עֲזַרְאֵל |